Haggai 2: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Haggai 2 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

In the seventh month, Yahweh’s word came to Haggai. He told Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of the people to be strong and work. Yahweh promised, ‘I am with you’ (vv. 1-4). He reminded them of the covenant from Egypt and told them not to be afraid. Yahweh said he would shake the heavens and fill the house with glory (vv. 5-9).

Key verse

‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says Yahweh of Armies; ‘and in this place will I give peace,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”
Haggai 2:9 (WEB)

Outline

Haggai 2:1–4 God's Assurance of Presence
Haggai 2:5–9 Promise of Future Glory
Haggai 2:10–14 Purity and Consecration Explained
Haggai 2:15–19 Call to Consider Past and Future
Haggai 2:20–23 Promise to Zerubbabel

Discussion questions

In v3, what does God ask the people regarding 'this house' and its former glory?
What does God command Zerubbabel and Joshua to do in v4?
In vv. 12-13, what is the implication of the priests' answers concerning 'unclean' and 'holy'?
In v18, why does God instruct the people to 'consider' from a specific day and backward?
When have you felt that your efforts were 'unclean' in relation to your priorities, as noted in v14?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Haggai 2: Jeremiah 30, Haggai 1, Zechariah 4.

Before next time: read Zechariah 1.