
Haggai, along with Zechariah and Malachi, is one of the three prophets of the Restoration Period. Their ministry took place in the closing years of the Old Testament after the exiles had returned to Jerusalem and were seeking to rebuild their temple and their nation. They found themselves back in a Jerusalem where things had changed beyond all recognition. These were difficult and challenging days. This was, ‘the day of small things,’ as Haggai’s contemporary Zechariah described it.
Over time the remnant of God’s people became discouraged and gradually lost sight of the reason they had returned home in the first place. But God still had his plans and purposes for His people and they would learn through Haggai’s ministry that the LORD was still with them.
Message Points:
- Diagnosing the Problem
- Prescribing the Remedy
Application Questions:
- How important is it to get our priorities right? (Matthew 6:33 & Philippians 2:21)
What tasks are there that we need to face up to?
What excuses are we making for delay? - What role does thinking about the our past play in spiritual renewal?
(look at Lamentations 3:40, Luke 15 17-20 & 2 Corinthians 13:5) - What can we do practicality in these challenging days as a church or as individuals to more effectively bear witness to God’s presence among His people and to point others to the faith and hope the Gospel brings?