Since the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, the Jews in exile had been observing a series of fasts in memory of all that had happened to them.
Minor Prophets: Haggai, Sukkot
A month into the work, but the people's spirits were flagging, and they needed a word from the Lord to lift them up. Thankfully, soon it would be Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, and Haggai knew God had something to give them that would bring them great joy.