The people’s despair

From today’s passage, Haggai’s second message begins. It is written, “On the twenty-first of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,” (v 1). (1) “The twenty-first day of the seventh month” is the final day of the week-long Feast of Booths (ref. Levi. 23:34-43). Normally, it is a time to celebrate the harvest, but since the harvest was poor, the people likely were heavy-hearted at the time. (2) Haggai’s second message came at such a time of discouragement, about three and a half weeks after the people had begun the rebuilding of the temple. Words of encouragement from the Lor were delivered to three groups: (1) Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah (political leader), (2) Joshua the high priest (religious leader), and (3) the remnant of the people (the general public).

Three questions

Three questions from the Lord describe the psychological state of those engaged in rebuilding the temple. “Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?” (v 3). (1) The first question asks who has seen Solomon’s temple. Solomon’s temple was destroyed in 586 BC. Its rebuilding began 66 years later (520 BC). Therefore, anyone 70 years or older would have seen Solomon’s temple. (2) The second question asks how those who survived view the temple that is in the process of being rebuilt. The word “this” reflects the perspective that it is not a different temple, but “one temple (the house of God).” (3) The third question is, “Does it not seem to you like nothing?” That is, compared with Solomon’s temple, they could only build something far inferior (ref. Ezra 3:8-13). Words of encouragement from God are delivered to the people whose hearts are discouraged (the content will be studied next time). We also need words of encouragement from God. A small number of Christians, evangelistic efforts that do not bear visible fruit no matter how much labor is invested, a weak church, and the stubborn hearts of unbelievers – any of these are enough to discourage us. Yet God encourages us: “Be strong. Get to work.”