1. A call to repentance (1-11)

Sixteen years had passed since the remnant in Jerusalem had laid the foundation for the new temple. At the time, they celebrated their progress with great shouts of joy. However, as problems and difficulties arose, they abandoned the work on the temple, concluding that the time for building the temple had not yet come. Instead of seeking God and persevering in building the Lord's house, they focused on building nice homes for themselves and enjoying the pleasures of life. Through Haggai, God called them to give careful thought to their ways. Because of their disobedience, God withheld his blessings from the land. The solution was to honor the Lord and obey his word. They were to go into the mountains for timber and finish building the temple.

2. The fruit of repentance (12-15)

Something wonderful happens in these verses. Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the whole remnant obeyed the voice of God and the message of Haggai. They responded to the word of God with a holy and reverent fear of the Lord. In response, God declared, "I am with you". God's presence is all we need to obey his word and overcome the world. God stirred the spirits of his people and they experienced a revival. Their fears were gone and they began to work on the temple again.