Outcomes for Haggai
I am with you, fear not
Haggai delivered four prophetic messages to the first group of exiles after the building of the temple, (Stronghold) was halted for 16 years by the enemies of Judah and Benjamin, (see Ezra 4: 4-6:22.). When the temple building was stopped, the exiles started building their own houses and some including the priests intermarried with the pagan women and got children with them. During the reign of King Darius of Persia, Haggai prophesied strength for the exiles to restart rebuilding the temple, led by Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest. The rebuilding of their strongholds was completed through the prophetic words of Haggai and Zechariah, who emphasized that pure worship is offered on God’s terms, not ours.
Haggai delivered the four prophetic messages within a four-month period as follows.
- His final message was personally for Zerubbabel; he promised him that the rebuilding of the temple was not by might nor by power but by the Holy Spirit
- Israel’s crops have not been blessed because God’s house was left in ruins. He encouraged them to get timbers and start rebuilding
- God encouraged the first-generation returnees who found the new temple disappointing compared to Solomon’s original temple. He gave them the picture of the future temple (Jesus) with greater glory
- He promised to lift the curse from their crops and to bless them from that time after they obey.