THE BOOK OF

OT/NT:

SECTION: Minor Prophets (10 of 12)

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Haggai

KEY PEOPLE: Haggai, Joshua, , people of and those returning from Exile.

SUMMARY: Canonically, Haggai is the thirty-seventh book of the Holy (1), the thirty-seventh book of the Old Testament (2) and the tenth of (3) books. Haggai is the first of three post-exilic prophets, followed by Zechariah (4) and (5). He was raised up by God to encourage His people to finish construction on the new Temple.

In 586 BC, the had been destroyed. In 538 BC, King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jews to return to return to their homeland to rebuild it. Under the leadership of Ezra (6) and Nehemiah (7), work on the had begun shortly after the exiles' arrival. While this group of dedicated worshipers made an admirable and ambitious start, they lost sight of their purpose and priorities. Opposition and apathy brought their efforts to a grinding halt. An inordinate focus on "self" has a way of do- ing that.

Haggai steps onto the scene as a voice to urge and encourage them to get back on track. The timeless truth of seeking first the Kingdom, and all these other things shall be added unto you, is true today as it was then (Matthew 6:33). (a)

While the new temple didn't meet their expectations, their efforts and faithfulness would be blessed. They could also be encour- aged by God's promise to build a New Jerusalem for His international Kingdom, defeat evil, and live in their midst. Future contain more details about when these promises would be fulfilled. (b)

COMING UP: Next up is the (8). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES: (1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-word-of-god (2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament (3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/ot-minor-prophets (4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/zechariah (5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/malachi (6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/ezra (7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/nehemiah (8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/zechariah

PAGE SOURCES: (a) https://thefoundersbible.com/ (b) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/haggai/

http://www.downriverdisciples.com/haggai