Rebuilding What Matters: Returning to God’s Priorities
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 5
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 277 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
The book of Haggai is a powerful call to realign one’s heart and priorities with God’s purposes. Written during the post-exilic period around 520 B.C., it addresses the people of Judah who had returned from Babylonian captivity but had neglected rebuilding God’s temple in Jerusalem. Through the prophet Haggai, God challenges His people to stop focusing solely on their own comfort and prosperity while His house remains in ruins. Haggai’s message reminds believers that when they put God first, His blessings and presence return to their lives. The book concludes with encouragement that God’s glory will fill the new temple, surpassing the former one, pointing prophetically to the coming of Christ, through whom God’s presence dwells among His people.
Haggai 1
In Haggai 1, the prophet delivers God’s rebuke to the people for their misplaced priorities. Sixteen years after returning from exile, the people had rebuilt their homes and resumed daily life, but God’s temple remained unfinished. Through Haggai, the Lord asks, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4, ESV). Because they neglected God’s work, their labor bore little fruit — they sowed much but harvested little, earned wages only to lose them, and found no satisfaction in their efforts. God explains that their hardships are a result of misplaced focus. Stirred by the prophetic message, Zerubbabel (the governor), Joshua (the high priest), and the people respond with reverence and obedience. They begin rebuilding the temple, and the Lord promises, “I am with you” (v. 13), signifying His renewed favor and presence as they return to His priorities.
Haggai 2
Haggai 2 shifts from rebuke to reassurance. About a month after the rebuilding resumed, discouragement spread because the new temple appeared unimpressive compared to Solomon’s former temple. God speaks again through Haggai, encouraging the leaders and the people to be strong and continue the work, for His Spirit remains among them. He promises that the glory of the new temple will surpass the old, not because of its physical splendor, but because of His presence and peace. Later in the chapter, Haggai delivers two additional messages: one explaining that holiness is not contagious but impurity is, and another affirming God’s intention to bless the people from that day forward because of their obedience. The book concludes with a prophetic word to Zerubbabel, declaring that God will make him like His signet ring, symbolizing divine authority and covenant restoration—a foreshadowing of the Messiah’s lineage.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Haggai (Hebrew: Chaggay) means “festive” or “festival of the Lord.” His name reflects joy and celebration, which aligns with the book’s message of restoration and renewed worship in the presence of God. The book of Haggai is one of the shortest prophetic books in the Old Testament, consisting of only two chapters, yet it carries a powerful message of obedience, priorities, and God’s abiding presence.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of the book is to encourage the returned exiles to rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem after years of neglect. Though the people had returned from Babylonian captivity around 538 B.C. under Cyrus’s decree (Ezra 1:1–4), they became distracted by their own homes and comfort, allowing God’s house to remain in ruins. Haggai’s prophecy, delivered in 520 B.C., calls the people to realign their priorities with God’s will, promising His blessing and presence when they obey. The central message emphasizes that when God’s people put Him first, His glory returns among them.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The author of the book is the prophet Haggai himself, as clearly stated in the opening verse: “In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet…” (Haggai 1:1, ESV). His authorship is further supported by other biblical texts. The book of Ezra 5:1–2 and Ezra 6:14 both confirm Haggai’s prophetic ministry alongside Zechariah, noting that through their encouragement, Zerubbabel and Joshua led the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple. Jewish and Christian traditions alike recognize Haggai as one of the post-exilic prophets, ministering between Zephaniah and Zechariah. Ancient writings such as the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) and historical works by Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 11) also acknowledge Haggai’s role as a legitimate prophet during King Darius’s reign.
Key People:
Haggai, the prophet and messenger of God.
Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and descendant of King David, who led the civil restoration.
Joshua (Jeshua) son of Jehozadak, the high priest who represented the spiritual leadership of the people.
King Darius I of Persia, under whose reign the rebuilding of the temple resumed.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the book reveals God’s faithfulness and His desire to dwell among His people once more. Though the new temple lacked the physical grandeur of Solomon’s, God promised, “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9), pointing prophetically to the coming of Christ, who embodies the true temple where God’s glory dwells (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9). Haggai’s message remains timeless — reminding believers that when we place God first, He blesses our work, restores His presence, and fills our lives with His glory.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Haggai 1
In Haggai 1, God reveals Himself as a jealous yet loving Father who desires His people’s full devotion. His character is seen through His call for the people to “consider their ways” (Haggai 1:5, 7), showing that He disciplines not to destroy, but to restore His people to a place of obedience and blessing. God’s holiness demands priority, and His justice ensures that misplaced affections bring dissatisfaction until His rightful place is restored. Yet, even in correction, His compassion shines through as He stirs the hearts of the leaders and people to rebuild His temple, promising His presence once more—“I am with you, declares the LORD” (v. 13).
The Hebrew name of God used repeatedly in this chapter is “Yahweh Tseva’ot”, meaning “The LORD of Hosts” or “The LORD Almighty.” This title emphasizes God’s supreme authority and command over heavenly armies, showing that He is powerful and sovereign over all nations. Through this name, God teaches His people that true security and success do not come from material pursuits but from aligning with His will. The lesson in Haggai 1 is that when we put God first—honoring Him above our own comfort—He restores His favor and presence to our lives.
Haggai 2
In Haggai 2, God’s character is revealed as faithful, encouraging, and glorious. He is the God who strengthens the discouraged and reminds His people of His abiding Spirit. Even though the new temple looked inferior to the former, God assured them that His presence—not the building’s beauty—was the true source of glory. His words, “Be strong… for I am with you” (Haggai 2:4–5), display His steadfastness and covenant love. God does not measure success by outward appearance but by obedience and faithfulness to His promise.
The Hebrew name “Yahweh Tseva’ot” (The LORD of Hosts) is again used throughout this chapter, reinforcing His unmatched authority and power to shake nations and fill His house with glory. Through this name and His promise, God teaches that His glory surpasses human limitation and that peace and blessing are found only in His presence. The lesson in Haggai 2 is that God’s faithfulness endures even when circumstances seem small or incomplete—He turns obedience into glory and restores hope through His abiding Spirit.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does Haggai 1 reveal about God’s desire for His people to put Him first in every area of their lives?
How does God’s correction in Haggai 1 show His love and faithfulness rather than anger or punishment?
In what ways does the name “The LORD of Hosts” (Yahweh Tseva’ot) reveal God’s power and authority over all creation?
How does God demonstrate His patience with His people when they finally respond in obedience to rebuild the temple?
What do God’s promises in Haggai 2 teach us about His consistency and unchanging nature throughout generations?
How do God’s words, “I am with you,” in both chapters reveal His heart to dwell among His people?
What aspects of God’s character give you personal encouragement to stay faithful in seasons of rebuilding or restoration?
Questions About Themes:
What main theme stands out in the book of Haggai — obedience, priorities, or God’s presence — and why?
How does the theme of spiritual renewal connect to the physical act of rebuilding the temple?
In Haggai 1, how does neglecting God’s house symbolize misplaced priorities in our own lives today?
What does the contrast between the former temple’s glory and the new one teach us about God’s view of success and beauty?
How does the theme of God’s presence link to His blessings and favor upon His people?
What message does Haggai’s prophecy give about obedience leading to restoration?
How does Haggai 2 foreshadow the coming of Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s glory and presence?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what areas of your life might God be calling you to “consider your ways” as He did the people in Haggai 1?
How can you make God’s priorities your own when life feels busy or distracting?
What “unfinished temple” or spiritual assignment might God be urging you to complete in this season?
How do you respond when what you’re building for God seems small or insignificant compared to others?
What does it look like for you to invite God’s presence back into the “ruins” of your personal or spiritual life?
How can remembering God’s promise, “I am with you,” strengthen your faith when facing discouragement?
In what ways can you bring glory to God today by trusting His timing, obeying His Word, and prioritizing His presence?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
Comments