What about Haggai?

What do we know about Haggai? In the time of Haggai, God’s people were living through a period of nation shaking events, and they were really struggling to adjust in a Godly way. They were coming home from a 70 year exile to a land that had been destroyed, and they had a lot of challenges in adjusting to their “new normal.” This is something we can certainly relate to.
Haggai deals with procrastination, misplaced priorities, complacency, dealing with mistakes, and discouragement. Those are all problems that are real for us too. This book doesn’t just apply to the people of Haggai’s day; it’s meant for ALL followers of God throughout all time.

Pure and Simple Bible · 141 | What About Haggai?: part 1 of 2 (with Bryce Whittacker)

Pure and Simple Bible · 142 | What About Haggai?: part 2 of 2 (with Bryce Whittaker)

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Extra Notes from Bryce:

I want to take a quick look at the kind of man and follower of God that Haggai was. 
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First, He had FOCUS (and stuck to his purpose). This book is totally unlike any of the other prophets. It’s short and to the point, he dates all his work, and there's really no spectacular figurative language like some of the prophets; Haggai’s focus was to preach God’s word and get the temple rebuilt. 

Second, He always gave God the credit (beyond a shadow of a doubt). 26 times in 38 verses he makes it clear his words came from God himself. He gave God the glory and the credit where it was due. 

Third, As a leader he was hands on (led by example).  Like we read in Ezra 5:1-2 HE WAS THERE helping these people rebuild. He wasn’t a passive leader but he got on the front lines and helped get the job done. Those are the kind of leaders we respect and the kind of leaders the church needs.

He also made those around him better.  He was the teammate everyone wants. He didn’t put anyone down… He CHALLENGED them when they were in the wrong with God and needed correcting, but he built people up.  And we all need friends to correct us when we’re out of line.  Proverbs 27:6 says that the wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy.  That it’s better to have your friend give you some stern correction than people hype you up in doing what’s wrong.  And after Haggai’s rather harsh prophesying at times, the people were motivated to work and to live for God. And Ultimately, he did what God told him and GOT THE JOB DONE.  Ezra 6:14-15 says that they actually finished this second temple!  Which never would have got done without Haggai’s preaching.  Haggai was told what to do by God, and he DID it and stayed till the job was done. He persevered.