Haggai 1:1-15

The prophet Haggai delivered his first message on the first day of the sixth month in the second year of the reign of Darius. It was addressed especially to those in authority. The people were excusing themselves from building by saying that the time had not come. The prophet replied by reminding them that they were dwelling in their own ceded houses, while the house of God was lying waste. He called them to consider their ways, reminding them of the long-continued material failure in which they had lived.

He then urged them to build the house of God, declaring that all the failure to which he had already referred was of the nature of divine punishment for their neglect of His house.

There was an immediate response to Haggai's appeal, first by the governor and priest, and then by the people. This response was followed, first, by a word of encouragement, in which the prophet declared that Jehovah was with them, and, second, by new enthusiasm among the people.