The Book of Haggai records the extra motivation that was needed by God in 520 BC to have the Israelites complete the rebuilding of the temple after they returned from the exile. At the same time the Lord shows the glorious purpose and design of the True Temple which is Jesus Christ. God did not command the first ornate temple, but only this more inferior one. This foreshadows Christ Jesus' humble life. Lastly we see the Glory of Christ in the way He comes both as Priest and King.
The Book of Haggai records six dates when the prophet Haggai spoke. The dates are very specific down to the day. Time was urgent. Seventy years was up since the former temple was destroyed. The man was indifferent to the need to rebuild the temple, but God saw that according to His timetable, the work needed to be completed.
This temple building which they put up did not have its true significance in the actual temple building but in what it stood for. It typified the new temple of Christ, which God would rise up in one day on Christ's resurrection. This would be a place where people could find true righteousness. Soon, the time reference would not be around a worldly emperor like King Darius, but as it should be around Christ the King.
1) Darius the king, 2nd year, 6th month, 1rst day. (Haggai 1:1 )
The prophet Haggai speaks.
2) Darius the king, 2nd year, 6th month, 24th day. (Haggai 1:15).
The Lord stirred up the spirit of the workers.
3) Darius the king, 2nd year, 7th month, 21rst day. (Haggai 2:1)
The prophet Haggai encourages the people to persevere.
4) Darius the king, 2nd year, 9th month, 24th day. (Haggai 2:10).
God calls His people to genuine holiness.
5) Darius the king, 2nd year, 9th month, 24th day. (Haggai 2:18)
God promises to bring blessing from that day forward.
6) The Lord's Word came a 2nd time, 24th day. (Haggai 2:20).
God vows to make Zerubbabel as His seal.
We should note that the temple was completed in
Darius the king, 6th year, 12th month (Adar), 3rd day. (Ezra 6:15)
1.) Understanding the Real Problem (1:1-4)
2.) Evaluating the Present Conditions (1:5-6)
3.) Evaluating the Positive Solution (1:7-11)
1.) The Right Response: Obedience (1:12-15)
2.) The Right Vision: Encouragement (2:1-9)
1) Christ the Priest (Haggai 2:10-19)
2) Christ the King (Haggai 2:20-23)