Ezra 5:1-2, "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them."

For seventy years Judah had been in captivity in the land of Babylon, now, the Medo-Persian Empire was in control. Under the authority of Cyrus, the king of Persia, a proclamation was made, "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has charged me to build His house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah," (Ezra 1). However, the enemies of Judah came against the workers in accusation and petitioned Artaxerxes to stop the building.

For approximately sixteen years the rebuilding of the temple had ceased until the word of the Lord came to His prophet Haggai, "Consider your ways," (consider in your heart; think of what you are doing).

Haggai 1:8, "Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD."

The prophet Haggai was the Lord's messenger. The message that he brought stirred the hearts of the people, "I am with you, saith the LORD."

Through the words of Haggai we see a message of hope and of peace. A message that reveals God as Adonai, LORD and Master, Jehovah Sabbaoth, Lord of hosts, and Jehovah Shammah, God is there.

The book of Haggai reveals God as the King of kings and Lord of lords. God truly is there ready to defend for He is the ruler of the whole earth.