Haggai 2:1

In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, The people, discouraged at the inferiority of this temple to Solomon's, are encouraged, nevertheless, to persevere, because God is with them, and this house, by its connection with Messiah's kingdom, shall have a glory far above that of gold and silver. IN THE SEVENTH MONTH - of the Hebrew year; in the second year of Darius' reign (); not quite a month after they had begun the work (). This prophecy was very little before that of Zechariah....

The Prophet now states another reason why he had been sent by God, in order that he might obviate a temptation which might have hindered the work that was begun. We have seen that they were all stirred up by the celestial spirit to undertake the building of the Temple. But as Satan, by his many arts, attempts to turn back the godly from their course, so he had devised a reason by which the desire of the people might have been checked. Inasmuch as the old people, who had seen the splendor of the former temple, considered this temple no better than a cottage, all their zeal evaporated; for, as we have said, without a promise there will continue in men no ardor, no perseverance. Now we know what had been predicted by Ezekiel, and what all the other Prophets had testified, especially Isaiah, who had spoken highly of the excellency of the Church, and shown that it was to be superior to its an...

1-9 Those who are hearty in the Lord's service shall receive encouragement to proceed. But they could not build such a temple then, as Solomon built. Though our gracious God is pleased if we do as well as we can in his service, yet our proud hearts will scarcely let us be pleased, unless we do as well as others, whose abilities are far beyond ours. Encouragement is given the Jews to go on in the work notwithstanding. They have God with them, his Spirit and his special presence. Though he chastens their transgressions, his faithfulness does not fail. The Spirit still remained among them. And they shall have the Messiah among them shortly; "He that should come." Convulsions and changes would take place in the Jewish church and state, but first should come great revolutions and commotions among the nations. He shall come, as the Desire of all nations; desirable to all nations, for in him s...

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 Solomon. Compare_ Ezra 3:12. _To raise the spirits of the people, and encourage them to_ _proceed with the work, the prophet assures them that the glory_ _of the second temple should be greater than that of the first,_...

IN THE SEVENTH MONTH, IN THE ONE AND TWENTIETH DAY OF THE MONTH - This was the seventh day of the feast of tabernacles, Leviticus 23:34, Leviticus 23:36, Leviticus 23:40. and its close. The eighth day was to be a sabbath, with its “holy convocation,” but the commemorative feast, the dwelling in booths, in memory of God’s bringing them out of Egypt, was to last seven days. The close then of this feast could not but revive their sadness at the glories of their first deliverance by God’s “mighly hand and outstretched arm,” and their present fewness and poverty. This depression could not but bring with it heavy thoughts about the work, in which they were, in obedience to God, en

EXPOSITION HAGGAI 2:1 Part II. THE SECOND ADDRESS: THE GLORY OF THE NEW TEMPLE. Haggai 2:1—§ 1. _The prophet comforts whose who grieve at the comparative poverty of the new building with the assurance of the Divine protection and favour._ HAGGAI 2:1 IN THE SEVENTH MONTH, IN THE ONE AND TWENTIETH DAY OF THE MONTH. The seventh month is Ethanim or Tisri, answering to parts of September and Ootober. The twenty-first was the last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacles ...

IN THE SEVENTH [MONTH],.... The month Tisri, which answers to part of September and part of October: IN THE ONE AND TWENTIETH [DAY] OF THE MONTH; being a month, wanting three days, from the time the Jews came and worked in the house of the Lord, Haggai 1:14 it was toward the close of the feast of tabernacles: see Leviticus 23:34: CAME THE WORD OF THE LORD BY THE PROPHET HAGGAI; the word of prophecy, as the Targum: this was from the Lord, not from the prophet himself; he was only the messenger sent with it to deliver it: SAYING; to him the prophet, giving him orders as follow:...

Haggai 2:1. _In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month._ Not very long after. Haggai 2:2. _Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest and to the residue of the people, saying, Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?_ It appears that the spirit of idleness had broken out again. As the walls began to rise the older men wept at the recollection of what an inferior structure it would be, compared with the former building of Solomon, and the idolaters, ready enough to get an excuse, are ready enough to cease work. Therefore, God's prophet is at it again. If the fire begins to die out, t

SEVENTH MONTH That is, October....

CHAPTER 2:1-9 The Third Address Over a month later, after a good deal of work had been done, the prophet delivered his third message. He is commanded to speak to the same company, headed by Zerubbabel and Joshua; but here the remnant of the people, the exiles who had returned, is also included. If we consult Ezra 3:12 we find that many old men, who had seen the temple of Solomon, burst out in weeping when the small foundation was laid for the new temple. A similar feeling possessed the people when they resumed the temple work after Haggai's first message. In comparison with the former temple, so grand and glorious, the new temple was a feeble and insignificant affair. The prophet begins his message by asking, “Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory, and how do you see it now? Is it not in your eyes as nothing?” No doubt there was additional weeping when the prophe