Context and Background

The First Message: Call to Rebuild the Temple is a significant event in the post-exilic period of Israel's history, recorded in the Book of Haggai. This message is delivered by the prophet Haggai in 520 B.C., during the reign of King Darius of Persia. The Israelites had returned from Babylonian exile under the decree of Cyrus the Great, with the primary task of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. However, the reconstruction efforts had stalled due to opposition and the people's preoccupation with their own homes and affairs.

The Message Delivered

Haggai 1:1-11 records the first message from the Lord through Haggai. The message is directed to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest, as well as the remnant of the people. The Lord challenges the people for their misplaced priorities, saying, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4). The Lord calls the people to "consider your ways" (Haggai 1:5), highlighting the futility of their efforts and the lack of divine blessing due to their neglect of the Temple.

Divine Rebuke and Exhortation

The message serves as both a rebuke and an exhortation. The Lord points out the consequences of their neglect: "You have sown much, but bring in little; you eat, but never have enough; you drink, but never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes" (Haggai 1:6). This imagery underscores the fruitlessness of their labor without God's favor.

The exhortation is clear: "Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD" (Haggai 1:8). The call to action is immediate and direct, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the worship and presence of God in their community.

Response of the People

Remarkably, the people respond positively to Haggai's message. Haggai 1:12-15 describes how Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord. The Lord stirred up their spirits, and they began work on the house of the Lord. This obedience marks a turning point, as the people realign their priorities with God's will.

Theological Significance

The First Message: Call to Rebuild the Temple highlights several key theological themes. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the necessity of placing God at the center of communal and individual life. The message also illustrates the principle that divine blessing is contingent upon faithfulness and prioritization of God's purposes. The rebuilding of the Temple is not merely a physical task but a spiritual renewal, symbolizing the restoration of proper worship and covenant relationship with God.

Historical and Prophetic Implications

Historically, this message marks the beginning of the successful reconstruction of the Second Temple, completed in 516 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. Prophetically, the rebuilding of the Temple foreshadows the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of a new covenant, as the Temple serves as a precursor to the ultimate dwelling of God with His people through Jesus Christ.

The First Message: Call to Rebuild the Temple remains a powerful reminder of the need for God's people to prioritize His presence and purposes, trusting in His provision and blessing as they align their lives with His divine will.