In Ezra 5 we read that the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah came to the leaders in Jerusalem and told them to begin rebuilding the temple, even though they had been ordered by Artaxerxes to stop.  They listened to the prophets and began again to rebuild and were given all they needed when king Darius was consulted.   I wanted to look at Haggai's prophecies recorded in the 2 chapters included in the Old Testament .  There were actually several different prophetic words given through Haggai.

Haggai 1 - "In the second year of Darius the king, on the first day of the sixth month.."  Haggai comes to Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest.   "This people says 'The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt'".. but God says, "Consider your ways!"  All their work was in vain, they were planting but not harvesting, they didn't have enough food, wine, or clothing... "and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes."  The problem, the Lord tells them, is that He is not going to bless them when they are allowing His house to be neglected. They weren't honoring Him or worshiping because of their fears...  Yet when Haggai spoke the word of the Lord, the leaders listened and obeyed.  The work on the house of the Lord started up again.

On the "twenty-first day of the seventh month of king Darius" so, a month and 1/2 later,  Haggai came again, this time to encourage them.   We are told in Ezra 3:12 that when some of the older priests, Levites, and old men, saw new the foundation of the temple relaid, that they wept, because they remembered its former glory.... Here the Lord tells them to take courage, even though this is "nothing in comparison" as far as the outward beauty - "I am with you, says the Lord of hosts.... My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!"
God promises to shake the nations and to fill His house with glory.  "The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine. declares the Lord of hosts."   There is a greater glory coming!

Two months later, Haggai comes again with a word from the Lord.  This message begins with a question - if a man carries a holy sacrifice in his garment, his pocket, so to speak, and then puts in bread or something else, will that also become holy?  The priests answer "No".   If  a man touches a corpse and becomes unclean and then touches the bread or other things, will they become unclean. The priest's answer this time is yes.  "So is this people. And so is this nation before Me, declares the Lord, and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean." 

Up to this point, the people were trying to become holy from what they offered to God, but they were actually unclean and making their offerings unclean because of their lack of worship and obedience.  "Do consider from this day of the ninth month; from the day when the temple of the Lord was founded... yet from this day on I will bless you."  Because of their obedience to God's Word, God was making a promise of blessing for His people.
On that same day, Haggai had another word, this time for Zerubbabel.   God was going to "shake the heavens and the earth."  He would overthrow all thrones and kingdoms, destroy all powers, overthrow all armies, and "On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant.. and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you...."  The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests that this prophecy establishes Zerubbabel in David's line and therefore in the line of the Messiah, Jesus.

The people in Ezra's days lived in very difficult times.  They had to be courageous just to obey the Word of the Lord.  Yet, disobedience led to judgement.  We also, must choose to obey God and live by His Word, even when challenged by our culture or government.  Without obedience, complete commitment to following the Word of God, we cannot experience God's blessings.  In disobedience we will suffer God's judgement.   The day is coming when the heavens and the earth will be shaken! God will overthrow all nations and power and thrones.  Hallelujah!  We must be like Zerubbabel - obedient,  wholly belonging to God.

Father, take us by the hand and lead us into Your love and into the endurance and patience of Christ Jesus as we with for that great day!  Amen.