Definition: Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Haggai 1:12. It’s a really important passage about rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: A Mess is Happening: The verse comes after a period of silence and a mess had been happening – the Israelites were scattered, and the Temple was neglected. God wanted to bring people back together and rebuild something truly holy. Zerubbabel Steps In: Someone named Zerubbabel, who was a respected priest, is given a task: to lead the rebuilding effort. He's chosen because he’s good at organizing and coordinating things. Haggai the Prophet is Called: Haggai, a prophet (someone who speaks for God), is appointed to guide this process. He’s essentially a leader of the rebuilding. God Sends Him: The Bible says God directly sent Haggai to lead the rebuilding. This shows that God is actively involved and wants the task to be completed. The People Fear God: Crucially, it's not just Zerubbabel or Haggai who are obeying. The people of Israel – all of them – are feeling fear before God. This isn’t a casual moment; it’s a deep sense that something significant is happening and that they need to respect the divine presence. Putting It All Together - What's Happening? Basically, Zerubbabel and Haggai are leading the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. They’re doing it because God wants it to happen, and because He wants people to feel a sense of reverence and trust in Him. The fear they experience is a reminder that they're dealing with something truly powerful – a divine presence. Why is this important? This verse highlights several things: God’s Active Role: It shows that God isn’t just watching from afar; He's directly involved in the process of restoration and bringing people back to Himself. Responsibility: Zerubbabel and Haggai are responsible for leading and guiding this effort, emphasizing their importance. Faith and Obedience: It emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s commands, even when it feels difficult or uncertain. In short, it's a moment of hope and faith as the Israelites begin to rebuild something incredibly sacred – the Temple. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you a quick summary of what Haggai was doing? Compare this passage to other stories about rebuilding in the Bible?