Haggai (Opening Up)

What makes the book of Haggai especially interesting is that he is one of the three last prophets of the Old Testament period to receive God's revelation before the coming of Christ. He was a man with a single message for the people of his day, and he preached it with unparalleled persuasive force and power. That message was concentrated on the need to rebuild the temple, which had been neglected for many years. But by the time Haggai appeared on the scene the people had become dispirited and had lost interest in the rebuilding project. But he knew that its restoration was essential as the outward sign of the covenant, and of the Lord's presence with his people. We know hardly anything about Haggai as an individual, but he was surely an inspiring preacher, succeededing in getting the people enthused for the work, and having the temple completed and dedicated in 516 B.C.