Haggai’s fourth message comes on the same day as the third and brings the good news that God will overturn unfair world powers and establish His perfect development.

God grants the people a third message from Haggai, one that concerns individual holiness within the covenant community and their joint project. God stresses the need for personal reflection and consideration of both His Word and world circumstances. He teaches the people that human holiness is not transferable and that sin pervades everything. Wonderfully, God uses the effects of sin to turn people toward Him and He promises to bless those who come to Him.

The Lord of Hosts calls for post-exilic Jerusalem to understand the flow of past and future history. Doing so, they are enabled to make four great changes: to become strong, work without fear, practice good stewardship, and accept God’s peace. Further, to assist in these four changes, God has left the two tools that make the difference – His Spirit’s presence and His Word’s promises.

We are introduced to Haggai, God’s party animal (his name means “festival”), and the primary audience for his messages – Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of Judah to return from Babylon. The people are reticent to continue the Temple construction work, likely because of understandable fears. Haggai introduces them to the Lord of hosts and His Word. God’s commentary on their lives sets the stage for important construction in the covenant community and in each member’s life.