Haggai 1

THE date of this Book is definitely fixed by its opening words. The actual year was the second year of Darius I, i.e., 520 B.C., and it was on the first day of the sixth month that Haggai began to deliver his message to Zerubbabel the governor of Jerusalem and to Joshua the high priest (i. 1).

Like Joel, he spoke in an unpromising time. Lethargy had fallen upon the people. Fifteen years before, the foundation of the Temple had been laid, under the leadership of the two men above mentioned, amid great rejoicing, after the return from the Captivity (Ezra iii. 6, 8-13). But there it stopped. The Samaritans, to whom Zerubbabel had refused permission to help in the building, set themselves to frustrate his purpose (Ezra iv. 4, 5). They invoked the help of king Artaxerxes, and the work was stopped (Ezra iv. 7-24).

But the opposition of the enemy was not the only cause. The early enthusiasm of the people had faded, and in its place were apathy and selfishness. It was against these forces that Haggai spoke. “The time is not come,” they said (i. 2). How often this has been a hindrance to progress, a barrier to religious and social reform! They could not build the house of God, but they dwelt in their own cielded houses (i. 4).

And their selfishness had not profited them (i. 6-11). They had much labour with little result (cp. Prov. xi. 24).

Haggai’s message was effective. The leaders and the people “obeyed the voice of the Lord their God,” and the building of the Temple was resumed (i. 12-15; cp. Ezra v. 1, 2). It was completed in about four years, and dedicated in the sixth year of Darius, 516 B.C. (Ezra vi. 14, 15). The faithfulness and fearlessness of the prophet had their reward.

Haggai not merely rebuked them for their selfishness and apathy, but continued to encourage the leaders and people to persevere. “Be strong and work, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts” (ii. 4). He puts before them the great privilege of building this new Temple, the glory of which was to be greater than that of the old one (ii. 9). Here is a prediction of the presence in it of the Messiah (cp. Luke ii. 22, 46).

And beyond the fulfilment in the earthly temple, there lies the fulfilment in the spiritual and enduring city of God, when the kings of the earth shall bring their honour and glory into it (cp. ii. 7, and note on this verse, with Rev. xxi. 22-24). So shall the shaking of the nations and the overthrow of despotisms (ii. 7, 22) lead to the world’s peace and the final establishment of the kingdom which cannot be shaken (cp. ii. 6, 21, with Heb. xii. 26-28).

I Darius the king. That is, the king of Persia, of whose empire Judea was a province. This Darius was the son of Hystaspis, and reigned 521-486 B.C. The events here referred to are related in Ezra v., vi.

In the sixth month. Of the Hebrew year, the month of Elul (Septuagint).

Josedech (Jehozadak). Josedech was son of Seraiah, the high priest who was slain when Jerusalem was taken: see 2 Kings xxv. 18-21.

4 for you, O ye. As a contrast to the spirit here condemned: see 1 Chron. xvii. 1; Psa. cxxxii. 1-5. ciled houses. Panelled; lined with timber.

5. Consider your ways.** Consider your past conduct and to what it has led you.

8 the mountain. To the hill country generally, whence timber could be obtained. It needed only that wood should be collected: the stones of the ruined Temple were still there lying “in every street” (Lam. iv. 1).

9. I did blow upon it.** R.V. marg., “I did blow it away.”

Y ye run every man unto his own house. You hasten forward your own buildings.

12 all the remnant of the people. The few who had returned to Judæa.

13. I am with you. To protect you from your enemies, and give you favour with the king, and success in your work: cp. Ezra v., vi.

15 in the four and twentieth day, etc. In less than a month after Haggai’s first message.