Haggai

For our first cafe bible study we choose to turn to one of the prophets of the old testament called Haggai. It's a small book about the rebuilding of God's temple around 520 B.C. and is full of encouragement for a people who had been discouraged, dissatisfied and disinterested in putting God's will first in their lives.

Author: Haggai (meaning festive), was a prophet after the exile out of Babylon and lived during the same time as Zechariah. Haggai was a good encourager whose word was in tune with the hearts of the people and the mind of God, he was the Lord's messenger, bringing to discouraged people the assurance of God's presence.

Date: Haggai's ministry covered a period of slightly less than four months during the second year of the reign of Kind Darius, who ruled Persia from 522 BC to 486 BC.

Background: Haggai joined the exiles who had returned to their homeland in 536 BC to rebuild the temple of the Lord. They had started well, building an altar and offering sacrifices, then laying the foundation for the Lord's house the following year. Construction ceased however, as enemies mocked the builder's efforts. But the ministry opf Haggai and Zechariah caused the people to rally and complete the task within 5 years. The rebuilt temple was dedicated in 515 BC.

Source NKJV