Introduction: Haggai 2 speaks to the people’s discouragement and the need for them to continue the work of rebuilding. It also contains promises of future glory and blessings for the people who are faithful to God, and put his plan and purpose before their own priorities. The chapter can be divided into three sections, each with its own message and purpose. God always has a plan for His people, and we can all rest assured that he has a plan for each of us, if we will be obedient to his call.
I. Encouragement to Rebuild the Temple (Haggai 2:1-9)
In these verses, Haggai addresses the people’s discouragement as they compare the current temple to the former one’s glory (Haggai 2:3). God encourages the people through Haggai, reminding them that He is with them (Haggai 2:4) and that the glory of the latter temple will be greater than the former (Haggai 2:9). These verses references Exodus 19:5-6, where God establishes His covenant with Israel, promising to be with them. It also references Zechariah 4:6-7, which speaks of the power of God’s Spirit in accomplishing His will, similar to how God will empower the people to rebuild the temple.
II. The Need for Holiness (Haggai 2:10-19)
Haggai shifts focus to the importance of holiness among the people (Haggai 2:12-14). He uses the example of holy meat touching other items, making them holy, and contrasts it with unclean items making holy items unclean. This section references Leviticus 10:10, which speaks of the need to distinguish between the holy and the unholy. It also references Deuteronomy 28:1-14, which outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, similar to how Haggai warns the people of the consequences of their unclean actions.
III. Promise of Future Blessing (Haggai 2:20-23)
In the final verses, Haggai delivers a message of hope and future blessing to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah (Haggai 2:23). God promises to overthrow the kingdoms of the world and establish Zerubbabel as His chosen one (Haggai 2:22). These verses references Isaiah 9:6-7, which speaks of the future reign of the Messiah, and Zechariah 6:12-13, which also points to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, through the line of Zerubbabel.
Conclusion: Haggai 2 is a chapter with a message of hope, encouragement, exhortation, and promise. It addresses the people’s discouragement, calls them to holiness, and gives them hope for future blessings through Zerubbabel. The main points of the outline show how God is with His people in their work, how their actions have consequences, and how God promises to establish His kingdom in this world through the line of Zerubbabel. This chapter is an inspirational and encouraging message, as it reminds us that God’s presence is with us in our work, that we are called to live holy lives, and that we have a future hope in the promised Messiah.
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