HAGGAI
The book of Haggai is a brief prophetic text in the Old Testament, written around 520 B.C.* during the post-exilic period when the Jews had returned from Babylonian captivity. Haggai's message is primarily focused on encouraging the Israelites to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed decades earlier. The prophet calls out the people for neglecting God's house while focusing on their own comfort, urging them to prioritize the Temple's reconstruction as a central part of their covenant relationship with God.
Haggai's prophecy is delivered in four messages, stressing that the people's hardships, including poor harvests, were a direct result of their failure to honor God by rebuilding the Temple. He assures them that if they obey and complete the work, God will bless them and restore His favor. Haggai also offers hope, declaring that the glory of the new Temple will surpass that of the old, and foreshadows a future period of peace and prosperity under God's rule.
The key themes in Haggai include obedience, the importance of worship, the connection between spiritual priorities and material well-being, and God's faithfulness to His promises. Ultimately, Haggai calls the people to renew their commitment to God by rebuilding the Temple as a symbol of their restored relationship with Him.
* I believe this date may be incorrect.