In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest[.] Haggai 1:1
As I wrapped my study yesterday of Zephaniah, I plunge ahead with the next book of the OT - Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:1. This single verse of text highlights who is in earthly power at the time - Darius as king, and Zerubbabel as governor of Judah. It also highlights how the Word of God is delivered through earthly vessels - in this instance the prophet Haggai. Excerpts from the commentary for this text:
- "In a sea of prophetic books that decry disobedience only to see the people of God brush off the admonition and continue in their sin, Haggai stands out as an encouraging light, an example of what can happen when God’s people listen to God’s word delivered through God’s prophet and experience God’s blessing."
- "Haggai was probably an older man, likely in his 70s at least. Haggai 2:3 indicates that Haggai may have seen the original temple, which would have enabled him to understand the significance of God’s call to rebuild the temple as well as the value of the temple. Haggai would have understood the importance of the land and the centrality of worship that were vital to the flourishing of God’s people. His awareness of this would surely lend weight to God’s message, as he would plead with the Israelite people to abandon their apathy and take up, once again, the work of rebuilding the temple. As for the dating of the book, we know that Haggai was part of the returning remnant that was being brought back to Jerusalem after King Darius’s decree in 538 BC. After living for years in captivity, the return to their land must have been quite energizing for the Israelite people."
- "The Persian government ruled over the people of Israel. After approximately 50,000 Israelites returned home, there was urgent concern for the temple and immediate effort made to rebuild it."
- After a 16 year hiatus where rebuilding was delayed, Haggai exhortations to the people of Israel led to the completion of the temple and more broadly Israel's obedience.
- "This book is the story of God’s people, and in many ways it’s the same story that we see of God’s people throughout all of Scripture. God has designed the world to work in a specific way. When the people of God disobey him by sinning, humanity is not able to flourish as God intended. This lack of human flourishing can be made right if the people repent and obey Him. The prophet, then, is God’s good gift to the people, calling them to repentance and obedience and sharing with them the hope of God’s blessing."
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your Word is perfect and useful for instruction, rebuking, correction, etc. Thank You for delivering every book of Your Word. I am not deserving of how You give me my salvation and Your Word. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
