Man Looks on the Outward Appearance, But the Lord of Hosts Looks on the Heart
The Book of Haggai
I. Setting: In the Context of the Lord of Hosts.
Amos 4:13 “For behold, He Who forms mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth–The Lord God of Hosts is His Name.”
A. OT–Jehovah tsbaah: Occurs over 270 time in the OT, 15 in Haggai, 53 times in Zechariah. NT–Lord Sabaoth is basically a Greek transliteration of “tsbaah”. Only twice–Romans 9:29 & James 5:4. It is the most frequently occurring compound name for God in the Bible. It occurs most often in the prophets.
1. Meaning: “The term “host” refers to military service, the ranks and division of troops. Though the hosts
of the Lord are often angels, they include His people Israel, the Levites, and notably, all of creation which God set
in order and continues to rule. The Lord set His hosts in order that they might serve Him....Every particle, every
person, is designed to fulfill a calling that gives the Lord praise (and worship–worshiping armies being a clear
implication in the many occurrences-RF).” (The Lutheran Study Bible)
"Eventually it was used as equivalent to “ the Lord All-Sovereign”. New Strongs
This is the God Who stirs up His people to rebuild the place of His Name in His Holy City!
II. Remember Ezra4:24-5:1
The construction of the Temple began well, but because of the opposition of enemies, it stalled until Darius, king of Persia, and the ministry of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, nearly an 18 year lull
III. Enter Haggai the prophet of the Lord of Hosts. While Zechariah’s words contained rebuke and exhortation, it is overall full of encouragement and future hope. Haggai, on the other hand, is God’s paddle on the behind of a self absorbed people with a beautiful hint of hope in the middle and at the end.
Note: As we go through this overview of the book, keep in mind two contemporary applications, the professing church as a whole, and each one of us individually.
A. Chapter 1: The conflict that ended construction of the Temple of the Lord of Hosts didn’t seem to interfere with their every day life.
1. 1:1-5 God’s issue with this people: “Thus speaks the Lord of Hosts, saying”. The army has gone awol–it has
disobeyed it’s marching orders. Notice Vs 2-The commanders of armies aren’t too fond of excuses.
a. Circumstances haven’t hindered them building their own houses!! But the opposition is such that it
must not be a convenient time to build the House of the Lord.
2. 1:6-11 “Consider your ways” (5b &7) Forget about bad karma, bad luck, or fate. Here is what is going on.
The Lord of Hosts commands the heavens. He would have worship and praise, and by the way, He is big on obedience (I Samuel 15:22) and His frown dries up the heavens and puts holes in your pockets!!!
Vs 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?
Because of My House that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house!!!”
Note: Beloved, if we do not honor the temple of God, our union and communion with Him as His living stones, our praise and worship as the priority of our lives, the Sustaining Providential Smile of the Lord of Hosts will become a frown. As we run after our own houses and lands, they will become rusty, corrupted millstones around our necks, filling us with frustration, anxiety and fear. We will never have enough, our resources will drain out like sand in a sundial. Let us consider our ways. Is this what is going on?
3. 1:12-15 The people get the message and begin once again to build. The Lord stirs up Zerubbabel, their
governor and Joshua the high priest and God gives them his all important promise–“I am with you, says the
Lord”.
B. Chapter 2 One month later, Haggai gives the first of three prophesies.
1. 2:1-9 “the Word of the Lord came by Haggai”. This is a word of encouragement in the face of the “small
temple”. Remember the conflict of weeping and joy in Ezra 3:13?
a. 2:6-9 Here is a glorious foretelling of the Holy Temple made up of many nations, not made with hands!
Acts 2, Ephesians 2:19-22
b. Here is the Desire of the Nations, He shall come and fill His Temple with glory. Genesis 49:10, Malachi 3:1
c. Vs 8 seems to imply that the Lord has far greater plans than mere silver and gold, stone and mortar
These are already His! The Kingdom of God is not in these, but in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Ghost. (Rom 14:17)
2. 2:10-19 Two months later, the people are back at work, but they have internal issues! Even their work on the Temple of the Lord of Hosts will not make them clean and pure before Him. Defilement rubs off on us easily. Purity will not rub off at all–it must be inborn from above!!!
a. 2:15-17 The Lord returns to the original message as though to say, “Don’t forget what I told you to
consider! Your ways are futile apart from the blessing of following my priority.”
b. 2:18-19 Keep these things in mind in the building of the temple and see the blessing of the Lord.
3. 2:20-23 The third prophesy, or it might be considered part 2 of the second. It was on the same day, but was
to Zerubbabel, the governor.
a. 2:21-22 Here is the plan for the nations of the Lord of Hosts. I think the Lord is speaking out of the
context of His Eternity. None of the civilizations/kingdoms have lasted. Many have been overthrown by the
intrigue within their own family. We think from a context of 70+ years and ask, “How long O Lord”.
b. 2:23 But here is where Eternity enters in!!! Remember, Zerrubbel was the governor of Judah, the
overseer of the temple construction. Notice, the LORD does not say He will give him a ring. No, He says He
will make him a signet ring. This ring was the stamp of the Lord to verify His Will and purpose. “My
Servant.... for I have chosen you.” Isaiah 42:1-9–our Zerubbabel!
Matthew 1:12-13 The temple builder with Divine authority is an ancestor of the Temple Builder, the Elect Servant of God Who has all Authority and Power. Luke 4:36; Matt. 8:18
Matthew 16:18 ....”I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Ephesians 2:20-21 (Jew and gentile members of the household of God vs 19) “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in Whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
Hebrews 3:2-3 Christ Jesus “Who was faithful to Him Who appointed Him (gave Him the Signet Ring), as Moses also was faithful in all his house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He Who built the house has more honor than the house.” See also vs 6
The Book of Haggai
I. Setting: In the Context of the Lord of Hosts.
Amos 4:13 “For behold, He Who forms mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth–The Lord God of Hosts is His Name.”
A. OT–Jehovah tsbaah: Occurs over 270 time in the OT, 15 in Haggai, 53 times in Zechariah. NT–Lord Sabaoth is basically a Greek transliteration of “tsbaah”. Only twice–Romans 9:29 & James 5:4. It is the most frequently occurring compound name for God in the Bible. It occurs most often in the prophets.
1. Meaning: “The term “host” refers to military service, the ranks and division of troops. Though the hosts
of the Lord are often angels, they include His people Israel, the Levites, and notably, all of creation which God set
in order and continues to rule. The Lord set His hosts in order that they might serve Him....Every particle, every
person, is designed to fulfill a calling that gives the Lord praise (and worship–worshiping armies being a clear
implication in the many occurrences-RF).” (The Lutheran Study Bible)
"Eventually it was used as equivalent to “ the Lord All-Sovereign”. New Strongs
This is the God Who stirs up His people to rebuild the place of His Name in His Holy City!
II. Remember Ezra4:24-5:1
The construction of the Temple began well, but because of the opposition of enemies, it stalled until Darius, king of Persia, and the ministry of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, nearly an 18 year lull
III. Enter Haggai the prophet of the Lord of Hosts. While Zechariah’s words contained rebuke and exhortation, it is overall full of encouragement and future hope. Haggai, on the other hand, is God’s paddle on the behind of a self absorbed people with a beautiful hint of hope in the middle and at the end.
Note: As we go through this overview of the book, keep in mind two contemporary applications, the professing church as a whole, and each one of us individually.
A. Chapter 1: The conflict that ended construction of the Temple of the Lord of Hosts didn’t seem to interfere with their every day life.
1. 1:1-5 God’s issue with this people: “Thus speaks the Lord of Hosts, saying”. The army has gone awol–it has
disobeyed it’s marching orders. Notice Vs 2-The commanders of armies aren’t too fond of excuses.
a. Circumstances haven’t hindered them building their own houses!! But the opposition is such that it
must not be a convenient time to build the House of the Lord.
2. 1:6-11 “Consider your ways” (5b &7) Forget about bad karma, bad luck, or fate. Here is what is going on.
The Lord of Hosts commands the heavens. He would have worship and praise, and by the way, He is big on obedience (I Samuel 15:22) and His frown dries up the heavens and puts holes in your pockets!!!
Vs 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?
Because of My House that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house!!!”
Note: Beloved, if we do not honor the temple of God, our union and communion with Him as His living stones, our praise and worship as the priority of our lives, the Sustaining Providential Smile of the Lord of Hosts will become a frown. As we run after our own houses and lands, they will become rusty, corrupted millstones around our necks, filling us with frustration, anxiety and fear. We will never have enough, our resources will drain out like sand in a sundial. Let us consider our ways. Is this what is going on?
3. 1:12-15 The people get the message and begin once again to build. The Lord stirs up Zerubbabel, their
governor and Joshua the high priest and God gives them his all important promise–“I am with you, says the
Lord”.
B. Chapter 2 One month later, Haggai gives the first of three prophesies.
1. 2:1-9 “the Word of the Lord came by Haggai”. This is a word of encouragement in the face of the “small
temple”. Remember the conflict of weeping and joy in Ezra 3:13?
a. 2:6-9 Here is a glorious foretelling of the Holy Temple made up of many nations, not made with hands!
Acts 2, Ephesians 2:19-22
b. Here is the Desire of the Nations, He shall come and fill His Temple with glory. Genesis 49:10, Malachi 3:1
c. Vs 8 seems to imply that the Lord has far greater plans than mere silver and gold, stone and mortar
These are already His! The Kingdom of God is not in these, but in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Ghost. (Rom 14:17)
2. 2:10-19 Two months later, the people are back at work, but they have internal issues! Even their work on the Temple of the Lord of Hosts will not make them clean and pure before Him. Defilement rubs off on us easily. Purity will not rub off at all–it must be inborn from above!!!
a. 2:15-17 The Lord returns to the original message as though to say, “Don’t forget what I told you to
consider! Your ways are futile apart from the blessing of following my priority.”
b. 2:18-19 Keep these things in mind in the building of the temple and see the blessing of the Lord.
3. 2:20-23 The third prophesy, or it might be considered part 2 of the second. It was on the same day, but was
to Zerubbabel, the governor.
a. 2:21-22 Here is the plan for the nations of the Lord of Hosts. I think the Lord is speaking out of the
context of His Eternity. None of the civilizations/kingdoms have lasted. Many have been overthrown by the
intrigue within their own family. We think from a context of 70+ years and ask, “How long O Lord”.
b. 2:23 But here is where Eternity enters in!!! Remember, Zerrubbel was the governor of Judah, the
overseer of the temple construction. Notice, the LORD does not say He will give him a ring. No, He says He
will make him a signet ring. This ring was the stamp of the Lord to verify His Will and purpose. “My
Servant.... for I have chosen you.” Isaiah 42:1-9–our Zerubbabel!
Matthew 1:12-13 The temple builder with Divine authority is an ancestor of the Temple Builder, the Elect Servant of God Who has all Authority and Power. Luke 4:36; Matt. 8:18
Matthew 16:18 ....”I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Ephesians 2:20-21 (Jew and gentile members of the household of God vs 19) “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in Whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
Hebrews 3:2-3 Christ Jesus “Who was faithful to Him Who appointed Him (gave Him the Signet Ring), as Moses also was faithful in all his house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He Who built the house has more honor than the house.” See also vs 6