Blessings for a Defiled People. Haggai 2:10-23
INTRODUCTION TO HAGGAI
Haggai returned from exile in Babylon, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, in the year 536 B.C., when Cyrus, moved by the striking prophecies about himself, which had probably been brought under his notice by Daniel, granted the Jews their liberty, and provided them with materials for restoring their Temple. This work of rebuilding went on under Cyrus and his successor, in spite of the opposition of the Samaritans; but, finally, these inveterate foes of the returned exiles obtained an edict from Artaxerxes to stay the progress of the rebuilding of the Temple, Ezr_4:7-23. The Jews gave up the work, and began to build splendid mansions for themselves, so that the operations on the Temple site were not recommenced, even when there was opportunity for them. For fourteen years the work was discontinued, until Haggai uttered his burning message. He seems to have been an old man when summoned to the prophet’s office, and his term of service lasted for only four months. But when a man speaks in the power of God, you cannot measure the effect by chronology. His brief ministry had immediate effect, for within three weeks the people were once more at work.
The Rebuilding of the Temple
III. REBUKE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, Hag_2:10-19
1. Why God’s Favor Has Been Denied, Hag_2:10-17
2. How It May Be Restored, Hag_2:18-19
IV. THE TIMES OR THE END, Hag_2:20-23
1. The Overthrow of the Nations, Hag_2:20-22
2. The Establishment of the House of David, Hag_2:23
BLESSINGS FOR A DEFILED PEOPLE
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (Dec 18, 520 B.C.), in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying,
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Ask the priests for a ruling:
‘If a man carries meat that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God] in the fold of his garment, and he touches bread, or cooked food, or wine, or oil, or any [kind of] food with this fold, does what he touches become holy [dedicated exclusively to God’s service]?'” And the priests answered, “No!” [Holiness is not transferrable.]
Then Haggai said, “If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because of [contact with] a corpse touches any of these [articles of food], will it be unclean?” And the priests answered, “It will be unclean.” [Ceremonial uncleanness, like sin, is infectious.]
Then Haggai answered, ” ‘So is this people. And so is this nation before Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there [on the altar] is unclean [because they who offer it are unclean].
But now, do consider [what will happen] from this day forward: before one stone was placed on another in the temple of the LORD,
from that time when one came to a grain heap expecting twenty measures, there would be only ten; and when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty measures, there would be only twenty.
I struck you and the work of your hands with scorching wind, mildew, and hail; yet you did not come back to Me,’ declares the LORD.
‘Do consider from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month; from the day when the temple of the LORD was founded, consider:
Is the seed still in the barn? As to the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree–they have not produced. Yet from this day on I will bless you [in the harvest of your crops].'”
ZERUBBABEL CHOSEN AS A SIGNET
And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month (Dec 18, 520 B.C.), saying,
“Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. [Hag_2:6; Mat_1:12-13]
I will [in the distant future] overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the [ungodly] nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them, and the horses and their riders will go down, every one by the sword of his brother [annihilating one another]. [Dan_2:34-35, Dan_2:44-45; Rev_19:11-21]
‘On that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you [through the Messiah, your descendant] like a signet ring, for I have chosen you [as the one with whom to renew My covenant to David’s line],'” declares the LORD of hosts. [2Sa_7:12, 2Sa_7:16]
GOD’S JUDGMENT UPON THE NATIONS
Two months after the foregoing prophecy, the prophet again remonstrated with the people for still neglecting the Temple, though they appear to have maintained religious rites. As the holy flesh did not sanctify what it touched, so religious observance did not compensate for neglecting the Temple; such neglect would make their service unclean, Hag_2:14. The earnest toils of the people had met with persistent unsuccess because God was against them, but from the moment of their repentance He would bless them, Hag_2:18-19. Amid all the upheavals described in Hag_2:7 the Jews would be preserved, and their safety guaranteed. Disturbances preceded the Savior’s first advent, as they will the second; but amid the shaking and overthrowing that are ushering in the new era, let us not fear. All that cannot be shaken will remain; and as God remembered Noah amid the tossings of the deluge, He will care for us, not because of our deserts, but because of His grace. We did not choose Him, but He us.
MeWe join our group at Friends in Jesus
You may also want to join Creation Ministries International.
Read all about it : Blue Jay × Green Jay hybrid · Creation.com
Find more Study topics at Quo Vadis World
Facebook has permanently closed my account.
We give thanks and acknowledgement to Rick Meyers for e-Sword.
P.O. Box 1626
Franklin, TN 37065
United States of America
www.e-sword.net
