Jacqui: 0:12

Greetings listeners. Have you ever opened your Bible, landed in a book like Haggai or Malachi and thought wait, what's happening here? The names sound familiar, the verses even feel powerful, but without knowing the bigger story they can seem out of place. That's where many of us get stuck reading without context. Today we're pausing to set the stage for the final three prophets of the Old Testament Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, because once you know when they spoke, why they were sent and the conditions of their society, their messages come alive with surprising relevance for our own seasons of waiting, discouragement and spiritual drift. Well, welcome everyone. I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where, weekly, we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable, bite-sized chunks. Understandable, bite-sized chunks. Before we get into the post-exile period, let's zoom out and remember where we are in the bigger story of the Bible. Back in the books of Exodus, leviticus and Deuteronomy, god gave his people clear instructions for how to live in the land he was giving them, and along with those instructions came a serious warning Quote if you turn away from me, if you worship other gods, ignore justice or oppress the vulnerable, I will remove you from the land. That's in Deuteronomy 28: 36- 37, 63, and 64, and Leviticus, chapter 26, verse 33. These weren't empty threats. They were covenant consequences, and God repeated those warnings through the prophets for generations, prophets for generations. One of those prophets, Jeremiah, put it like this in Jeremiah, chapter 25, verses 5 and 6. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors forever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them. Do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made, Then I will not harm you. Unquote. But the people didn't listen. So, just as God had said, judgment came. Jerusalem was conquered, the temple was destroyed and the people were taken into exile in Babylon. Even then, god didn't stop speaking Through prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel. He gave both warning and hope, promising that one day he would bring his people home. That day finally came.

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In 539 BC, the Persian Empire conquered Babylon. The Persian Empire conquered Babylon. Then, in 538 BC, god moved through King Cyrus of Persia. He issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland. We see this in 2nd Chronicles, verses 22 and 23,. Ezra, chapter 1, verses 1 through 4, and Isaiah, chapter 44, verses 28, to chapter 45, verse 1. But this return didn't happen all at once. It happened in waves over several decades. Waves over several decades. Let's look at each of the three waves.

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The first return was 538 BC. Led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Joshua, the high priest, about 50,000 exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. We see that in Ezra, chapter 2, verses 1 and 2. They started strong. The altar was built, sacrifices resumed and the temple foundation was laid with great emotion. We see that in Ezra 3. But the work soon stalled due to opposition and discouragement. That's Ezra, chapter 4, verses 1 through 5, and Haggai, chapter 1, verse 2 through 4.

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Now, almost 80 years later, ezra led a second group back. This was about 458 BC. As a priest and scribe, he came not to build structures but to rebuild hearts, calling the people to obey God's law and renew their covenant with him. We see that in Ezra, chapter 7, verses 6 through 10. The third return was about 445 BC, led by Nehemiah, who served as a royal cupbearer in Persia. He heard of Jerusalem's broken down walls and led a third return to restore and fortify the city. That's in Nehemiah, chapters 1 and 2. Nehemiah, chapters 1 and 2. With prayerful determination and strategic leadership, he rallied the people to rebuild the walls in just 52 days. That's in Nehemiah, chapter 6, verses 15 to 16.

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Now here's a side note about Esther. Not all Jews returned to Jerusalem. Many remained scattered across the Persian Empire. The story of Esther takes place during this time in the Persian capital of Susa and shows how God protected his people even far from the land. While prophets and leaders were rebuilding in Jerusalem, god was still at work behind the scenes, preserving his people everywhere. So who were the prophets during this rebuilding season?

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Haggai was the first to speak In 520 BC, when the people had stalled in rebuilding the temple. He called them out in Haggai, chapter 1, verse 4. Quote Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paddled houses while this house, meaning God's temple, remains a ruin? Unquote His message. Rebuild God's house, refocus your priorities. Then there was Zechariah. He prophesied alongside Haggai, but his words zoomed out further. He spoke of spiritual renewal and future glory, urging people not to give up. In the book of Zechariah, chapter 4, verse 6, quote not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Unquote His message. Don't give up. God's plan is bigger than you can imagine Now. Malachi came later.

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By then the temple was rebuilt, but worship had grown routine and the people were growing careless. God's love was still reaching for them. We hear in Malachi, chapter 3, verse 7, quote. Chapter 3, verse 7, quote return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty. Unquote His message. Return to God, give him your whole heart. Now, these three prophets. They spoke into a critical moment when the temple finally stood again. But the people were still struggling to live in faithful relationship with God. And their words, well, they still echo in our lives today.

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Now, why this matters? You might be wondering why we took the time to discuss the post-exile period. Well, here at Bible Basics, we believe that understanding the Bible means more than studying individual verses or favorite stories. It means walking through time and observing the interactions between God and his people. It means seeing the big picture. Each book of the Bible fits into God's larger story and when we understand where a particular chapter, person or prophecy lands in that story, it opens our eyes to what God is really doing and saying. That's why episodes like this matter, when we recognize that Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi weren't just scattered voices, but the messengers in a specific moment, after the exile, during the rebuilding. It deepens our understanding of their message.

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These prophets weren't writing in isolation. They were responding to real challenges, real discouragement and real spiritual drift. And if we want to read these books with wisdom and faith today, we need to read them in their context. So here's one way you can engage right now Take a moment to flip ahead in your Bible and mark the start of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi In the margins or on a sticky note jot down post-exile, after the return, during rebuilding. It's a simple step, but it helps you read with the big picture in mind Every time you come to those books in mind. Every time you come to those books, you'll have some idea about the context.

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So where are we now in the story? God's people have returned to their land, but the real rebuilding has just begun. The temple's only partially finished. The people are tired, their faith is flickering and in that space, god doesn't stay silent. He sends prophets not to give new laws, but to remind them of who they are and who God is. That's what we'll explore over the next three episodes as we walk through the books of Haggai. As we walk through the books of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, We'll hear their challenges, uncover their hope and see how God's messages through them still meet us right where we are today. So if you've ever felt stuck in a slow season or like your faith needs rebuilding, don't miss what's coming next and don't forget to follow us on your favorite podcast app so you won't miss what's coming next. Until then, keep reading, keep seeking and keep growing in your faith.