Haggai served as a prophet during the time when the exiles were returning from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. The people quickly got distracted from the task, and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah called them to return to it.
In Haggai 1, the LORD declared through Haggai the people must rebuild the Temple. Illustrations of cause and effect were offered, because the people lived in “paneled houses” while the LORD’s house remained in ruins. The illustrations were in every area of life the people’s return on their work or investment was little. That was because the LORD was not blessing their work. He would bless them, when they remembered Him and His house. With this reminder, the people returned to the work of rebuilding the Temple.
In Haggai 2, the LORD promises His glory will return to the Temple. Although the rebuilt structure was smaller than the original, and any who could remember the original would weep, the LORD promised in the latter days the Temple would be greater than the first. The people had continued not to see the return on their efforts they expected, but the LORD promised when the Temple was completed, they would, that He would bless them even though they were an “unclean” people. The book ends with the LORD promising Zerubbabel, the governor, that his prominence would surpass that of kings.
As we return to John 7, the fighting over Jesus continues. This time it takes place in Jerusalem. Jesus went to the city for the Festival of Booths, and while He was there the people were divided over whether He was the Messiah or not. Jesus continued to confront the religious leaders, even as they said they were committed to eliminating Him. These confrontations, which have already seemed heated will continue to the point Jesus ends up condemned and crucified. While such a reality devastates us all: That we would crucify the God of the universe, that was His plan of redemption for us. It is the truest example that in allthings God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.