There are five books dealing with the returned remnants to Jerusalem and Judea. Two are mainly historical, namely, Nehemiah and Ezra; the former treating of the civil condition of things, while the latter is occupied with the ecclesiastical state of the people. The three closing books of the Old Testament, sometimes termed "Prophets of the Restoration," prophesied in midst of these returned Jews, but in view of their utter and complete failure and ruin, uttering predictions not of judgment only, but, blessed be God! rich also in anticipations of that blessed future awaiting Israel and the earth, when after every testimony committed to man, and every steward and witness for God has proved a signal failure; when after a full and lengthened trial of the "first man," the kingdom and glory will be established in power in the hands of the "Second man." These times of blessing are nigh at hand.
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1) were commissioned to encourage the people to recommence the building of the temple, which had been interrupted for a number of years by the assiduous efforts of the Samaritans, who succeeded in getting a decree from the Persian King—Artaxerxes, forbidding the work (Ezra 4). Our prophet, therefore, abounds in reproofs, warnings and encouragements. Under the faithful and energetic ministry of these two prophets, the work of the temple which had been interrupted for about 14 years, was quickly resumed and finished. During that long interval, the people displayed a remarkable zeal for their own interests, planting, house-building, and the like, but were utterly regardless of Jehovah's things indolently and carelessly saying:-"The time is not come that the Lord's house should be built." The energetic remonstrances of the prophets named, Haggai especially, prevailed, and the people commenced building before Darius reversed the decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 4), and granting another confirming the commandment of Cyrus, given 21 years before, and which had been so much in the people's favor (Ezra 6); this is to be noted as showing that Jehovah was working for and His blessing resting upon the people; His presence too was with them (Hag. 1:13). Thus the unalterable laws of the Medes and Persians, which bound even the monarchs themselves to obedience (Dan. 6:15), are changed according to the Divine pleasure. "The glory of this latter house," Hag. 2:9, reads "the latter glory of this house." Paul beautifully and powerfully comments on Hag. 2:6, 7, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, Heb. 12:25-29.
The book contains four messages, in each case termed "The word of the Lord." These charges from Jehovah to the people were all delivered in the second year of Darius, and within the brief period of four months.
The five post-captivity books may be thus briefly regarded:-
BOOKS OF THE JEWISH RESTORATION.
1. Ezra, who unfolds the ecclesiastical state of things.
2. Nehemiah, who depicts the civil condition.
3. Haggai, the prophet of encouragement.
4. Zechariah, the prophet of the future.
5. Malachi, the prophet of the people's moral condition.
" Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider your ways." May writer and reader lay the exhortation to heart.
GENERAL DIVISIONS.
1.-Sharp and solemn reproof as to the people's indifference to the Lord's interests; the gracious effect produced. Hag. 1, or message one.
2.-Exceedingly cheering and encouraging, and withal, beautifully prophetic of latter-day glory connected with the Temple. Hag. 2:1-9, or message two.
3.-A solemn call to the people to consider their ways. Hag. 2 10-19, or message three.
4.-Jehovah will overturn and destroy the kingdoms and might of the earth, but will also remember His chosen. Hag. 2:20-23, or message four.