3:7-13) 535-534 B.C Opposition to the Temple project by the neighboring Samaritans (Ezra 4:1-5) 534 B.C Work on the Temple ceases5 (Ezra 4:24).6 536-520 B.C: Israel’s ruler is governor Zerubbabel, who represents the king of Persia Joshua the high priest is their religious leader 520 B.C Haggai and Zechariah “prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel” (Ezra 5:1; cf Hag 1:1) Temple project is resumed (Ezra 5:2; Hag 1:1415) For how many years had the people neglected the work? 516 B.C Temple project is finished (Ezra 6:14-15) Chart 114 shows the ever changing spiritual state of Israel during Old Testament times, and how Haggai’s and Zechariah’s ministries related to this The importance of the Temple We may rightly ask why the Temple building was so crucial in the life of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem Gleason Archer suggests two basic reasons It should be remembered that much of the Mosaic constitution presupposed the carrying on of worship in such a sanctuary, and the failure to complete a suitable house of worship could lead to a paralyzing of the religious life of the Jewish community It should also be understood that the second temple was to play a very important role in the history of redemption, for it was in this temple (as remodeled and beauti ed by Herod the Great) that the Lord Jesus Christ was to carry on His Jerusalem ministry It was, of course, His advent that ful lled the promise of Haggai 2:9, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.”7 The Temple building itself, as a symbol, was intended to remind the Israelites that God was a real Person, alive, dwelling in Zion (Joel 3:21), and wanting to enjoy fellowship with man as well as be worshiped by him Exodus 25:8, referring to the original tabernacle, gives clear insight into this fellowship aspect: “And let them construct a sanctuary [miqdash, “a place set apart”] for Me, that I may dwell among them.” There was no higher spiritual experience for a Jew in Haggai’s time than by faith to let God as Lord dwell personally in his heart (Cf Acts 7:47-48; Isa 66:1-2.) In such an experience the Temple symbol bore its choicest and eternal fruit Theme of the book The divine message which Haggai passed on to his Jewish brethren could be summarized thus: “If you want to be restored to a blessed relationship with the Lord, put rst things rst in your ... shows the ever changing spiritual state of Israel during Old Testament times, and how Haggai’s and Zechariah’s ministries related to this The importance of the Temple We may rightly ask why the. .. that ful lled the promise of Haggai 2:9, ? ?The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.”7 The Temple building itself, as a symbol, was intended to remind the Israelites... a sanctuary, and the failure to complete a suitable house of worship could lead to a paralyzing of the religious life of the Jewish community It should also be understood that the second temple