Haggai

1:15b-2:9

2. The Glory to come, 1:15b-2:9

The past, the present and the future

In the passage before us, Haggai seeks to encourage those who see the second temple as "like nothing" in comparison with Solomon's temple. Yet, their small beginnings herald something far "greater than the glory of the former house."

In 538 BC., a year after the capture of Babylon, Cyrus the Persian issued a decree that all captured people may return to their homelands. Zerubbabel, the grandson of the Davidic king, Jehoiachin, led some 40,000 Jews back to Judea, serving as the governor of Judea (Babylon beyond the river) until around 510 BC. Although the temple precinct was cleared and foundations laid, building work was halted due to Syrian opposition. Order was brought back to the empire with the ascension of Darius in 522 BC. The prophet Haggai in 520 BC then proclaimed four divine messages calling on the postexilic Jewish community to stop enlarging and beautifying their own homes and to recommence the rebuilding of the Lord's House. The second prophecy, our passage for study, seeks to encourage those who see the second temple as "like nothing" in comparison with Solomon's temple. Yet, their small beginnings herald something far "greater than the glory of the former house."

Note the prophetic perspective evident in Haggai's words. He is talking about the now, of the restored temple, but he sees another house in the future which transcends the present one.

"through" - Possibly "to".

"be strong" - fearless. Emotional strength, rather than physical strength, is being called for.

"people of the land" - This term emphasizes the insignificant nature of the people rather than their being a "remnant" people. The term is used of uncultured rural people, even "slaves", in New Testament times.

"[in light of] the word I covenanted with you when you came from Egypt ......" - Merrill suggests an ellipsis exists in the Hebrew. Meyer's suggests "Do the word which I covenanted with you .....", taking "word" as the direct object of "do" ("work" NIV), v4.

"my Spirit" - breath, wind. Referring to the divine presence.

"in a little while" - The phrase is often regarded as erroneous, following the lead of the LXX. With typical prophetic perspective, Haggai sees the fulfilment of his prophecy as close at hand.

"shake" - A consequence of the divine presence in a human environment.

"all nations" - This universal recognition of divine sovereignty is also referred to in Zechariah, cf. 8:22-23.

"will come" - will come with [their] riches. The bearing of tribute is very much part of Paul's thinking in organizing his collection for the saints in Jerusalem. Gentiles bearing gifts to God's people Israel, was for Paul a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy, a further evidence that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

"glory" - It is possible that the "glory" refers to the outward beauty of the temple, adorned with silver and gold. Yet, it is more likely that the image is of the shechinah glory, the radiant presence of the Lord, or even the radiant presence of the coming messiah.

"place - holy place.

Haggai Introduction

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