1:12 Haggai's preaching moved Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of Israelites who had returned from captivity to obey the Lord. This demonstrated reverence for Him.
"Haggai referred to the people as a remnant(here and also in v. 14 and in 2:2), not merely because they were survivors of the Babylonian Exile but also because they were becoming what the remnant of God's people should always be--those who are obedient within their covenant relationship to the Lord (cf. Isa. 10:21)."18
1:13 The people's obedient response resulted in the Lord sending another message to Haggai, His messenger. He reported that Yahweh was with them (cf. 2:4). This assurance of His divine enablement guaranteed their success as they continued obeying by rebuilding the temple. It is God's presence with us more than anything else that guarantees our success as we carry out His will (cf. Josh. 1:1-9). Our loving obedience results in Him drawing close, but our disobedience leads Him to withdraw His presence.
1:14-15 The Lord stirred up the two leaders and the people to resume work on the temple (cf. Ezra 1:5). Work began again on the twenty-fourth day of that very month. Perhaps it took three weeks for the people to make their decision and make preparations, including cutting wood (cf. v. 8). There was also a harvest of figs, grapes, and pomegranates in the month of Elul, which may also have delayed them.19
