Haggai: Put God First

We'd love to hear from you - Click Here to Text Us a Message.

The book of Haggai delivers a timely message about prioritizing God in the midst of life's rebuilding seasons. Through four precisely dated messages, this short prophetic book challenges us to realign our focus when we've let spiritual priorities slip.

• Haggai spoke to Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem around 520 BC to find their city and temple in ruins
• The people had grown discouraged and stopped temple reconstruction, focusing instead on their own homes for 16 years
• God's repeated invitation to "give careful thought to your ways" connects their ongoing struggles with misplaced priorities
• When the people responded with obedience, God immediately assured them of His presence: "I am with you"
• God acknowledges their discouragement about the new temple's appearance, but promises greater glory through it
• The book's final message points to Zerubbabel's place in God's redemptive plan, ultimately connecting to Jesus
• Four key themes emerge: priorities, obedience, God's presence, and hope
• Haggai shows God doesn't approach our misaligned priorities with shame, but with an invitation to renewed purpose

Remember that even small steps of obedience can lead to significant spiritual renewal in your life. God's presence and promise—"I am with you"—remains true for us today.

RELATED EPISODES:

• Context Matters: Undestanding Post Exile  Prophets
• Ezra: Return, Rebuilding, and Renewal Through Faith

SOURCES:

• Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., ... & Bomar, D. (2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press. (Original work published 2012)
• Evangelical Training Association. (n.d.). Old Testament survey (Pt. 2).
• MacArthur, J. (Ed.). (n.d.). The MacArthur Study Bible (NIV ed.). Thomas Nelson.
• Spurgeon, C. H. (2017). The Spurgeon study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers.
• Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1998). The Open Bible: New King James Version (Electronic ed.).
• Wolf, H. M. (1996). Haggai, theology of. In W. A. Elwell (Ed.), Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., p. 323). Baker Book House.

Have questions about what it means to follow Jesus?
Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or exploring what the Bible teaches, we’d love to walk with you. God’s invitation is real, personal, and full of grace.

💬 Reach out to Jacqui at [email protected]
📖 Talk to a trusted Christian in your life
🏠 Or visit a Bible-believing church near you

You are not alone. God’s Word is alive, and He is still drawing people to Himself today. Don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Thank you for tuning in!
Bible Basics is now streaming on Youtube. Please subscribe now!

Feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.