Launching Into Haggai

Texture. Brick. Wall. A background with attritions and cracks
Today begins our 2-month project memorizing Haggai. Here’s the plan:
Haggai is a two-chapter book with 38 verses.
The first chapter has 15 verses so we’ll do that in July.
The second chapter has 23 verses and we’ll do that in August.

Getting Started: Verse one is our first challenge. This is how I will do it, phrase by phrase.
In the 2nd year of King Darius
on the 1st day of the 6th month
th word of the Lord came thru the prophet Haggai
to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah
and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

Names: the pronunciation of the names is enough to discourage anyone. But we will not be dissuaded. These are the generally accepted pronunciations for these names. Accent is in all Caps. Keep in mind for the future that most Hebrew words put the accent on the second syllable, not the first.
Darius = Dar EYE us
Haggai = HAG eye
Zerubbabel = Zeh RUB a bull
Shealtiel = SHEEL tee EL
Jehozadak = Jeh HOZ a dack

Tips:
• Memorize in the version that you prefer. I will be doing NIV-1984.
• Have the words accessible so you can take them with you: handwrite, copy, phone
• Go at your own pace. Some verses are long and may take longer.

Question:
• Should you study the book while you’re memorizing it? Or after?
It doesn’t matter which order—I’ve done it both ways. I usually like to memorize first and then I study to pick up what I’ve missed. However with Haggai, there’s a lot of background information that will be helpful in understanding what you’ve memorized.
Cherie, in our community has offered some excellent resources:

• http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/take-courage-you-build-more-than-you-see

• https://www.preachitteachit.org/sermons/sermon-series-detail/resource/series/Chans-Haggai-on-Priorities/

• Many resources are out there so send in your favorites to the comments.

There’s so much more I’d love to tell you about Haggai, but there’s something special about truth you discover yourself. I’ll check back in a few days.

Feel free to ask questions on the comments and we can all share our insights. Also, let me know if anyone wants to join this project. We have 14 so far.

13 comments to Launching Into Haggai

  • Lynette Nobles

    Okay, I am ahead in this ballgame! No, not really, as I started memorizing Haggai after I finish Titus, but I petered out around 1:12. So, I will get up, brush off and try to keep up with the rest of you.

  • Holly

    Yay! I’ve been looking forward to today. I’m also looking forward to discovering truth along the way and hearing what you’d love to share with us, Janet.

  • Catherine

    I’m joining in. I haven’t done old testament book memorization, apart from Psalms, but I will take the challenge.

  • Mike F.

    I am into Haggai! Have spent the last month in preparation. Now it is time to get serious. I am posting it on my face book page. I have divided Haggai into 8 portions. I plan on posting one portion per week for eight weeks. I am already starting to get some good feed back. So many want to do something for a nation wide revival. I believe with all my heart, that teaching people to remember and meditate on God’s Holy word is the answer. This should involve men also. It will be to our shame, if we men, do not also learn the value of remembering.

  • Phyllis Williamson

    in Hebrews 1:1 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets…. In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. Jesus so often quotes the prophets… Do we care to know what God says? this has spurred my heart to memorize this little book! We live in a society that does not care what God says. May our hearts always be tender to what God is telling us ! I found a verse from Haggai in Hebrews, thank you Janet for the challenge to hide the words of Haggai in our heart! I am looking forward to the next 2 months!

    • oh thank you Phyllis for those appropriate words. I too am looking forward to what God is saying through Haggai. God still speaks today and his truth is timeless.

  • Shan

    Thank you, Janet, for the helpful ideas for memorizing Haggai. We’re off to a good start!