The Pathway to Obedience

This was not a matter of neglecting a building ; it was a matter of neglecting God. If we obey it is because of what God has done in us. If we don't obey it is because we choose to operate against all God has done for us.
God has resolved to not bless disobedience and showed them the unfruitfullness of their own hands.
In mercy, God gives the remnant another opportunity to build the temple. This time, though, it will take a lot more effort on their part than if they were obedient in the first place.
Here we see that the leadership began to obey God and then the rest of the remnant. Ultimately the remnant were obedient to the voice of God that came by the prophet Haggai.
Because the world is watching obedience not only honors and glorifies God but it is a witness to the world.