The Coming Glory of the Temple. Haggai 1:12-15 and Haggai 2:1-9
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
II. CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO TEMPLES, Hag_2:1-9
1. As Seen by the People, Hag_2:1-3
2. As Promised by God, Hag_2:4-9
THE PEOPLE OBEY THE LORD
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people [who had returned from exile], listened carefully and obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, since the LORD their God had sent him. And the people [reverently] feared the LORD.
Then Haggai, the LORD’S messenger, spoke the LORD’S message to the people saying, ” ‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.”
So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month (Sept 21, 520 B.C.) in the second year of Darius the king.
THE COMING GLORY OF THE TEMPLE
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month (Oct 17, 520 B.C., the second year of Darius king of Persia), the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying,
“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,
‘Who is left among you who saw this house (temple) in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?
But now be courageous, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD, ‘be courageous also, Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and be courageous, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of hosts.
‘As for the promise which I made with you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit stands [firm and immovable] and continues with you; do not fear!’
“For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. [Heb_12:26]
‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the desirable and precious things of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory and splendor,’ says the LORD of hosts. [Isa_60:5; Mat_2:1-12]
‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD of hosts.
‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and in this place I shall give [the ultimate] peace and prosperity,’ declares the LORD of hosts.”
F. B.Meyer
on
Haggai 1:12-15 and Haggai 2:1-9
THE TRUE GLORY OF GOD’S HOUSE
One earnest man can arouse an entire community. Let a fire glow in our hearts, and it will spread. Assured of God’s presence and favor, within three weeks the whole land was awake. Note the cooperation of God’s Spirit with the message of His servant, “the Lord stirred up.” Let us ever seek and rely on His cooperation! “We are witnesses, so also is the Holy Spirit!” Three prophecies occupy the following chapter. In the first, Hag_1:1-9, the Jews are encouraged to persevere. Although there was no comparison between the glory of Solomon’s Temple and the splendor of this, they must not be discouraged. Though they might deplore the absence of the sacred fire of the Shekinah, of the Ark with its cherubim, of the Urim and Thummim, and of the spirit of prophecy, yet the Messiah’s presence, which would be associated with the second Temple would more than compensate for their deficiency, since He was the antitype of them all. If we lack many of the advantages and attractions in which others excel, let us be more than satisfied to possess Christ. And be it always remembered that Christian worship seeks to realize the presence of Him who said: “I am in the midst.” Without that a cathedral is an empty void; with that, a barn will be heaven. For Hag_1:6-7 see Heb_12:26-28. This little while in God’s arithmetic lasted for 517 years.
MeWe join our group at Friends in Jesus
We also have a Page about Creation Ministries International.
See also Young Earth Creationists
On Facebook;
Join our closed group at Quo Vadis Christian Community Group to read and partake in the Bible study learn to know Jesus Christ. To know Him is to Love Him.
We also have an open Page at Quo Vadis Christian Community you might want to know more about.
Please ad yourself to our Messenger group to receive notification and chat to other members of the group.
You may however wish to disable notification and look at post when you have the time.
Join our messenger group at Friends in Jesus.
If you want a Bible please contact Please let me have a Bible.
If you want a Bible in Pakistan.
You may also want to join Creation Ministries International.
Find more Study topics at Quo Vadis World
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
