The Book of Haggai

The Book of Haggai is a short book in the Old Testament. It was written by the prophet Haggai. He lived after the Jewish people returned from exile in Babylon. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, and the people were trying to start over.

God gave Haggai a message for the people. They were busy building their own houses and farms, but they were not rebuilding the temple. Haggai told them to make the temple a priority. He said their lives would not feel complete until they honored God first.

The people listened to Haggai. That makes this book different from many other prophetic books. Often, people ignored the prophets. But in Haggai’s time, they obeyed. They worked together to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Haggai shows us that faith needs action. It reminds us not to put God last. Even in hard times, we are called to serve God first. The message is simple, but it still speaks to us today.

The Book of Haggai was written around 520 B.C. This was a special time in the history of God’s people. The Jews had just come back from being taken away to Babylon. For seventy years, they had lived far from home. Now they were free and back in Jerusalem.

But things were not easy. Their city was in ruins. The temple, where they used to worship God, had been destroyed. They started to rebuild it but gave up when problems came. Many turned to their own needs instead of finishing God’s house.

Haggai was a prophet during this time. We don’t know much about him, but his name means “festival” or “feast.” He spoke messages from God to remind the people of their duty. He told them to put God first and rebuild the temple.

Haggai’s words were clear and strong. He spoke for just a few months, but people listened. His short book is only two chapters long, but it had a big impact.

The Book of Haggai is very short. It only has two chapters. But every word matters. Haggai speaks clearly and directly. There is no poetry or long storytelling. His message is simple: put God first.

The book is made up of four short messages. Each one has a clear date. That helps us know exactly when they were spoken. Haggai uses real examples from the people’s daily lives. He talks about poor harvests and empty homes. He shows how ignoring God affects everything.

Haggai often says, “says the Lord.” This reminds us that these are not just his own words. He is speaking a message from God. The tone is serious but hopeful. Haggai encourages the people and tells them that God is still with them.

Because it is short and clear, the Book of Haggai is easy to read. It gets straight to the point. It speaks to anyone who has ever forgotten to put God first.

The main message in Haggai is simple: honor God before everything else. This connects with many Catholic teachings. It reminds us that faith is not just about belief. It is also about action.

• God comes first: The people were focused on their homes and crops. Haggai reminded them that they must build the temple first. Catholics are also called to put God at the center of life.
• Worship matters: The temple was the place for prayer and worship. Rebuilding it showed that worship is important. In the Church, the Mass and the sacraments are the heart of our faith.
• God stays with His people: Even when times are hard, God does not leave. Haggai told the people that God was still with them. This reminds us of Jesus, who said, “I am with you always.”
• Work and faith go together: Haggai shows that the people had to act. They had to rebuild. Catholics are also called to live out our faith in real ways, not just talk about it.

The Book of Haggai calls us to stop and think. Are we making space for God in our lives? Are we giving Him our best? These are good questions for every Catholic to ask.

The Book of Haggai is easy to follow. It is divided into four main messages. Each one has a date and a focus. Haggai speaks to the people, the priests, and the leaders.

1. Call to Rebuild the Temple (Haggai 1:1–15)
   Haggai tells the people they are putting their own needs first. He says that is why their crops are failing. He urges them to rebuild the temple. The people listen and begin the work.
2. Encouragement to Keep Going (Haggai 2:1–9)
   Some people feel sad because the new temple is not as grand as the old one. Haggai tells them not to give up. He says God is with them and will bless their work.
3. A Reminder of Blessing and Obedience (Haggai 2:10–19)
   Haggai speaks to the priests. He gives a lesson about holiness and obedience. He reminds the people that God will bless them now that they are doing what is right.
4. A Message to Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:20–23)
   Zerubbabel is the governor. Haggai gives him a special message. God says He will honor him in the future. This gives hope for better days to come.

Each section of Haggai is short, but it has a clear purpose. The book is simple, clear, and easy to follow.

The Book of Haggai has only a few main people, but each one plays an important part. These people helped lead the rebuilding of the temple and reminded others to stay faithful.

• Haggai
  He is the prophet who speaks for God. He encourages the people to rebuild the temple. He gives four short messages to guide and remind them.
• Zerubbabel
  He is the governor of Judah. He is from the royal family of David. Haggai speaks to him directly. He helps lead the rebuilding project.
• Joshua (also called Jeshua)
  He is the high priest. He works with Zerubbabel to lead the people. Haggai mentions him as someone who should stay faithful and strong.
• The people of Judah
  They had returned from exile. At first, they forgot about the temple. But after Haggai’s message, they listen and begin to build.

These characters show that leaders and people must work together to follow God’s call. They remind us that faith takes action.

Haggai may be an old book, but its message still matters. People today are busy with many things—work, school, family, and fun. It is easy to forget God. Haggai reminds us to stop and ask what really comes first in our lives.

In the book, the people cared more about their houses than about God’s house. That can happen now too. We sometimes spend all our time on what we want and leave no time for prayer, Mass, or service. Haggai tells us to change that.

Haggai also shows that God stays with us when we do the right thing. When the people listened and acted, God gave them courage. Catholics today are also called to live our faith and trust that God is near.

This book reminds us to check our hearts. Are we building a strong life with God at the center? If not, it’s time to start again. Just like the people in Haggai’s day, we can return to what matters most.

The Book of Haggai is sometimes read during weekday Mass. It does not appear in the Sunday readings. But when it is read, it still gives a strong message that fits our lives today.

The readings from Haggai remind us to put God first. At Mass, these words help us think about what we value. They challenge us to make time for God in a busy world.

Haggai’s message also fits well with readings from the Gospels. It pairs with stories where Jesus calls people to turn back to God or to live with greater trust and faith. The readings work together to help us grow.

Even though it is a short book, Haggai is part of the Church’s plan for prayer and learning. When we hear it at Mass, we are reminded again to rebuild our lives around God.

• Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time I – Haggai 1:1-8: A Call to Rebuild God’s House
• Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time I – Haggai 2:1-9: The Promise of a Greater Glory

Wake Up and Rebuild

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz talks about the short but strong message of the Book of Haggai, chapters 1 and 2. The people had returned from exile, but after 16 years, they still hadn’t rebuilt the temple. Fr. Mike explains how Haggai speaks into their apathy and calls them out.

He says the people were focused on their own homes while God’s house was still in ruins. Haggai tells them that they aren’t satisfied with life because they’ve ignored what God asked them to do. Fr. Mike points out that this is a warning for us too.

Fr. Mike also says that Haggai speaks to those who feel discouraged. Even after starting the work, things didn’t seem better. But God reminds them to take courage and keep going.

Lastly, Fr. Mike says Haggai warns that if the people don’t change, there will be consequences. He encourages listeners to look at their own lives—where there is apathy, sadness, or sin—and return to the Lord.

The Bible

Want to learn more about the Bible? Haggai is just one small part of a much bigger story. Every book in the Bible has something to teach us. Some are short, like Haggai, and some are long. But they all help us grow in faith.

To explore more, visit our page about Understanding the Bible. It gives clear, simple help for reading Scripture. Whether you are new to the Bible or have read it for years, this page is a great place to start.

Who was Haggai?

Haggai was a prophet. He spoke to the Jewish people after they returned from exile in Babylon. God gave him messages to help guide the people.

What is the main message of the Book of Haggai?

The main message is to put God first. Haggai told the people to stop focusing only on themselves and to rebuild the temple.

Why is the temple so important in Haggai?

The temple was the place where the people worshiped God. Rebuilding it showed that they were ready to return to their faith and trust in God again.

Is Haggai still important today?

Yes. Haggai helps us think about what comes first in our lives. It teaches us to give time and care to our faith.

The Book of Haggai is short, but it carries a clear message. It was written after the Jewish people returned from exile in Babylon. Their temple had been destroyed, and their lives were unsettled. Instead of fixing the temple, they focused on their own houses and farms. Haggai called them to stop and think.

Haggai spoke four messages. He told the people that their struggles were connected to how they were living. They were putting themselves first and forgetting God. The temple was a symbol of their faith. Rebuilding it would help them turn back to God.

The people listened. That makes this book different from many others. They obeyed Haggai’s message and began to rebuild. God promised to bless them and stay with them.

Haggai teaches us to put God first. It reminds us that our faith should shape how we live. Even now, this small book has a message that still speaks clearly.

Take a few minutes to read the Book of Haggai. It is only two chapters long, but the message is strong. Think about what you place first in your life and how you care for your faith.

After you read, come back and share your thoughts. Has this short book helped you think about your own choices? Tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear your story.