Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The book of Haggai


This is a short and fairly straightforward book.  In essence, the first wave of the people have returned from exile but they are not working on the temple.  God, through Haggai, prompts them to resume rebuilding the temple.

Compare and contrast the language used by God and when David first suggested the idea of building a temple.  David felt bad that he had a fine palace but God resided in a tent.  God was hesitant and told David that a temple as unnecessary.  

Here in Haggai, we see the opposite perspective.  God chastises the people for having homes to live in while God's home lies in ruins.  One possibility for the change in attitude by God is because they do not even have a tent for God.  At David's time, at least there was a tent, although from Ezra we know they kept the feast of booths.

What is omitted in Haggai - any direct discussion about the enemies who plotted to stall the rebuilding of the temple.

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