And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
The Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers. So Haggai is called. So is the priest (Malachi 2:7), and the Baptist (Malachi 3:1; Luke 7:27). The word is used here as synonymous with "prophets."