CST100 Critical Assignment: An Introduction To

1cst100 Critical Assignmentan Introduction To By

Analyze a book of the Bible by exploring its introductory issues, literary structure, place in the storyline, major theological themes, personal reflection, and bibliography. Follow the provided template carefully, ensuring your submission is original, free from plagiarism, and formatted as a Word document. Use the example paper provided for guidance, and watch all instructional videos on completing the assignment. The final paper should be 6-10 pages, submitted by December 7, 2022, at 10:00 pm USA time.

Paper For Above instruction

The book of Haggai, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets, presents a concise yet powerful message centered on the rebuilding of the Jewish temple after the exile. Presumed to have been authored by the prophet Haggai himself, the text provides a theological reflection on obedience, divine providence, and the fulfillment of God's promises amidst challenging circumstances. This analysis will focus on the introductory issues presented in the book, its literary structure, its placement within the biblical narrative, its major theological themes, and personal reflections on its relevance today.

Introduction

The book of Haggai is set in the post-exilic period, around 520–515 BC, during the Persian Empire's rule over Judah. It emerges at a critical juncture when the Jewish community, having returned from Babylonian captivity, faces the task of restoring their religious and national identity through the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The introductory issues predominantly concern the context of the exile and the theological significance of restoring God's dwelling among His people. Haggai’s call highlights the lingering discontent and spiritual complacency among the exiles, emphasizing the importance of obedience and divine blessing in fulfilling God's covenant promises.

Literary Structure

The structure of Haggai is straightforward yet thematically profound. It comprises four distinct messages delivered over a short span, characterized by focuses such as urging the temple’s reconstruction, contrasting the former and latter glory of the temple, emphasizing obedience, and considering future divine intervention. The first message (Haggai 1:1-11) prompts Zerubbabel and Joshua to rebuild the temple, addressing their disobedience and lack of priorities. The second message (Haggai 2:1-9) predicts the surpassing glory of the new temple compared to Solomon’s original, emphasizing divine presence and blessing. The third message (Haggai 2:10-19) calls for purity and obedience, promising future blessings contingent upon faithfulness. Its final message (Haggai 2:20-23) underscores divine sovereignty and the appointment of Zerubbabel as God’s chosen leader, signifying divine authority and future hope.

Place in the Storyline

Haggai fits within the overarching biblical narrative as a prophet focused on the theme of restoration and divine sovereignty. Positioned within the "Prophesied Kingdom" segment of Roberts’ biblical metanarrative, it links Israel’s fall due to disobedience with the hope of future restoration through divine intervention. The book bridges the historical event of rebuilding the temple with the larger messianic expectation, emphasizing that God's plan for His people remains active despite setbacks. It also foreshadows the arrival of the Messiah, aligning with the prophetic theme that God's redemptive work involves both immediate and future fulfillments. Haggai’s encouragement to rebuild the temple is an act of faith and obedience that points forward to the ultimate divine dwelling through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Major Theological Themes and Message

The primary theological theme of Haggai is the significance of the temple as the dwelling place of God, symbolizing divine presence, honor, and blessing. The neglect of the temple reflects the people's spiritual disobedience, which hindered God's blessing on their community. Haggai underscores that obedience to God's commands results in divine favor and blessing—"I am with you" (Haggai 1:13)—highlighting the covenant relationship. The theme of divine sovereignty is also central, as God orchestrates history through leaders like Zerubbabel and Joshua to fulfill His redemptive purposes. The prophet reinforces that divine plans are relentless, and the reconstruction of the temple is pivotal in God's larger plan for salvation history, foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah, who ultimately fulfills these theological themes in a greater spiritual sense.

Personal Reflection

Reflecting on Haggai reveals the enduring relevance of obedience, faith, and divine providence. The narrative demonstrates that God's faithfulness persists even when His people falter. This resonates personally, as I recognize my own struggles with faithfulness and obedience in everyday life. The text encourages me to prioritize my relationship with God, understanding that commitment and obedience invite divine blessing and presence. Additionally, the prophetic encouragement in Haggai to look forward with hope inspires me to trust in God's future promises, especially in times of uncertainty and challenge. The book underscores that God's redemptive plans are ongoing and that His sovereignty remains unshaken, which motivates me to remain faithful amid life's distractions and difficulties. Lastly, recognizing how the temple prefigures Christ's presence enriches my understanding of the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, reinforcing the importance of reading Scripture as a unified narrative of God's salvation.

References

• Bloomhardt, P. F. (1928). "The Poem of Haggai." Hebrew Union College Annual, 5, 153–195.
• Coomber, M. J. M., Page, H. R., & Yee, G. A. (2016). The Prophets. Fortress Press.
• Goswell, G. (2010). “The Fate and Future of Zerubbabel in the Prophecy of Haggai.” Biblica, 91(1), 77-90.
• Hill, A. E. (2012). Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: an Introduction and Commentary. IVP Academic.
• O’Brien, J. M. (2004). Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Abingdon Press.
• Petterson, A. R. (2015). Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi. Apollos.
• Roberts, D. (2010). The Bible and the Future. Zondervan.
• Taylor, R. A., & Clendenen, E. R. (2004). Haggai, Malachi. Broadman & Holman.
• Yee, G., Coomber, M. J. M., & Page, H. R. (2016). The Prophets. Fortress Press.
• Wilson, R. (2014). The Minor Prophets. Eerdmans.