Zechariah - The city is in ruins. The royal family has been reduced to governor status. The temple is under construction. The prophet is bringing a word of encouragement to the people. But he does not gloss over sin in order to bring a false encouragement.

Malachi - They’d obeyed the messages of God from the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. They’d rebuilt the temple of God. And nothing happened. No Messiah, no great divine war against Israel’s enemies, no worldwide kingdom of God—none of the good things those prophets said would come about. So the people grow indifferent.

Zephaniah - God removes everything, God restores everything. God sends the prophet Zephaniah with a sobering message for Judah: God is about to bring everything to an end (Zep 2:2). The day of the Lord is coming.

Haggai - After spending 70 years as captives in Babylon, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The Jews built their own houses, worked their fields, and let the Temple lie in shambles. Because the people have ignored God’s temple, God has withheld rain, food, and prosperity. The solution? Get back to work on the temple!