A study through Haggai:

– After Cyrus took over , one group returned home to rebuild the temple. This group laid and completed the foundation within 2 years. However, the work was stopped by opponents for 16 years (Ezra 4:4-6:22).

After Darius came to power, Haggai urged the people to resume to the work – specifically Zerubabbel the Governor and Joshua the High to lead the project.

Within 4 years, the work was completed and worship resumed.

A backward review:

i. In Gen 3:8 – God’s presence and fellowship with man is seen in Eden.

v22-24: The fellowship and presence is destroyed by sin.

God’s grace and initiative of restoration in the OT was through the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 26:31-40)

The tabernacle was a miniature of Eden.

ii. God’s presence dwelt in the tabernacle

iii. God’s presence dwelt in the temple (Haggai 1:9)

It was through the temple and its priesthood that God’s fellowship and relationship was maintained. No temple meant No Fellowship.

**God wanted this fellowship and relationship renewed and called Zerubbabel and Joshua to do the work (Haggai 2:4-5, 21-23).

**The obeyed God’s voice (Haggai 1:12); and God said in v13 “I am with you declared the LORD”

God promises to fill the temple with his glory (2 Chronicles 7:1).

iv. In and through Christ, God’s presence dwells in us (John 2:19-22).

**Through Christ, the resounding promise of Haggai comes true – “I am with you” Haggai 2:4, Matthew 28:20

In the restored temple, God’s presence would be adorned with the treasures of all diverse cultures of the world (Haggai 2:7); both Jews and Gentiles (Matthew 12:18, Luke 2:32).

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The term, “The Lord of hosts“(armies) is used 14 times to show God’s sovereignty. As a sovereign God:

a). He determines the state of His people – (Haggai 1:9, 2:17, 19)

b). He determines the state of the Nations – (Haggai 2:6-8)

c). He oversees nature (Haggai 1:10, 2:19)

d). He compels his people into action (Haggai 1:14, 2:4)

e). He raises up and brings down whole kingdoms (Haggai 2:20-23)

– The Lord has always graciously walked with his people, even when his ways are hidden and difficult to understand.

– Silence of God is not absence of God.

– When the forces of hell seemed most  victorious, they were being decisively defeated (Col 2:14-15).

– From Haggai, we learn that God is creating for himself a people from every tribe and nation. They’ll bring their treasures in to the new earth, the final paradise where no temple is needed. i.e Restored Eden. Haggai 2:7, Revelation 21:22-24.