HAGGAI, BOOK OF

After Judah's initial return from Babylonian captivity (536 B.C.), God's people had begun the work of rebuilding the temple. Then, due to opposition from certain enemies, the Hebrews became discouraged, and the labor ceased. Haggai rebuked his people because they built their own fine homes, and yet allowed the house of God to "lie waste" (1:4). The prophet also swept their minds forward to the time of Christ when Jehovah's house would be characterized by an even greater glory, and peace (of a spiritual nature) would prevail (2:6ff).