The message of counsel and reproof given through Haggai was taken to heart by the leaders and people of Israel. They felt that God was in earnest with them. They dared not disregard the repeated instruction sent them--that their prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, was dependent on faithful obedience to God's commands. Aroused by the warnings of the prophet, Zerubbabel and Joshua, "with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet." Verse 12.

Både lederne og de menige israelitter tog Haggajs råd og irettesættelse til indtægt. De følte, at Gud mente det alvorligt. De vovede ikke at se bort fra det, som blev indskærpet dem gang på gang: at deres timelige og åndelige vel afhang af deres lydighed mod Guds bud. Profetens advarsler gjorde deres virkning, og Zerubbabel og Josua "og hele resten af folket adlød Herren deres Guds røst og profeten Haggajs ord". 12. vers.