Insights from This Passage

The main message of the Book of Haggai, the Old Testament, and all of Scripture: God is faithful to faithless people.

I. Faithful in blessing.

God blesses his people as they enjoy a right relationship with him. (Gen. 1:28, Gen. 12:1-3)

II. Faithful in grace.

Key Term: “Substitutionary Atonement” (Gen. 3:21)

The Temple:

1.     Place of God’s Presence (See 1 Kings 8:12, etc.)

2.     Place of God’s Pardon (1 Kings 8:5, 30-53)

III. Faithful in discipline.

5 Misplaced Priorities that Led to Exile

1.    Misplaced Worship

(Amos 2:4-5; The descriptions of the Kings of Israel and of Judah in 1 Kings and 2 Kings…)

2.    Misplaced Obedience

(Isaiah 1:10-20 and 66:1-6)

3.    Misplaced Standards (for Success)

(Amos 6:1-8)

4.    Misplaced Influences

(1 Kings 11:1-8 – Cause of Divided Kingdom)

5.    Misplaced Hope (for the Future)

(2 Kings 24:1 – Initial Babylonian Captivity)

(2 Kings 24:1-17: 3 yrs, rebellion, then Exile)

(2 Kings 24:18-25:21: another rebellion, another Exile, and destruction of Temple).

IV. Faithful in restoration.

Haggai is the first prophet to speak after the end of the 70-year Exile. His five oracles address the five misplaced priorities that led God’s people into captivity.

1.     Misplaced Worship (Haggai 1:1-11)

2.     Misplaced Obedience (Haggai 1:12-15)

3.     Misplaced Standards (Haggai 2:1-9)

4.     Misplaced Influences (Haggai 2:10-19)

5.     Misplaced Hope (Haggai 2:20-23)

V. Faithful in Christ (New Temple, John 2:19-22)

1.     Christ is the ultimate place of God's presence (John 1:14; Matt. 1:23)

2.     Christ is the ultimate source of God's pardon (Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:4-8)