Minor Prophets — Haggai
Haggai is the first prophet after the return of the Jewish remnant from the captivity in Babylon. He encourages the people to rebuild the temple after a lapse of fourteen years. “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built” (Haggai 1:2). They were more occupied with their own houses and interests than with the work of the Lord and His house. So the question is raised, “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste” (Haggai 1:4)?
We also have the confirmation of His presence and the assurance that His promises would not fail, in spite of their failure and indifference. “For I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so My spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not” (Haggai 2:4-5).
This book has a special lesson and warning for us in these “last days” of Christianity. We need to be stirred up as to maintaining the truth of the church, and rest on the Lord’s faithfulness and unchanging promises. He is faithful!
