Haggai religious festival

To Judah. Haggai was among the first small group of Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Led by Zerubbabel, they began working on the Temple’s foundation but soon the progress was halted by conflicts. Construction was put on hold as the people worked on their own homes and farms.

Haggai delivered four distinct messages to the leaders.

• Get back to work on the Temple or you will not prosper.

• This Temple is smaller than the original, but the Lord will fill it with more glory.

• You and your offerings are defiled, but now that you are rebuilding the Temple the Lord will bless you.

• The Lord will shake things up and give Zerubbabel authority.