It consists of four messages from Jehovah to Jews that had returned from Babylonian exile, urging them to finish rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.

Four messages designed to motivate the Jews to move ahead with the rebuilding of Jehovah’s temple

Written in Jerusalem 17 years after the Jews returned from exile, when temple building had not yet been completed

Message to people living in paneled houses, while Jehovah’s house lies in ruins (1:1-15)

To those feeling that it is not the time for rebuilding the temple Jehovah makes clear that neglect of this work has led to the withdrawal of his blessing, so that harvests are poor and hired laborers receive meager wages

Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the rest of the people respond favorably; they are promised that Jehovah will be with them in the temple rebuilding work; temple work starts

Proclamation that Jehovah will fill his house with glory (2:1-9)

In the view of aged ones who had seen the glory of Solomon’s temple, the new structure seems like nothing

Jehovah urges Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the rest of the people to be strong, not disheartened, to continue with the work, assuring them that the glory of the rebuilt temple will surpass that of the former one

People are shown that neglect of temple rebuilding has made them and all their work unclean before God (2:10-19)

Priests answer questions indicating that holiness cannot be transferred but uncleanness can

Jehovah encourages the people by informing that from the day the temple foundation is laid Jehovah will bestow his blessing, ending the poor harvests