CHAPTER II _When this prophecy was uttered, about_ four _years before the_ _temple was finished, and_ sixty-eight _after the former one was_ _destroyed, it appears that some old men among the Jews were_ _greatly dispirited on account of its being so much inferior in_ _magnificence to that of So... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3. _WHO_ IS _LEFT AMONG YOU THAT SAW THIS HOUSE IN HER FIRST_ _GLORY?_] Who of you has seen the _temple_ built by _Solomon_? The foundation of the present house had been laid about _fifty-three_ years after the destruction of the temple built by Solomon and though this prophecy was uttered _fi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _YET NOW BE STRONG_] Do not let this discourage you. The chief glory of the temple is not its splendid building, but my _presence_; and as _I covenanted to be with you_ when ye came out of Egypt, so I will fulfil my covenant; for _my Spirit remaineth among_ _you, fear not_; Haggai 2:5. What... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _YET ONCE, IT_ IS _A LITTLE WHILE, AND I WILL SHAKE THE_ _HEAVENS_] When the law was given on Mount Sinai, there was an earthquake that shook the whole mountain, Exodus 19:18. "The political or religious revolutions which were to be effected in the world, or both, are here," says Abp. _New... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _AND THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME_] The present Hebrew text is as follows: ובאו חמדת כל הגוים. This is a difficult place if understood of a _person_: but חמדת _chemdath, desire_, cannot well agree with באו _bau, they shall come_. It is true that some learned men suppose that חמדות... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _AND IN THIS PLACE WILL I GIVE PEACE_] שלום _shalom a_ _peace-offering_, as well as _peace_ itself; or _Jesus Christ_, who is called the _Prince of peace_, through whom _peace_ is proclaimed between God and man, between man and his fellows; and through whom _peace_ is established in the _di... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:10. _IN THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH_ DAY _OF THE NINTH MONTH_] Three months after they had begun to rebuild the temple, Haggai is ordered to go and put _two questions_ to the priests. 1. If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and he touch any thing with his skirt, is that thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:14. _THEN ANSWERED HAGGAI _- SO IS _THIS PEOPLE_] As an _unclean_ man communicates his uncleanness to every thing he touches, so are ye unclean; and whatever ye have hitherto done is polluted in the sight of God. For your neglect of my temple has made you unclean, as if you had contra... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:16. _SINCE THOSE_ DAYS _WERE_] I have shown my displeasure against you, by sending _blasting_ and _mildew_; and so poor have been your _crops_ that a heap of corn which should have produced _twenty_ _measures_ produced only _ten_; and that quantity of _grapes_ which in other years wou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:18. _CONSIDER NOW FROM THIS DAY_] I will now change my conduct towards you: _from, this day_ that ye have begun heartily to rebuild my temple, and restore my worship, _I will bless you_. Whatever you _sow_, whatever you _plant_, shall be blessed; your land shall be fruitful, and ye sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:20. _AGAIN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME_] This was a _second_ communication in the same day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:21. _I WILL SHAKE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH_] _Calmet_ supposes that the invasion of _Cambyses_, and his death, are what the prophet has in view by this _shaking of the heavens and the_ _earth_: but this invasion and defeat happened _three years before_ they had begun to work at the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Haggai 2:23. _IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD_] Some think, says this same learned writer, that _Zerubbabel_ is put here for his _people_ and _posterity_: but it may well be said that the commotions foretold began in the rebellion of Babylon, which Darius besieged and took; and exercised great cru... [ Continue Reading ]