If you want to encourage your people to obey God’s Word with unity and without delay, then preach Haggai to remind them of God’s promised presence.
3. Haggai reminds us not to be discouraged by outward appearance as the best is yet to come.
After the people obeyed, the reality of rebuilding sinks in. The new temple will not be like the old. For those who’d seen the original temple built by Solomon, this version pales into insignificance. It will be smaller, lacking in the grandeur and glory of the past. It will seem as nothing in their eyes (2:3).
Why labor for this? This is depressing and discouraging. But the LORD assures the workers, “In a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. . . . The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts.” (2:6–9a).
In other words, don’t let looks deceive you. Sure, the second temple looks unimpressive, but God is doing a greater work than mere physical renovation. The LORD will receive greater glory by filling his house with redeemed treasures from every tribe, nation, and tongue. Jews and Gentiles will eventually come and worship in a new temple.
We live in a day of small things, where gospel labor seems to bear little fruit compared to past revival meetings and reformation. In this context, we may be tempted to despair and lose heart. But preaching Haggai reminds us not to focus on external realities but to trust in the LORD. Our labor in the LORD is never in vain. God will surely receive greater glory—and the best is yet to come.
4. God’s kingdom will be established through a great servant.
Haggai closes with a special word to governor Zerubbabel as he leads the rebuilding efforts. Zerubbabel will be made God’s chosen servant and he will make him like a signet ring (2:23). While the governor will indeed play an influential role in the 6th Century BC temple rebuild, there is greater gospel significance in these verses (2:20–23).
Simply put, these fresh promises build on God’s earlier covenant with David, that one of his descendants would establish a throne forever (2 Sam. 7:13–16). After Israel’s backsliding, Babylonian exile, and only a minority of Jews returning, one might be tempted to think God’s promises are now null and void.
Haggai reaffirms that God is still working out his promises—and from our vantage point, we know these are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Servant, the King of kings. King David and Zerubbabel are both included in the Messianic line (Mt. 1:1–17), but it’s Jesus who comes to establish and build an eternal kingdom that will never be shaken (Heb. 12:18–29).
So even in this small obscure work hidden amid the minor prophets, we see that Haggai points us to the coming of Jesus Christ. He is the greater Zerubbabel, God’s chosen servant and signet ring. Jesus will establish a greater temple through the sacrifice of his own body (Jn. 2:19–21)—and treasures from all the nations will be redeemed and ultimately bring glory to God (Rev 21:24).
So, in summary, why preach on Haggai?
It challenges our love of comfort and urges kingdom service
It reminds us of God’s presence when His people obey
It encourages us not to focus on outward appearance and to wait upon the LORD, for the best yet to come
It points us to the coming of Jesus Christ, who establishes an unshakable kingdom and a temple for all nations to glorify God.
Commentaries and Other Helps
Gareth Crossley’s The Old Testament Explained and Applied provides concise and helpful background information, insights, and themes connecting Haggai with the promised coming of Jesus. Likewise, Iain Duguid’s EP Study Commentary provides an accessible resource for preachers and lay people, encouraging the study of Haggai from a Christological perspective.
For more technical commentaries dealing with exegetical issues, consider Pieter Verhoef’s contribution in the NICOT series or Thomas E. McComiskey’s 3-volume series on the Minor Prophets, where Alec Moytner contributes to the chapter dealing with Haggai.
This article originally appeared here.
