Jan 06 2009
Haggai
Haggai
Babylon has fallen to Cyrus king of Persia. The first thing he did was this. He allowed the Jewish exiles to return home. Many took advantage and soon arrived in Jerusalem.
Zerubbabel was made govenor and Joshua the high priest. The rebuilding of Jerusalem began with the temple. So strong were the protests of the locals, all work ceased. This caused the Jews to lose all interest.
Some years later two prophets rose up. Haggai and Zechariah. When questioned by them the people said they stopped because of famine and opposition. This was not entirely true. When work finally resumed the Persian king supplied money and legal protection.
It appears the real problem was of a spiritual nature. When looked at closely it was revealed the real culprit was selfishness and just plain being lazy.
