Haggai

Prelude

This book was written after the Babylonian Exile or Captivity of the Hebrews, who were deported to Babylon in 586 BC by king Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was also captive. The Hebrews were under an United Kingdom until it was divided in 930 BC, when the ‘Southern Kingdom’ or Kingdom of Judah was formed. David became king over Judah in 1007 BC, and his line continued unbroken for the next 420 years, until the Kingdom fell in 586 BC to Nebuchadnezzar’s captain, Nebuzar-adan.

This was when the Davidic monarchy was ended, along with the first Temple. On the return of the Hebrews, many things changed, including the alphabet, rites and religion. We see the last of the great prophecies with Ezekiel, and from that time the Torah took a central part in Hebrew life. Instead of kings we then see the emergence of scribes and sages as leaders. The previous distinctive role of tribes was lost, and clans came into being, apart from the tribe of Levi, which remained intact.

With this new era, a large number of Jews began to live outside Israel. In a very real sense, then, this was a judgment by God upon His errant special people, who were now split up and discordant, never again to be triumphant as a military, religious, or political force. It is within this much-reduced era that Haggai wrote his book.

Today, we see similar dilutions of Christianity, at a time when Christians refuse to live up to their faith, and to honour God. For this reason we are all in spiritual exile.

The setting of this Book is one of a national call to the Hebrews, to arise from their spiritual sleep and to once again praise God and do His bidding. Only when they did this were they promised God’s undivided attention and help, not only with food and income, but with success against their enemies.

What, then, does this tell us about our current state in the world, where Christians are crushed underfoot, their efforts come to naught, and everything is turning to dust? It is obvious – we, too, are guilty of slumber! God has allowed us to suffer, if not come under His direct punishment. He called us many times but we resisted. Think not? Think the fault is with ‘others’? No, we are all guilty in some way or another. A few stand up to be counted, but most walk blindly and do nothing to oppose wickedness.

Once again, I call upon all believers to at last come awake! Start to oppose evil and praise God. Show the world what real Christians are made of. It is the one and only solution. How many will heed the call? Many tell me they are afraid of the consequences. My friends, do you think I am not afraid? Yet, I am compelled by my calling, and by the salvation freely given, to stand up and plainly speak what God says. Yes, I fear what can (and often does) happen to me, but if I do not speak out I am lower than the soil I stand on. I fear man, yes, but I fear God more. Do you? Fear is not an excuse for inaction and a refusal to stand with our Captain. He is the Lord of Hosts, not a minor private in the army!

I urge you all to rebuild the House of God in our time, to show the Church to be made up of people alive and true, faithful and sound, ready to show the world Who God really is, and what He demands. This Book is about the time of Haggai, and about our time, too.