The Book of Haggai is important because of the way that it illustrates and explains how life will inevitably be disappointing and frustrating when we focus mostly on pursuing our own desires and objectives rather than on whatever purpose and objectives may be God's will for our lives.

Haggai was called by God to encourage the people to finish building the temple in Jerusalem. Construction had stopped because of opposition from neighboring countries and because the Jews were preoccupied with their own self-interests in their own lives.

The people of Judah had been humbled by their exile to Babylon. They hoped to return to their promised land, but they were discouraged by opposition to rebuilding the temple. When Haggai pointed out that their lack of food, clothing, and shelter was due to their failure to rebuild the temple, they became receptive to his message.

He delivered a series of messages to encourage them to finish building the temple and to have hope in God for His promise of blessings in the future. As they began to rebuild the temple, they began to experience a shift from self-focus to greater devotion to God. They realized that nothing was more important than the concept that the Lord God must be at the center of their thoughts and actions.

In chapter 1, God called on Haggai to deliver His message. The Jews were living in comfortable houses while the house of God was unfinished. The people tried to say that time had not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt. But Haggai pointed out to them how unsatisfying and unfulfilling their lives were. Nothing satisfied them as they tried to make their own lives comfortable while neglecting the temple of God.

In chapter 2, Haggai encouraged them to resume work at rebuilding the temple and he promised that in so doing God would bless them. God said, As for the promise that I made to you when you came out of Egypt, my spirit is abiding in your midst. Take courage. Do not fear. You are building more than you see.

Haggai encouraged them with hope of future glory in the temple and victory over their enemies. If the people would put God at the center of their lives, then they would realize the blessings that God had promised. Haggai focused on opposition that they faced because of their own sin. They had put their own interests ahead of the Lord and looking after their own safety and security rather than on the Lord's house.

God had a purpose for the people in rebuilding the temple. Take Courage, Work diligently. And do not be afraid. You are building more than you see.

The heavens and the earth and sea and land and all treasures are mine. I will take the fruit of your labor and make it glorious beyond measure, no matter how trivial it may seem to you now.

The principle here applies to us all. God takes small, imperfect things and builds them into a habitation for his glory. Nothing we do in life is trivial if and when we do it in the name of God. He will shake heaven and earth to fill your labor with splendor.