Haggai the Prophet
Category: Endurance in exhortation & encouragement
Could avoid: Remain silent when people neglected God’s house.
“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (Haggai 1:4)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 7:4; Matthew 6:33.
Chose: Boldly called people to put God first.
“Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house.” (Haggai 1:7–8)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 3:9; Luke 12:31.
Endured: People’s initial apathy, discouragement from enemies.
“Then the work on the house of God came to a standstill.” (Ezra 4:24, context for Haggai)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 4:10; Galatians 6:9.
Why: Desired God’s glory to return to His people.
“So that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD.” (Haggai 1:8)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 10:31; John 2:17.
Result: People obeyed, God stirred them, glory promised.
“So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel… and they came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 1:14)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Zerubbabel (Governor of Judah)
Category: Endurance in leadership & rebuilding
Could avoid: Focus on political stability instead of temple building.
“Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel… obeyed the voice of the LORD their God.” (Haggai 1:12)
Cross-Refs: Ezra 3:8; Matthew 1:12.
Chose: Led the people to resume rebuilding.
“Be strong, Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land.” (Haggai 2:4)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 1:9; 1 Corinthians 16:13.
Endured: Weak resources, comparison to Solomon’s temple, opposition.
“Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now?” (Haggai 2:3)
Cross-Refs: Ezra 3:12–13; Zechariah 4:10.
Why: Believed God’s Spirit was with them.
“Be strong… and work. For I am with you, declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:4)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 33:14; Matthew 28:20.
Result: Chosen as God’s signet ring of authority.
“On that day… I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.” (Haggai 2:23)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 22:24; Revelation 3:12.
Joshua the High Priest
Category: Endurance in spiritual leadership & holiness
Could avoid: Neglect priestly duty while focus was on survival.
“Joshua son of Jozadak the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD.” (Haggai 1:12)
Cross-Refs: Ezra 3:2; Zechariah 3:1.
Chose: Led worship and sanctified the temple work.
“Be strong, Joshua… and work. For I am with you.” (Haggai 2:4)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 27:18–23; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17.
Endured: Spiritual discouragement, weight of past failures.
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: Ask the priests what the law says.” (Haggai 2:11)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 2:7; Hebrews 5:1–3.
Why: Believed in God’s holiness and cleansing power.
“From this day on I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:19)
Cross-Refs: Leviticus 26:9–12; Hebrews 9:14.
Result: Priestly role affirmed in restored temple worship.
“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.” (Haggai 2:9)
Cross-Refs: John 2:21; Revelation 21:22–23.
The Remnant of the People
Category: Endurance in rebuilding & obedience
Could avoid: Prioritise their own houses and fields.
“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away.” (Haggai 1:9)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 1:4; Matthew 6:19.
Chose: Obeyed and resumed building the temple.
“Then Zerubbabel… Joshua… and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD.” (Haggai 1:12)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 35:21; James 1:22.
Endured: Scarcity, drought, hardship.
“You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough.” (Haggai 1:6)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 28:38–40; Hebrews 12:11.
Why: Desired God’s presence and blessing to return.
“Build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored.” (Haggai 1:8)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 132:13–14; Matthew 6:33.
Result: Experienced God’s blessing and renewed worship.
“From this day on I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:19)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 3:10–12; Philippians 4:19.