The Hubub of Haggai
INTRODUCTION:
Haggai comes
from the Hebrew word “Chag,” meaning “Feast,” and so Haggai means, “Festive.”
His name reminds us of the Feasts of the LORD and thus obedience to Torah by
keeping the Feasts and in some way, mostly though the sacrifices, Haggai’s name
leads us to the Temple and the Temple seems to be the theme of Haggai’s book.
He along with Zechariah encourages who was returning from exile in which
Zephaniah predicted.
Because of
Chapter two verse three, it appears Haggai was born before the destruction of
the Temple and thus may have been old enough to remember the Glory of Solomon’s
Temple before Nebuchadnezzar razed it in 586 BCE and if so, Haggai would have
been in his 70’s or 80’s after the writing of this book. Perhaps his age, death
may account for the brevity of his ministry and book.
Haggai was
written approximately 520 BCE and is the first of three post exilic books among
the 12 minor prophets in the Tanak (Zechariah and Malachi), Haggai is the
second shortest of the minor prophetic books and was a contemporary of
Zechariah.
Haggai is
mentioned by name twice in the book of Ezra, another longer prophetic book
which focuses on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and getting back to a
Torah Obedience which ultimately lead to revival.
Because of
the details given, being the 2nd year of the reign of King Darius of Persia
(520 BCE) who inherited Israeli captives from Babylon whom they conquered. The
events of this book can be dated more accurately than other prophecies in the
Scripture. If you will recall Daniel prophesied to King Nebuchadnezzar’s
grandson (Belshazzar) though the “hand writing on the wall” that the
Medo-Persians would conquer Babylon (Dan. 5).
Cyrus was
the king of Persia whom the ADONAI declared the time of Judah's return from
exile.
Ezra 1:1-4 Now in the first year of
Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might
be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he
made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and 4 put it also in writing,
saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me
all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at
Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God
be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the
house of the LORD God of Israel, he is the God, which is in Jerusalem. And
whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place
help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside
the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Darius was a
later successor to Cyrus as king of Persia. He reiterated Cyrus' original
decree at the time when the rebuilding of Jerusalem had started, but was not
yet completed.
Ezra 6:1-12 Then Darius the king made
a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures
were laid up in Babylon. And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is
in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: In
the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning
the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they
offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the
height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses
be given out of the king's house: And also let the golden and silver vessels of
the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at
Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the
temple which is at Jerusalem, everyone to his place, and place them in the
house of God. Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai,
and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far
from thence: Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the
Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. Moreover
I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building
of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the
river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for
the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according
to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them
day by day without fail: That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto
the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. Also I
have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled
down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his
house be made a dunghill for this. And the God that hath caused his name to
dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter
and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a
decree; let it be done with speed.
King Darius
gave the go ahead to restart the work of rebuilding the Temple (521 BCE).
Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the
house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the
reign of Darius king of Persia.
Haggai
ministered in 520 BCE between the months of August and December (Elul and
Keslev). During these four months Haggai delivered four messages that were
meant to do two things. Encourage and support Zerubbabel the Jewish governor
with whom the exiles returned and Joshua the High Priest and to encourage them
to organize and mobilize the people to build the Temple and to live a life
obedient to Torah. However, due to opposition by outside enemies and inside by
self-centeredness, all that was accomplished was the Temples foundation being
laid. Work on the Temple began again in 516 BCE but no one knows for sure
whether Haggai lived to see its completion.
Rambam and
Rashi said in reference to Perkei Avot 1:1 that Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi,
the last three prophets were among the 120 members of the “Great Assembly”
which led Israel during the 2nd Temple Era. It is said and believed that Ezra
headed this Assembly and among the leadership was Joshua the High Priest who
was Ezra’s nephew, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and others, some of which are recorded
in Ezra 2:1-2.
I have
entitled this commentary, “The Hubbub of Haggai” because when something of
great excitement occurs sometimes people ask, “What’s all the hubbub, Bub?”
Meaning, “What’s all the excitement?” Haggai’s name conjures excitement for his
name means festive. So what’s all the hubbub of Haggai? The excitement of the
opportunity to return from exile, rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem and get back
to living Torah Obedient lives. All this causes us to excitedly look forward to
the rebuilding of the 3rd Temple and the return of the Prophet, Priest and
King, Messiah Yeshua!
