Lesson 14: Haggai–Malachi

By the end of this lesson, the student should:

(1) Know the likely dates and historical settings of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

(2) Be able to outline the primary themes and purposes of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

(3) Appreciate the messianic promises of the Old Testament.

(4) Recognize the importance of continuing faithfulness to God’s law.

(5) Relate the messages of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi to today’s world.

► Read Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

► Memorize Haggai 2:7–9 and Malachi 3:1.

The post-exilic prophets spoke to issues Judah faced following the return from exile:

• Political difficulties: Judah was governed by Persia, there was no Davidic king, and Jerusalem’s neighbors opposed efforts to rebuild the city.

• Spiritual challenges: The Temple had not been rebuilt, marriage to unbelieving Gentiles led to religious syncretism (the blending of religions), and many Jews failed to observe the Sabbath.

• Social problems: There was tension between the Jews who had remained in Jerusalem during the exile and those returning from exile, the rich mistreated the poor, and divorce was rampant.

In 539 B.C., Babylon fell to Persia. The Persian ruler, Cyrus, issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Judah. The next year, Zerubbabel led 50,000 people from Babylon to Jerusalem. Soon after they arrived, they began rebuilding the Temple. However, enemies opposed the project and work on the Temple soon halted.

In 520 B.C., Haggai and Zechariah inspired the people to resume work on the Temple. Because of this, they are known as the “Temple prophets.” Work on the Temple resumed in 520 B.C., and the Temple was completed by 516 B.C.

In 458 B.C., Ezra led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. With his emphasis on the covenant, Ezra led a revival of worship and social reform.

Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem in 444 B.C. and led the efforts to rebuild the city’s walls. He addressed many of the same problems faced by Ezra: marriage issues, failure to observe the Sabbath, and a lack of faithfulness to the covenant. Malachi, ministering at about the same time, spoke to many of these issues.

Purpose of Haggai

Haggai began preaching in the fall of 520 B.C. He brought a series of four messages related to the Temple. Because of the challenges of life in Jerusalem, the people had lost their zeal for the Temple. Nearly two decades after Zerubbabel’s return, the Temple was still in ruins. Haggai was God’s messenger on behalf of God’s house.

Overview of Haggai

A Message about Priorities (Haggai 1)

The people had rebuilt their homes, but they had not rebuilt God’s Temple. God asked, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4).

The people placed a greater priority on their own needs than on God’s house. God warned that they were suffering poor harvests, lack of food, inadequate clothing, and wages that disappeared—all because they did not put him first.

God called on the people to put his priorities above their own interests. In response, “…the people feared the Lord,… and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God” (Haggai 1:12, 14).

The message of Haggai 1 is paralleled in 3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” It is also seen in Deuteronomy 27–28, with the promise of material blessings for the obedient and material curses for the disobedient.

While this is an important teaching, it is not the entire message of the Bible. Some preachers have taken scriptures such as Haggai 1 to teach that every faithful believer will experience financial prosperity and physical health. We must read Haggai 1 and 3 John 1 in light of scriptures such as the book of Job and Hebrews 11:37, as well as the experiences of men like Jeremiah who served God faithfully with no material blessings. Indeed, many people have suffered material loss because of their obedience to God. It is possible to prosper spiritually without receiving temporal blessings. Haggai spoke to a specific situation; he did not state a universal principle guaranteeing prosperity to every faithful child of God.

Overview of Haggai (Continued)

A Message about Discouragement (Haggai 2:1–9)

Six weeks after his first message, Haggai returned with another message from God. He asked, “Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?” (Haggai 2:3). Some of the elders who remembered the glory of Solomon’s Temple wept when they saw the reduced size and inferior construction of this new Temple (Ezra 3:12).

In response, God promised that the glory of the new Temple would be greater than that of the first Temple. This promise was fulfilled when the infant Jesus was brought to the Temple. Simeon prayed, “…for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared… for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:28–32).

A Message about Disobedience (Haggai 2:10–19)

Two months later, Haggai returned with another message from God. He reminded the priests of the laws of cleanness and uncleanness. Under the law, a sacrificial item became unclean if it came into contact with anything that was impure. Impurity was contagious.

Haggai then pointed to the lives of the people of Jerusalem. They were working on the Temple, but their impure lives were corrupting the work. Haggai reminded his listeners of a message that is of great importance for Christian workers today: your walk with God is more important than your work for God.

Haggai challenged the people to obedience. He concluded his message with God’s promise, “…From this day on I will bless you” (Haggai 2:19).

A Message about Fear (Haggai 2:20–23)

As we read Haggai, we should remember that Jerusalem was surrounded by enemies. These enemies had already succeeded once in stopping the work on the Temple (Ezra 4). God promised to overthrow those who opposed Judah. Although Judah was insignificant in comparison to the surrounding nations, she had been chosen by God and belonged to him. He would protect his people from harm. They had no cause for fear.

Purpose of Zechariah

Zechariah was a member of a priestly family that returned to Judah with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:1, 4, 12, 16). Like Haggai, Zechariah was a Temple prophet. His first message was given about two months after Haggai’s first message. Along with an emphasis on the Temple, Zechariah showed that God is restoring his kingdom, both today and in the future.

Overview of Zechariah

Eight Night Visions (Zechariah 1:1–6:8)

Zechariah begins by calling Judah to return to God. Since their ancestors rejected the prophets, God sent them into exile. Now they have returned, and Zechariah calls them to renewed faithfulness.

This introduction is followed by a series of eight night visions. Eight times, Zechariah sees a vision, asks a heavenly messenger for an interpretation, and receives an interpretation of the vision. These visions address concerns related to the post-exilic community:

• Judgment on the nations that had oppressed Judah

• Protection from their enemies

• The Temple

• Sin in the community

The visions:

1. Horsemen patrol the earth (Zechariah 1:7–17). God is preparing to restore his people and judge their oppressors.

2. Four horns and four craftsmen (Zechariah 1:8–21). God will judge Judah’s enemies. They will be scattered in the same way they scattered God’s people.

3. Surveyor with a measuring line (Zechariah 2:1–13). God has marked Jerusalem as his own. He is the wall defending the city.

4. Joshua the high priest (Zechariah 3:1–10) — restoration of the priesthood. The linen garments of the priesthood were soiled. Although Satan stood at the right hand of Joshua the high priest to accuse him, God removed the filthy garments and gave him clean clothes. God was restoring the priesthood and would send a coming Branch who would usher in a new day of peace in Israel.

5. A lampstand and two olive trees (Zechariah 4:1–14) — rebuilding of the Temple. The rebuilding of the Temple is God’s work and will be sustained by him.

6. A flying scroll (Zechariah 5:1–4) — judgment on sin. A large scroll measuring 9 meters by 4½ meters contained the covenant curses on those who broke God’s law. Sin in the post-exilic community will be judged just as it was before the exile.

7. A woman in a basket (Zechariah 5:5–11) — sin in the post-exilic community. A woman representing sin was put in a basket and sealed with a lead cover. Winged messengers flew the basket to Babylon, removing sin from Jerusalem.

8. Four chariots (Zechariah 6:1–8) — judgment on Judah’s enemies. This vision parallels the first vision. Four chariots, representing God’s Spirit at work in the world, show His sovereignty over the world. God has judged Judah’s enemies and will continue to restore His people.

Prophetic Oracles (Zechariah 6:9–14:21)

The book of Zechariah includes a series of prophetic oracles. God sends Zechariah to place a crown on the head of Joshua, the high priest. This represented the coming Branch who would rule as priest and king. This messianic message points to the coming of Jesus Christ.

In Zechariah 7–8, the prophet responds to a question from a delegation of people from Bethel. During the exile, the people fasted in the fifth month of the year to mourn the destruction of the Temple. This delegation asked if this fast was necessary now that the rebuilding of the Temple was almost complete.

Zechariah’s answer was much broader than the initial question. God asked, “Were your fasts a sign of true repentance, or were they mere rituals?” If the fasts were a sign of true repentance, and if Judah had learned the lessons of the exile, the fasts were no longer necessary. If, however, the fasts had been nothing more than ritual, they were meaningless then and now.

God then promised a time when he would turn Judah’s fasts into feasts. The day would come when the Jewish people would be honored above all peoples of the earth. “The fast of the fourth month… shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness… Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord” (Zechariah 8:19, 22).

Zechariah 9–14 looks to the coming of the Messiah. The enemies of Israel (Syria and Philistia) will be removed from the land. In a startling image, God promises to save a remnant from among the Gentiles (Zechariah 9:5–7).[1] Zechariah foretells the day when Israel’s true King will ride into Jerusalem on a donkey and will save his people (Zechariah 9:9). Unlike the proud rulers who led Judah into trouble, this ruler will be humble and righteous. He will act as a good shepherd who protects the flock. When the sheep reject this shepherd, they will be scattered. However, God will ultimately redeem his flock and rescue Jerusalem. Judah will be restored, and all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship.

Zechariah in the New Testament

Zechariah is frequently quoted in the New Testament. Commentators have noted 67 New Testament citations from Zechariah.[2] In the Gospel accounts of Passion Week (from Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday), Zechariah 9–14 is the most frequently cited section of the Old Testament. Zechariah is second only to Ezekiel in quantity of citations in the book of Revelation. Messianic prophecies in Zechariah include:

• The righteous Branch (Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12–13)

• The humble king riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9–10)

• The shepherd who was rejected and sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:4–13, Zechariah 13:7)

• The one who is pierced (Zechariah 12:10)

• The coming judge (Zechariah 14)

Purpose of Malachi

The name Malachi means “my messenger.” Because he addressed many of the sins confronted in Ezra and Nehemiah, it is likely that Malachi was a contemporary of these two leaders. Malachi probably preached sometime between 475 and 425 B.C.

Although Judah had not returned to idolatry, their religious observance was empty. Professions of loyalty to Yahweh were not accompanied by changed lives. Malachi wrote to announce God’s accusations against Judah.

Malachi also answered Judah’s complaints against Yahweh. Haggai and Zechariah promised that the rebuilding of the Temple would bring peace, prosperity, and the return of God’s presence. Instead, Judah was suffering from drought, economic struggles, and political weakness. The people blamed Yahweh for failing to keep his promises. Malachi wrote to bring God’s response to these complaints.

► Malachi confronted Judah for failing to meet God’s demands. Although they brought sacrifices to the Temple and observed the rituals of the law, they did not honor God. Before reading Malachi’s accusations, discuss ways in which believers today could be dishonoring God.

Overview of Malachi

The book of Malachi consists of a series of six arguments. Each argument is stated in three parts:

1. God makes a statement regarding Judah’s behavior.

2. The people respond with a question.

3. God replies to the question.

Argument 1: God’s Love for His People (Malachi 1:2–5)

1. Introduction: “I have loved you.”

2. Question: “How have you loved us?”

3. Answer: God honored Israel (Jacob) while punishing Edom (Esau).[1]

Argument 2: The Priests’ Contempt for God (Malachi 1:6–2:9)

1. Introduction: “A son honors his father. If I am your father, where is my honor? Why do the priests despise my name?”

2. Question: “How have we despised your name?”

3. Answer: “By offering polluted food upon my altar.” Instead of honoring the altar of the Lord, the priests sacrificed lame and sick animals.

Argument 3: Failure to Respect the Marriage Covenant (Malachi 2:10–16)

1. Introduction: Judah has been faithless and has profaned the covenant.

2. Question: “How have we profaned the covenant?”

3. Answer: By marrying idol worshippers and by breaking the marriage covenant through divorce.

Argument 4: God’s Justice (Malachi 2:17–3:5)

1. Introduction: “You have wearied the Lord with your words.”

2. Question: “How have we wearied him?”

3. Answer: By accusing God of approving of evil.

God assures Judah that he will send a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord himself to come to his Temple. He will judge sin wherever he finds it.

Argument 5: Stealing God’s Tithe (Malachi 3:6–12)

1. Introduction: “I the Lord do not change. Return to me, and I will return to you.”

2. Question: “How shall we return?”

3. Answer: By demonstrating faithfulness through paying God’s tithe.

Argument 6: Harsh Words Against the Lord (Malachi 3:13–4:3)

1. Introduction: “Your words have been hard against me.”

2. Question: “How have we spoken against you?”

3. Answer: You have said, “It is vain to serve God.” The people accuse God of failing to bless the obedient and judge the disobedient.

God promises that the day of the Lord is coming. In that day, God will judge evildoers and will preserve the faithful.

Conclusion (Malachi 4:4–6)

In his conclusion, Malachi restates the message of the entire book. He calls on Judah to look back (“Remember the law of Moses”) and to look forward (“Behold I will send you Elijah” to prepare for the great and dreadful day of the Lord).

As we finish our survey of the Old Testament, take time to look up a few of the many prophecies that are fulfilled in the coming of Christ. Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, God revealed precise details of his life. The fulfillment of these prophecies testifies to Jesus as the promised Messiah. Tap here for a downloadable version of the following table.

Haggai reminds us that we are God’s people and that he is accomplishing his purpose through the church. The promise of Haggai 2:9 was never completely fulfilled in the rebuilt Temple. The Most Holy Place never again contained the Ark of the Covenant, and God’s glory was never seen in the degree that accompanied the dedication of the first Temple (2 Chronicles 5:13–14).

However, beginning with the visit of the infant Jesus to the Temple and continuing to the ministry of the church today, this promise is being fulfilled. In the earthly ministry of Jesus, we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father (John 1:14). In the ministry of the early church, God’s glory was seen throughout the Roman Empire. Today, as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), we continue to reveal God’s glory to the world.

Part of Haggai’s message is based on the Old Testament laws of ritual purity. In the Law of Moses, a ritually pure item that came into contact with an impure item became unclean. However, through the coming of Jesus, this is turned around. Jesus (clean) touches lepers (unclean) and makes them clean. Followers of Jesus are called to be the salt of the earth, bringing purity into an impure world. In Philippians, Paul reminds his readers that, though we live in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, we must shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). We do not need to fear contact with an impure world. Instead, we are called to bring the holiness of God into our world and to transform those with whom we make contact.

Zechariah and Malachi show God’s demand for continued faithfulness. Writing after the return from exile, these prophets show that we cannot rest on yesterday’s blessings. One might have expected that the lessons of the exile would have prevented Israel from ever returning to her pattern of unfaithfulness. However, Zechariah, in 520 B.C., and Malachi, two generations later, show how quickly we can forget the lessons that God teaches us. We must constantly return to the authority of God’s Word.

(1) Choose one of the following assignments:

Option 1: Group Assignment

Using the interpretation model presented in Lesson 13, apply one of the arguments of Malachi to the church today. (See “A Closer Look at Old Testament Interpretation” in Lesson 13 for more information.) Discuss the original message to Judah, the differences between Judah and the church today, the principle taught in Malachi, how the principle is seen in other passages of scripture, and the application of the principle for today’s church.

Option 2: Individual Assignment

Prepare a detailed sermon or Bible study outline from Malachi on “Faithfulness to God.” Use the structure of the arguments to show how God might speak to the church today.

(2) Take a test based on this lesson. Study the test questions carefully in preparation.

If needed, download a printable PDF of all the Test questions here.

(1) What three spiritual challenges were addressed by the post-exilic prophets?

(2) What is the date for Haggai and Zechariah?

(3) List the topics for each of Haggai’s four messages.

(4) What is the theme of Zechariah?

(5) List two messianic prophecies found in Zechariah.

(6) Why do we believe that Malachi preached between 475 and 425 B.C.?

(7) List the three parts of each of the arguments in Malachi.

(8) Write Haggai 2:7–9 and Malachi 3:1 from memory.