Chagai - It's Time to Build
It is in this setting, on Rosh Chodesh Elul during the second year of Darius, that Sefer Chagai opens:

"In the second year of King Darius ... the word of the Lord came through the prophet Chagai to Zerubavel ben She'altiel, the governor of Judah, and to Yehoshua ben Yehozadak, the high priest. Thus said the Lord of Hosts: 'These people say, "The time has not yet come for the rebuilding of the House of the Lord."' And the word of the Lord continued: 'Is it the time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while this House is lying in ruins?' " (Chagai 1:1-4)

As the redemption process had not yet materialized, the people lacked the necessary enthusiasm to pursue the construction of the Mikdash. After all, the first Bet Ha-mikdash had been built only after a monarchy had been firmly established and Israel had reached economic prosperity (see Shmuel II 7:12-13, Melachim I 5:5, 5:16-19). Due to the lack of sovereignty and prosperity during these early years of "shivat Tzion," a general feeling of apathy prevailed (see Chagai 1:2, 2:3, and Zecharya 4:10).

It is exactly this attitude that Chagai counters. Chagai calls for a national soul searching and a united effort to rebuild the Mikdash. Furthermore, Chagai promises that by building the Temple, economic prosperity and political sovereignty will return (see 1:8-9, 2:7, 2:15-19). Chagai's challenge is quite straightforward: first build the Mikdash, an act directing the nation's devotion to God, and then Am Yisrael will be worthy of attaining their sovereignty and economic prosperity.

The people accept Chagai's challenge and prepare the materials for rebuilding the Temple (see chapter 1). Then, on the 24th of Kislev, the day before construction was to begin, Chagai delivers his concluding message. In the two prophecies given on this momentous day, Chagai emphasizes the same central points he had made earlier: as the Mikdash is being rebuilt, economic prosperity (see 2:15-19, cited above) and political sovereignty shall return:

"And the word came to Chagai a second time on the 24th day of the month. 'Speak to Zerubavel the governor of Judah: I am going to shake heaven and earth. And I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the might of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their drivers, horses and their riders shall fall...' " (2:21-23)

Unfortunately, during that time period (even though the Temple was built) this vision was never fulfilled. [In our study of the prophecies of Chagai's contemporary, Zecharya, we will explain why.] Nonetheless, it would be safe to assume that these closing words of Chagai were echoing in the ears of the Hasmoneans some two hundred years later, as they triumphed over the great Greek armies, thus returning sovereignty to Israel. [See Rashi on Chagai 2:5-7!]

Now, to understand what went wrong during Chagai's time period (and how it relates to Chanuka), we must undertake a quick study of Sefer Zecharya.