More Than “Minor”: The Enduring Power of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

By Tony Huang and Nancy He

Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: Hebrew Prophets of the Sixth and Fifth Centuries, by Jack R. Lundbom (Cascade Books, 2025)

If you ever wished for a clear path through a dense and complex historical period, Jack Lundbom’s book, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi—Hebrew Prophets of the Sixth and Fifth Centuries, offers precisely that. As part of the academically rigorous yet accessible Cascade Companion series, this work acts as a master key to a pivotal, often-overlooked era. It immerses readers into the world of ancient Israel shortly after the Babylonian exile—a time when a shattered nation, fraught with despair, faced the daunting task of rebuilding not just its temple, but its very identity.

To truly grasp the power of these prophetic voices, one must first understand the trauma, the triumph, and the small things that shaped their world. Lundbom vividly portrays rock-bottom despair — the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, the heart-wrenching trauma of multiple deportations, and the apparent end of nationhood. Yet, this bleak history gives way to a glimmer of hope with Cyrus the Great’s edict, which allowed a trickle of exiles to return home. But this was no triumphant march; it was a “day of small things”—a painstaking, arduous journey back to a city that lay in ruins. Into this daunting landscape stepped Haggai and Zechariah in 520 BCE, charged with mission to inspire a people struggling to find their way.

Though often dismissed as “minor prophets” due to their shorter texts, their impact was anything but minor. According to the Talmud, the departure of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi marked the exit of divine prophecy from Israel—a testament to their profound significance. Lundbom explores how these men were not mere social commentators but individuals profoundly aware of their divine calling, prophets who saw themselves as Yahweh’s urgent messengers.

The narrative unfolds through three powerful prophetic figures. First, Haggai, the impatient architect, delivers a fierce rebuke over just three and a half months, challenging his contemporaries: “Is it time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” His message starkly ties the people’s hardships to their neglect of God’s house, yet offers reassurance in the divine promise, “I am with you,” inspiring hope amid struggle.

Then comes Zechariah, the visionary, whose symbolic and often mysterious visions bring a different texture to the prophetic message—horses silently patrolling the earth, a giant flying scroll bringing curses, and above all, the timeless declaration, “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.” His prophecy of a humble king riding a donkey resonates deeply across cultures and time, while his depiction of a gathering of nations seeking God’s presence unfolds a remarkably inclusive vision of faith.

Finally, Malachi, the confrontational witness, writing slightly later, addresses a dispirited and skeptical community through a series of sharp disputes. He condemns corrupt priests, sharply denounces divorce, and urges faithfulness with his memorable challenge on tithing: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

What truly elevates this book is its seamless connection from ancient prophecy to the struggles of the human condition today. These prophets wrestled with timeless themes—hope amid despair, social justice, the bonds of community, and the nature of unwavering faith. Lundbom illustrates how their messages not only molded Judaism but also laid foundational threads for traditions that echo into the New Testament. Above all, the book reveals that even amid a “day of small things,” a hopeful path endures—one where God’s power and faithfulness remain steadfast.

This volume is a compelling read for anyone seeking not only to understand a crucial epoch in history but also to reflect on the enduring power of faith and the universal human struggle to focus on what truly matters.

Tony Huang

Tony Huang, PhD, is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Hong Kong Review. He is also the founder of Metacircle Fellowship, Metacircle (Hong Kong) Culture and Education Co., Ltd. and Metaeducation. He works as a guest-editor for SmokeLong Quarterly. His poems and translations have appeared in Mad Swirl, The Hong Kong Review, The Best Small Fictions Anthology Selections 2020, Tianjin Daily, Binhai Times, SmokeLong Quarterly, Nankai Journal, Large Ocean Poetry Quarterly, Yangcheng Evening News and other places.

Nancy He

Nancy He, PhD, is Managing Editor of The Hong Kong Review. A scholar of comparative and world literature, she also specializes in biblical literature and translation studies.

Copy editor: Nancy He

Intern copy editor: Scarlet Li