Haggai
Please read the whole book of Haggai through, then go back to work on these questions. You may also want to read Ezra 1:1-6:22 for background:
- Haggai is one of just a few prophets for whom the text gives no genealogy and no location. What can we learn about who Haggai was from what he wrote? Do you think he was one of the returning exiles, or someone who had stayed in the land?
- Haggai 1:15 and 2:18 give specific dates for Haggais work. He prophesied during a short three-month period. Why do you think such specific dates were preserved? Why do you think the prophecy survived?
- According to James Petersens commentary, the period of Haggai and Zechariah was only the beginning of the return to autonomy for the province of Judea. How do we see the historical circumstances of his time reflected in Haggais prophecy?
- A major issue for Haggai is the building of the second Temple. How does he motivate the people to work on this? For more on his role, see also See also Ezra 3:8, 4:5, 4:24-5:5, 6:14.
- According to Douglas Jones commentary on Chapter 1, verse 6, Haggai wants his hearers to understand that they are coming under a Deuteronomic curse. He cites these verses in Deuteronomy as relevant: 28:38, 6:11, 8:10, 11:15, 10:18, 28:48. Jones also believes the descriptions in verses 10-11 reflect the language of Deuteronomy 11:17, 33:28, 7:13 and 11:14. How do you understand the connection between Haggais prophecy and Deuteronomy?
- Petersen remarks on the unusual nature of the book of Haggai. It contains prophecy, but it is made up of interplay between the prophets words and the peoples actions. In Haggai and elsehwere we find speeches of prophets integrated into something like historical narratives see Jeremiah 26 and 36, Jeremiah 37-41, and a similar passage in 2 Kings 22-23. What do you think of this mixture? Is the text more or less accessible than other prophets we have studied?
- In chapter 2, Haggai uses the idea of shaking in verses 6, 7 and 21. Similar language is found in Joel 2:10 and 4:16, as well as several places in Isaiah, including Isaiah 13:13. How do you understand this metaphor and what is its meaning to you?
- Haggai ends with a strong message about Zerubabel. See Zechariah chapter 4 for more prophecy about Zerubabel and Ezra chapters 2-6 for more about his role as a leader. Zerubabel was the grandson of Jechoniah/Jehoiachin, the young king who was taken captive in 597. He is the last leader mentioned of the Davidic line. What can we learn from this prophecy about him?
Video Conclusions on Joel and Haggai
Part 1
Part 2