Lesson 4: The Contextual Horizon (2)
Instructor's Work
The Microscope Question
How does this word or sentence contribute to the point of the passage?
Theological Words
"The word of the LORD" (1, 3): The second half of verse 1 "underscores the divine origin of his message, claiming for it revelatory status. Though conveyed by a human spokesman, the message did not originate with that messenger. It is a message whose importance derived from its suprahuman and divine nature. It is 'the word of the Lord' (dĕbar YHWH). Thus from the start of this book the prophet stresses the notion that through his message it is ultimately the Lord who speaks. This is a theme to which Haggai will repeatedly return in the remainder of this book. The prophetic word as divine revelation is an essential part of the theology of this book; it is a component of Haggai’s thought that is emphasized over and over" (Taylor and Clendenen, 107).
The fact that this message came from God is weighty in these verses: it is divine and thus authoritative. This reality should lead to immediate obedience, and in Judah's case, it did.
Emphasized Words
"The word of the LORD came" (1, 3): See above.
"By the hand" (1, 3): The second half of verse 1 also "links this divine word to the human messenger who delivered it to the Lord’s people. It is a message that came 'through' (bĕyad, lit. 'by the hand of') Haggai. The more familiar expression for describing prophetic reception of a divine message speaks of the word of the Lord coming 'to' (ʾel) the prophet rather than 'through' (bĕyad) him. This expression appears in Hag 2:10, 20, for example. There is a slight distinction of meaning in the two phrases. The expression hāyâ bĕyad ('it was by the hand of') directs attention to the transmission of the message to the audience for whom it was intended, while hāyâ ʾel ('it was to') focuses on the prophet’s reception of the divine oracle. In the former instance the emphasis is on the prophet’s role as intermediate agent through whom the divine message was communicated to a third party, whereas in the latter instance the emphasis is on the prophet’s role as chosen recipient of the divine message" (Taylor and Clendenen, 107).
I shouldn't let the "human" nature of Scripture (the different genres, different emphases from different authors, etc.) distract me from the fact that all Scripture is ultimately from God, even if through human messengers. It is still completely authoritative, and completely inerrant.
"Time" (2, 4) : "The people had claimed that 'the time has not yet come,' but they evidently had enough 'time' to build their own paneled houses" (Stead, "Haggai," 612).
How do I use my time? Do I say, "I don't have enough time to meditate on Scripture at the start of the day," while I have time to eat breakfast, and even to check social media?
Connecting Words
"Therefore" (5): This word (which Motyer translates "now then") "expresses resolution and describes the immediacy of Yahweh's determination to call the people to recognize their fault" (Motyer, "Haggai," 976).
Because I'm not spending my time as wisely as I should (see above under "time"), I need to give thought to my ways, to consider the results of my actions, and how I can spend my time more wisely.
"By" (1, 3): See under "by the hand" above.
Telescope Question
How does the emphasis of the rest of Scripture help me interpret my passage more accurately?
Include one quotation discussing the overall message of the BOOK of Haggai. Then, summarize how this quotation helps you better understand Haggai 1:1-6.
"Haggai challenged the people to reassess their ways and give priority to rebuilding the temple" (Stead, "Haggai," 611).
Summaries of Haggai's message: "Drawing near to God necessitates that you take seriously the need for his presence in your midst, that he might bring forth the fulfillment of all he has promised, blessing for you and for the nations who surrender to him" (DeRouchie, How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament, 338).
"Haggai challenged the people to commit themselves to rebuilding and promised that, if they did, God would restore the glory of the temple, blessing to his people, and the Davidic monarchy" (Stead, 607).
These quotations remind me that God didn't only punish and rebuke them (v. 6, 4), but also made gracious promises of glory and blessing to them (1:13; 2:4-9, 19, 21-23).
Include one quotation that reveals how Haggai 1:1-6 helps us better interpret the BOOK of Haggai as a whole. Then, comment on this quotation.
"Their current ways—prioritizing their own prosperity—has, ironically, led to the opposite outcome. Their agricultural endeavors have produced only meager returns—they have 'sown much and harvested little.' This description echoes the curse pronounced in Deuteronomy 28:38, inviting the conclusion that their agricultural problems are God’s curse for disobeying the covenant" (Stead, "Haggai," 612).
I need to remember that God's curse was on his people because they were his covenant people. That helps me understand the big picture of whom God is addressing, and it helps me apply it correctly to God's current covenant people, the church.
Identify the appropriate GENRE of Haggai and include one related quotation. Then, summarize how this quotation helps you better understand Haggai 1:1-6.
Haggai is a prophetic book. It is also located in the Book of the Twelve.
"To many people, one of the surprising features of Jesus’ Bible is that the Minor Prophets stand together as a twelve-part book—the Book of the Twelve. Stephen, the first known Christian martyr, referred to this book when quoting Amos, saying, 'As it is written in the book of the prophets …' (Acts 7:42). In my mind, each individual prophetic book stands on its own without clear signs of outside editorial updating. Nevertheless, the nonchronological arrangement of the Twelve suggests the work of a theologically minded editor, who grouped certain works together by theme and catchphrases. Affirming the independent role of each book, what I want to do in this section is simply draw attention to the fact that together the twelve individual books proclaim a message greater than they do when each is read alone" (DeRouchie, 336).
Summary of the message of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: notice the flow of thought, and what they have to say about restoration (DeRouchie, 338). "Scholars have noted three main themes in the Twelve: sin, punishment, and restoration. While all these elements are clearly apparent at some level in each of the twelve books, Paul House has helpfully noted how the initial six books, Hosea–Micah, bear a deeper affinity toward addressing sin, that the next three, Nahum–Zephaniah, focus more closely on punishment, and that the final three, Haggai–Malachi, call higher attention to restoration" (DeRouchie, 336).
When interpreting Haggai 1:1-6, I need to remember that the overall message in the Book of the Twelve is sin->punishment->restoration. This will help keep me from an overemphasis on sin or punishment, and reminds me to focus more on restoration, the focus of Haggai-Malachi.