Build the Temple First

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PASSAGE: Haggai 2:1-9

COMMENT: The prophet Haggai encourages the Israelites who have returned from Babylonian captivity as they build the temple (“house”) to replace Solomon’s temple that was destroyed.  They are not to worry over its glory not being equal to the glory of Solomon’s temple for it shall have a greater glory in the future.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1.                   The governor of Judah to whom Haggai spoke was a man named _______________.

2.                   Haggai also spoke to Joshua who was the __________ ____________.

3.                   The Lord tells of a time when He will _________ the heavens, the earth, the sea, the dry land, and all nations.

4.                   The Lord obviously refers to Jesus Christ when He speaks of the coming of the ___________ of all nations.

5.                   God encourages the Jews by telling them that the _________ of this latter house (the temple they are building) shall be greater than of the former (the temple built by Solomon).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.                   The word glory is mentioned three times in our passage.  Haggai speaks of “this house in her first glory” (v.3).  God declares, “I will fill this house with glory” (v.7).  And states, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former” (v.9).  Using these verses as a guide, describe what you think the Bible means when it uses the word glory.

2.                   The returning Israelites have been comparing the glory of Solomon’s temple with the dullness of Zerubbabel’s temple.  In verses seven and eight, God promises to fill the new house with glory.  In the middle of these two verses, God proclaims, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine” (v.8).  What point do you think He is making.

3.                   The prophecy about the rebuilt temple and its future glory comes to Haggai on the 21^st day of the 7^th month (v.1).  Leviticus, chapter 23, refers to seven annual feasts originally given to Israel.  The seventh feast of the year is the feast of the tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44).  It begins on the 15^th day of the 7^th month and goes for eight days.  The eighth and last day of the feast is a holy sabbath unto God (It is the day that Jesus announced the coming indwelling of the Spirit – John 7:2, 37-39).  The feast of tabernacles was a picture of God dwelling or making His tabernacle with man.  Haggai’s prophecy came in the seventh month, on the seventh day of the seventh feast, immediately before the last day of the feast—a holy sabbath.  What is the significance of this timing? 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1.                   Of the new temple, Haggai says, “is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” (v.3).  But, the “glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former” (v.9).  They could not see what God was going to do with the new temple and only looked at the plainness of its exterior.  In what ways, do we make the same kinds of mistakes in our judgments?

2.                   God had promised (covenanted) to dwell among the children of Israel (v.5).  Exodus 29:45 states, “And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.”  At this late time, He was still keeping this promise.  Study verses four and five of our passage, and tell what their reaction to this presence should be.

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