Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Bible Scripture Reading

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction to the Book of Haggai"

INTRODUCTION

The Book of Haggai is the 10th of the 12 Minor prophets and is the first of three postexilic prophets who ministered in Judah to the tiny community established after the Jews were permitted to return to their homeland.  Haggai, appears briefly in Judah to accomplish a specific mission.  His carefully dated messages or sermons, focus our attention on a four month period in 520 B.C., when Haggai called God's people to complete rebuilding of God's temple, which was began 18 years before.

Haggai's message has nothing in common with the prophets who cried out in Israel before the Assyrians crushed the Northern kingdom in 722 B.C. and before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Judah.  he says nothing if idolatry, nothing of injustice or violence.  Instead Haggai simply urges the people of Judah to put God first and to demonstrate their commitment by finishing the construction of the temple.

There is another important difference, the words of the former prophets were largely ignored by God's people and led to a national disaster and captivity.  But Haggai's words were heard, and the whole community rallied to the task.  A new, though much smaller temple rose on the site of Solomon's magnificent building.  God was to be put first, and His worship was to be celebrated again in a house dedicated to his Name.

DATE AND AUTHORSHIP

Little is known of the prophet Haggai except what is in the Book that bears his name.  Haggai is mentioned by Ezra in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 and by Zechariah 8:9.  The name Haggai means "Festival" which is an appropriate meaning given the prophets work in restoring temple worship.  But what is most remarkable about Haggai's ministry is its brevity for his messages were given in a span of only 4 months in 520 B.C. 

OUTLINE OF HAGGAI

I. The First Message: A message of motivation  Haggai 1:1-15
    A. The circumstances of the message Haggai 1:1
    B. The content of the message Haggai 1:2-15
         1. The need to rebuild the House of the Lord Haggai 1:2-6
         2. The Commission to Rebuilt Haggai 1:7-11
         3. The compliance to rebuild Haggai 1:12-15

II. The Second Message: A message of consolation Haggai 2:1-9
      A. The circumstances of the message Haggai 2:1-2
      B. The content of the message Haggai 2:3-9
           1. The question Haggai 2:3
           2. The encouragement 2:4-9

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blog.com for a Blog Writing from Romans 5:19. 

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, has Been and ALWAYS Will be in Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Strength, Love and Grace be with you all.  May we as Christians reach to heaven with one hand and with the other reach out to the lost, in this dark, sinful, and dying world.  May we as John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."

Your Sister In Christ,
Cindi
  


  

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