Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Post-exilic Prophets
 Post-Exilic Period
Background provided by Ezra and Nehemiah
These two were involved in the rebuilding of
Jerusalem
Ezra provides also the background to the Scribal
office that developed in Judaism
It Ezra also who secured the Scriptures: the Old
Testament
 Post-Exilic Period

The development of Judaism through Hebrew

writings found in Babylon, the Babylonian Talmud
and the Jerusalem Talmud: Rabbinic collections of
Jewish laws and practices. It had the oral law in
the Mishna.
These developments lead to the fulfilment of the
Messianic birth and ministry of Jesus
 Background History

Three times taken into captivity and three Returns

to Jerusalem
First 538/537 BC
Second 458 BC
Third 445 BC
 Haggai
Haggai means “festal,” perhaps indicating that he was
born on some major feast day. His main challenge to the
remnant was to rebuild the Temple now that they were
back in Palestine after seventy years of captivity.
 Who Wrote Haggai?

“Haggai a prophet, a contemporary of Zechariah the

prophet and Zarubabbel the governor, is the author of
this book. This is supported by the claim of the book
(1:2, 13; 2:1, 20), its obvious unity of message, style,
and time, and an important historical reference in
Ezra (6:14). Both Jewish tradition and virtually every
critic concur” (Geisler, 291).
 Date of the Book
Haggai’s post-exilic
prophecies are the most
precisely dated in the
Old Testament. The
first message was given
on the first day of Elul
(Augus.-Sept.), 520
BC.
 Date of the Book
The second message was
delivered on the twenty-
first of Tishri (Sept.-Oct.),
520 BC.
The Last message came
on the twenty-fourth of
Chisleu (Nov.-Dec.) of the
same year” (Geisler, 292).
To Whom Did Haggai Write?

The remnant returned in about 538 BC and began

working to rebuild the Temple around 536 BC. But
discouragement and indifference set in and the site
lay idle for some sixteen years before God stirred
up the people through the prophetic ministries of
Haggai and Zechariah (cf., Ezra 5-6)
Where Were they Located?

Cyrus had decreed that the Jews could return to

Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1f). Over fifty thousand availed
themselves of this opportunity to return to the land
(Ezra 1, 8). They settled in and around Jerusalem
(Ezra 1:11; 7:7).
 Why Was Haggai Written?
Historical purpose
“Haggai wrote to exhort the returned remnant to rebuild the
Temple in Jerusalem
The doctrinal purpose
There are many lessons in Haggai: 1) God blesses His
people when they put Him first (cf., Mat 6:33); 2) when we
are in God’s service we should never “wear in well-doing”
(cf., Gal 6:19); 3) God’s promise for tomorrow is our hope
for today.
 Why Was Haggai Written?

Christological purpose
Our Lord is represented as the Restorer of the Temple’s
glory (2:7-9), the Overthrower of the kingdoms of this
world (2:22), and a signet ring for Israel (2:23)
 What Is Haggai About?

Haggai has for brief but potent words for the

remnant: a word: a word of reproof (1), a word of
support (2a), a word of blessing (2b), a word of
promise (2c).
 Outline

I. Neglect of the temple the cause of economic

depression (1:1-19)
II. A message of encouragement (2:1-9)
III. Obedience more important than sacrifice (2:10-
19)
IV. The overthrow of world kingdoms (2:20-23)
 Outline

I. The word of reproof (1)

II. The word of support (2:1-9)
III. The word of blessing (2:10-19)
IV. The word of promise (2:20-23)
 Outline
I. The word of reproof (1)
--about the Temple’s construction (Erul I, 520)
Haggai forcefully reminded the people that the Temple of the
Lord was unfinished (vv. 1-6), while they were settled snugly
in their paneled homes. The trouble of the people was
explained to be the result of this indifference to God’s house
(vv. 7-11). God had not blessed them domestically because
they forgotten Him spiritually. Due to the moving of God’s
Spirit in the hearts of the remnant, the testimony of the prophet
was heeded (vv. 12-15) and they resumed building the Temple.
 Outline
I. The word of support (2:1-9)
--about the Temple consolation (Tishri 21, 520)

But when the older generation who had seen the great and
glorious Temple of Solomon saw the much less spacious and less
splendorous Temple of Zerubbabel taking shape before their
eyes, Haggai was faced with perplexity of the people (1:3); this
Temple seemed unworthy in their eyes,. But Haggai provides a
promise from the Lord (vv. 4, 5) that God is with them in their
efforts, and adds a prediction about the future Temple (vv. 6-9)
that the splendor of this house shall be greater than the former.
 Outline

I. The word of blessing (2:10-19)

--about the temple’s security
Haggai reminded the people that perversity (evil) is
contagious (vv. 10-13) and that the people were
contaminated with it (vv. 14-17). But they began to
put God first, then the promise was certain (vv. 18,
19): “From this day on I will bless you,” said the
Lord.
 Outline
I. The word of promise (2:20-23)
--about the Temple’s strength (Chisleu 24, 540 BC)
One day in the future the heavens will be shaken (vv.
20, 21), the heathen will be overthrown (v. 22).
Zerubbabel the leader of the restored remnant is
singled out as a symbol of the Messiah to come. Thus
the promise of future blessings provided strength to
the Temple-centered hope of Israel’s remnant