HAGGAI
In 538 b.c., about fifty thousand Jews left Babylon and returned to their homeland to rebuild the temple and restore the nation. In 536, they laid the foundation of the temple; but the work was stopped by their enemies and was not resumed until 520 under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah. (Review Ezra 1–6.)
The book is comprised of four messages that Haggai gave during a period of four months. His purpose was to get the workers back on the job and to keep them working until the temple was completed. His first message called them to be honest (1:1–15) and put God’s house ahead of their own houses. Then he appealed to them to be strong (
Whenever God’s work is being neglected, the preaching of the Word gets things going again.
“The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not “What a lovely sermon!’ but, “I will do something!’”
Francis de Sales