Haggai Chapter 2

From The Open Bible Project

2:1 In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

2:2 "Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

2:3 'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn't it in your eyes as nothing?

• (a) For the people according as had been prophesied in (Isaiah 2:2) and (Ezekiel 41:1-26), thought this temple should have been more excellent than Solomon’s temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians, but the Prophets meant the spiritual Temple, the Church of Christ.

2:4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says Yahweh. 'Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' says Yahweh, 'and work, for I am with you,' says Yahweh of Armies.

• (b) That is, go forward in building the temple.

2:5 This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. 'Don't be afraid.'

2:6 For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: 'Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;

• (c) He exhorts them to patience though they do not see as yet this temple so glorious as the Prophets had declared: for this should be accomplished in Christ, by whom all things should be renewed.

2:7 and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Armies.

• (d) Meaning Christ, whom all ought to look for and desire: or by desire he may signify all precious things, such as riches, and things like them.

2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says Yahweh of Armies.

• (e) Therefore when his time comes he can make all the treasures of the world to serve his purpose: but the glory of this second Temple does not consist of material things, neither can it be built.

2:9 'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of Armies; 'and in this place will I give peace,' says Yahweh of Armies."

• (f) Meaning all spiritual blessings and felicity purchased by Christ; (Philippians 4:7).

2:10 In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

2:11 "Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

2:12 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'" The priests answered, "No."

• (g) That is, the flesh of the sacrifices, by which he means that a thing which of itself is good, cannot make another thing so: and therefore they ought not to justify themselves by their sacrifices and ceremonies: but contrary to this, he that is unclean and not pure of heart, does corrupt those things and make them detestable to God, which otherwise are good and godly.

2:13 Then Haggai said, "If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be unclean?" The priests answered, "It will be unclean."

2:14 Then Haggai answered, "'So is this people, and so is this nation before me,' says Yahweh; 'and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.

2:15 Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in the temple of Yahweh.

• (h) Consider how God plagued you with famine before you began to build the temple.

2:16 Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty.

• (i) That is, before the building was begun.

2:17 I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you didn't turn to me,' says Yahweh.

2:18 'Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of Yahweh's temple was laid, consider it.

• (k) From the time they began to build the temple, he promises that God would bless them: and even though the fruit has not yet come forth, yet in the gathering they would have plenty.

2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't brought forth. From this day will I bless you.'"

• (l) He exhorts them to have patience, and to remain until the harvest came, and then they would see God’s blessings.

2:20 The Word of Yahweh came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

2:21 "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, 'I will shake the heavens and the earth.

• (m) I will make a change, and renew all things in Christ, of whom Zerubbabel is here a figure.

2:22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.

• (n) By this he shows that there will be no stop or hindrance, when God will make this wonderful restitution of his Church.

2:23 In that day, says Yahweh of Armies, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says Yahweh, 'and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,' says Yahweh of Armies."

• (o) Signifying that his dignity would be most excellent, which thing was accomplished in Christ.