The use of “these people” shows Yahweh’s displeasure with his covenant people (cf. Isa. 7:16; 8:11).8 They claim that the time has not come to rebuild the temple. The reason behind this lack of action may lie on the theological level, with the people waiting for the appearance of a messianic figure in order to begin the project9 or for the completion of the seventy years prophesied by Jeremiah.10 Or perhaps the reason is a lack of commitment to the rebuilding project because of their Persian overlords