Sometimes it is not evident to us what is going on. Especially if we are thrown into suffering for a period of time or if it seems our enemies are prospering while we are just barely getting by. This book however, affirms that God is God. We just need to be still and know He is at work. He is who He says He is and does keep His promises. He will punish the wicked. Even when we cannot see it, He is at work.  Sometimes the way we have to go to get us there is through suffering and sorrow but if we rest in Him and trust Him we come out where He wants us.

Zephaniah was contemporary with Jeremiah. He prophesied during King Josiah's reign, who was responsible for a great religious reformation. This followed the wicked reigns of Kings Manasseh and Amon, who led the nation into various forms of idolatry.  Zephaniah pronounces inescapable judgments against Jerusalem for their sins, and exhorts national repentance.  He continues by speaking of the "day of the LORD", when God will intervene to judge sin.

Zechariah was a younger contemporary of Haggai. He also encouraged the people to rebuild the Temple. Like Daniel and Revelation, this book contains visions of future events. It contains detailed references to the coming Messiah. The book concludes with descriptions of the enemies of Jerusalem being judged and of the future glory of God's Kingdom.

Malachi's message comes to the people in a time of great spiritual decline. It is approximately eighty years after the rebuilding of the Temple, and the promises of the coming Messiah have not yet happened. As a result, the people had become lax and had an increasingly casual attitude toward God and worship. Malachi states that their sacrifices were unacceptable to God, husbands were unfaithful, and the priests had neglected God's covenants.