Israel had been destroyed, and Judah devastated and sent into captivity in Babylon. Seventy years have passed, and God had already sent Ezra and many of God’s people back to Jerusalem and they eagerly began to rebuild the temple. But treachery by the Samaritans cause the work to stop, and the Jews became discouraged. Then God raised up Haggai to preach and prophecy to the people, encouraging them to get back to work.