The Book of Haggai is a short prophetic book in the Old Testament, consisting of only two chapters. It is attributed to the prophet Haggai, who is believed to have lived during the post-exilic period of Israel's history, specifically around 520 B.C. Haggai's primary mission was to encourage the people of Judah to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after their return from Babylonian exile. His messages are characterized by a sense of urgency and a call to action, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God's house over personal interests.
The setting of Haggai is crucial for understanding its message. After the Babylonian exile, the Jewish people returned to their homeland but faced significant challenges, including economic hardship and opposition from neighboring peoples. The temple, which was central to their worship and identity, lay in ruins. Haggai's prophecies were delivered to a demoralized community that needed both encouragement and direction to fulfill their covenant responsibilities to God.