The remnant back in the land: Who is the remnant?

Remember what we sang in Ezra? The remnant are the faithful Jews who went back to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after the exile. This message from Haggai is about 18 years after that.

Were making their houses grand: Is it wrong to fix up your house?

It is not wrong to fix up your house as long as you are not neglecting what God has asked you to do! God had asked them to rebuild His house first to make sure their time of worship was a priority. They had started to rebuild God’s house, which was called the temple, but faced opposition (people who did not want them to rebuild it and made it hard for them) so they quit. They were saying, “It is not time yet,” and were fixing up their own homes instead, and neglecting God’s house.

Haggai said, “It’s time,” Who is Haggai?

Haggai is a prophet who spoke God’s words to the Jewish remnant who came back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. He lived when Zerubbabel was the governor of Jerusalem.

Why did he say, “It’s time?”

He told them not to wait any longer but to rebuild God’s temple right away.

Build God’s house and see His blessing and His glory: Why did he say they would see God’s blessing and glory?

Since the people were not doing the most important thing, they were missing out on the blessings of God. God withheld rain that they needed for their crops and animals, to get their attention so they would listen to Him. If they would obey, God would bring blessing to their work.

They were also discouraged when they started rebuilding again because this temple was not as beautiful as the previous one that had been destroyed. Haggai encouraged them by reminding them that they may not see it looking grand now, but they were building for the future and God would one day bring great beauty (glory) again to this center of worship. Their work in faith and faithfulness was very important.

Preparing: God is helping and encouraging his people through whom the Savior will come to obey His law and make worship in the temple a high priority. The governor of Jerusalem, Zerubbabel, is called God’s signet ring. A signet ring is a symbol that shows family heritage. Zerubbabel was from the royal line of David. Zerubbabel’s grandfather was the King of Judah during the Babylonian captivity, which means he lost his kingship at that time. God is renewing his promise to his people that the Savior will come through the line of David.

Pictures: In Haggai 2:23 when the governor over Jerusalem, Zerubbabel is called God’s signet ring, he is a picture of the Savior who will lead his people in worshipping God.