Haggai
Historical Setting
The present book of Haggai consists of a series of connected prophetic oracles that offer precise dates, locating the prophet’s activity in the year 520 BC. Based on narratives in Ezra, the initial return of exiles to Jerusalem and the vicinity was around 538 BC. These early returnees would have faced the daunting tasks of clearing away the rubble of the destruction of Jerusalem and rebuilding homes and civic institutions. It is not hard to envision a scene in which the rebuilding of their community was physically and emotionally exhausting. While the book of Ezra notes that the rebuilding of the temple was also begun during the early years of the return, apparently completing this task in addition to addressing physical and economic needs was too much for the community to maintain. The rebuilding of the temple lagged until Haggai and his contemporary Zechariah responded to God’s call to urge the completion of the temple.
Part of Haggai’s task was also to help the community find a new way to understand their identity in a world in which so much had changed. Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, Judah had an expansive territory, a king of the line of David on the throne (insuring some measure of political and social autonomy), and a relatively prosperous economy. With the conquest of Judah by the Babylonians and the subsequent conquest of the Babylonian Empire by the Persian Empire, those who chose to return to Jerusalem found themselves in a radically different setting. No longer was the old territory of Judah maintained—now they were part of a smaller geopolitical region known as the province of Yehud. As a small portion of a much larger empire, Yehud was ruled by a “governor” appointed by the Persian king. And imperial forces were likely stationed in nearby areas, an implicit threat should the empire detect any hint of rebellion. Without territory or a king of their own, the one point of physical contact the returnees had with their past was the temple.
Haggai and his contemporary Zechariah make the case to the community of returnees that their first priority should be the restoration of the temple. By making such a clear commitment to the ongoing worship of God, blessings would flow to the community, and the future existence of the remnant of Israel would be secure. The temple was to serve as the center point to give the former exiles a new way of understanding themselves in a changed world. ◆
Key Concepts
• Spiritual restoration must precede social or political restoration.
• God’s presence is the key to restoration, thus the importance of rebuilding the temple.