Haggai 2:1-9 – Study Leader’s Questions 1. Who does Haggai speak to in Haggai 2:2? 2. What discouraged them to the point of stopping the building (Haggai 2:3)? 3. What was the message for them as found in Haggai 2:4? 4. Why does the Bible stress the need for God’s people to be strong and courageous (Hag- gai 2:4)? 5. Is faith just about forgetting difficulties? 6. What does he i.e. God say that might encourage them (Haggai 2:5)? 7. How might the words ‘My Spirit is abiding in your midst’ make a big difference in their lives? 8. How does the Lord encourage these disappointed believers (Haggai 2:6-8)? 9. What importance does money have to God (Haggai 2:8)? Why does the Bible talk about ‘giving’ so often? 10. What does God say that can bring hope to their building project (Haggai 2:9)? 2 Haggai 2:1-9 – Answers to Questions See Dr Ruckman’s commentary Minor Prophets Volume II Habakkuk – Malachi pp 185-187, 247-258 and the Ruckman Reference Bible pp 1211 for detailed comment and additional in- formation. 1. Who does Haggai speak to in Haggai 2:2? He speaks to everyone because “the word of the LORD” Haggai 2:1, an expression which occurs 258 times in scripture, is equally for everyone regardless of individual standing, station or status, kings, priests, people, both in Israel and indeed for everyone on earth because everyone equally needs to hear it. That was certainly King Josiah’s de- sire of whom 2 Kings 23:25 states “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him,” Jeremiah’s desire of whom God said “I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” and Paul’s desire, of whom God said “he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name be- fore the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” Acts 9:15. “And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD” 2 Kings 23:2. “And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD” 2 Chronicles 34:30. “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD” Jeremiah 22:29. “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing” 1 Thessalonians 1:8. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” 2 Thessalonians 3:1. “that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified” such that “from you sounded out the word of the Lord” such that in turn “in every place your faith to God- ward is spread abroad” is the ministry. 2. What discouraged them to the point of stopping the building (Haggai 2:3)? Some were living in the past, especially the old-timers. “But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy” Ezra 3:12. Note Solomon’s advice. “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this” Ecclesiastes 7:10. Note God’s admonition. “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:18-19. 3 Note Paul’s exhortation. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” Philippians 3:13-15. The lessons of the un-wisdom of living in past are: It has a demoralising effect on others, Haggai 2:3. It will not alter the present, Ecclesiastes 7:10. It offends God, Isaiah 43:18. It obscures what God is doing now, Isaiah 43:19. It hinders the fulfilment of God’s calling, Philippians 3:13-15. The only thing that should be retained from the past is “all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD” 2 Chronicles 34:30, or should be, according to Jeremiah 6:16, the problem being in the last part of the verse especially with the Lord’s people today who have no time for the 1611 Authorized King James Holy Bi- ble. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” 3. What was the message for them as found in Haggai 2:4? It was to be strong “in the strength of the Lord GOD” Psalm 71:16 and, like “the word of the LORD” Haggai 2:1, it was the same for everyone, governor, high priest, people. “...now be strong...be strong...be strong...saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts” Haggai 2:4. The strength that God commanded for Haggai’s listeners is, as Haggai 2:4 indicates, only possible through the presence of the Lord Himself, as Moses urged Israel on their entry to “the land of promise” Hebrews 11:9. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” Deuteron- omy 31:6. The same exhortation is found undimmed and undiminished centuries later in Isaiah 41:10 for saints in both Testaments because “the word of the Lord endureth for ever” 1 Peter 1:25. Isaiah 41:10 should be memorised. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” The Church Age saint is in particular exhorted according to 2 Timothy 2:1, which should also be memorised. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” The Church Age saint’s strength today is “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 4 Grace is rightly defined as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. See Theological Studies No. 23 Law and Grace by Dr Peter S. Ruckman p 5. Acts 20:32 and 1 Corinthians 8:1 suggest a further definition. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sancti- fied.” “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” The terms “the word of his grace” and “charity” are closely associated, suggesting that “grace” is God’s willingness to award life-long charitable status to build up and strengthen any individual. “Grace” is certainly “the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8 and “no more of works” Romans 11:6. It is “the grace that is in Christ Jesus” for today’s believer that confers strength and/or the capacity to: Witness with power for the Lord Jesus Christ. “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Je- sus: and great grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33. “Cleave unto the Lord...with purpose of heart.” “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” Acts 11:23. Complete any God-given task the right way with the right attitude. “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled” Acts 14:26. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” 2 Corinthians 9:8.