The Restored Life: A Study of the Book of Haggai

Dec 19

The prophet Haggai, in 520 B.C.E., urges those who have returned from Babylonian exile, including Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, to rebuild the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Haggai blames their lack of prosperity on the fact that the temple still lies in ruins while they themselves live in paneled houses. The people are moved by Haggai’s prophecy to start rebuilding the temple. Through Haggai, the Lord promises to be with the people and to make this second temple greater than the first. Haggai’s book ends with a prophecy for Zerubbabel, a descendant of David. When the Lord defeats the nations, Zerubbabel will become like a “signet ring” on God’s hand; he will be the Lord’s chosen ruler.

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.

Haggai 2:9

Haggai gives us a glimpse into a critical period in Jewish history, when those who have returned from exile are struggling to reshape their identity as a people in the land of their ancestors. To help in forming that identity, Haggai looks to the past, evoking the Exodus from Egypt (2:5), and to the future–the vision of a glorious rebuilt temple. The book of Haggai give us a glimpse into what it is like to live as kingdom citizens in God’s new kingdom.

Read the Book of Haggai

Join us for this newest sermon series, beginning Sunday, January 7 at both Fellowship Memphis Campuses as we look at the Book of Haggai.