Haggai

In the second year of King Darius (520 BC) the word of the LORD comes through Haggai: the returned exiles say, “It isn’t time to rebuild the house of God,” while they panel their own homes. God exposes the futility of their labor—drought, scant harvests, empty purses—and urges them to bring timber and rebuild the temple so He may take pleasure in it. Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and the remnant obey; the LORD stirs their spirits and, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, work on the temple resumes.

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, Haggai asks the elders who saw Solomon’s temple whether the new one seems like ‘nothing’; yet God promises, “Be strong… My Spirit remains; don’t fear.” He will soon shake heavens, earth, sea, nations, and fill this house with glory—“the silver is Mine, the gold is Mine”—and the latter glory will surpass the former, granting peace. Two months later Haggai teaches that holiness isn’t transferred by contact but defilement is; so Israel’s past uncleanness kept harvests meager. From this day of obedience, God will bless their fields. Finally He foretells a cosmic overthrow of thrones and armies, making Zerubbabel His signet ring—pledging the Davidic line’s restoration.