Introduction

Haggai’s third sermon, delivered to post-exile Israel, emphasizes the necessity of consecrated hearts and hands for accomplishing God’s purposes. He reminds them of their past fruitlessness due to covenant unfaithfulness, assures them of God’s promise to bless their faithful obedience, and points to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom through His chosen Savior King.

Key Points

• Situation: The first batch of post-exiles were dejected by the shoddy temple that they are laboring for.
• Main Point: God requires consecrated hearts and hands to accomplish His kingdom purposes.
• Purpose: Consecrate yourselves by turning to the LORD as you build His dwelling place on earth as it is in heaven.

Haggai 2:10–14

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: “If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?” The priests answered and said, “No.” And Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.”

According to Levitical law, holiness is not contagious, but impurity is (Lev 10:10). Haggai warns that even religious acts cannot cleanse impure hearts—on the contrary, impure hearts defile even holy work. Religious activities cannot purify us. Before serving God, we must first be cleansed by Him—and this is possible only through Jesus, who makes us truly clean (Heb 10:10–14).

Haggai 2:15–19

Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.

God reminds Israel that before they obeyed, their work was fruitless. Now, because they have turned back to Him, He promises to bless them. God’s blessings follow true repentance. When we seek first His kingdom (Matt 6:33), we can trust in His faithful provision.

Haggai 2:20–23

The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms.” I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.

The signet ring symbolizes God’s delegated authority. Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, was a foreshadowing of Christ—the ultimate Messianic King who would usher in God’s eternal kingdom (Matt 1:12–16). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to reign as King (Luke 1:32–33). Through Him, we are invited into His kingdom, where we will reign with Him forever (Rev 22:3–5).

Conclusion

Haggai’s third message reminds post-exile Israel that God requires consecrated hearts and hands to accomplish His kingdom purposes. He calls His people to reflect on their fruitless past, consecrate themselves, and turn to Him in faithful obedience. God promises that as they remain faithful, He will bless them, shake the nations, and fulfill His kingdom promises through His chosen Savior King.

Summary

1. God exposes the people’s uncleanness and the defilement of their works (2:11–14).
2. He calls them to reflect on their past fruitlessness as evidence of their covenant unfaithfulness (2:15–17).
3. God promises to bless their faithful obedience as they rebuild the temple (2:18–19).
4. He assures them of His future judgment on the nations and His ultimate plan to establish His kingdom (2:20–22).
5. God reaffirms His promise of a Savior King through Zerubbabel’s line (2:23).