A Persian king decrees that the way home is open to the exiles. Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest go with the first group, and the foundation for the Temple is laid so that the house of God may be rebuilt. At an assembly of celebration, there were shouts of praise, but also tears of sorrow among those who remembered what was lost. Enter the prophets Haggai and Zechariah who help keep the people focused on the rebuilding, and Haggai has a message particular who remember the glory days: God will again appear in the Temple. This connects us to the larger story of our salvation when God will indeed suddenly appear.
