Hag 1:4 | TNotes | STEP | 1:4 Why are you? Rhetorical questions in prophetic literature call for agreement rather than a reply (see 2:3 ). The purpose of this question is to remove the listeners’ opportunity to offer excuses in response to the message. • The luxurious (or covered, paneled ) houses of the people contrasted with God’s Temple, which was in ruins (or desolate ) and thus unusable.

‏ Haggai 1:4

1:4 ^a Why are you? Rhetorical questions in prophetic literature call for agreement rather than a reply (see 2:3 ^b). The purpose of this question is to remove the listeners’ opportunity to offer excuses in response to the message.

• The luxurious (or covered, paneled) houses of the people contrasted with God’s Temple, which was in ruins (or desolate) and thus unusable.