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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, 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, 2:3 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? 2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: 2:5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
2:10 In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, 2:11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 2:12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
2:13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
2:14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
2:15 And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: 2:16 Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.
2:17 I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.
2:18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider it.
2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
2:20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, 2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; 2:22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
2:23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

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Everything King James Bible:Haggai
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Haggai
Book: Haggai
Chapter: 2

Overview:
Greater Glory promised to The Second Temple than to the first.
(1-9) Their sins hindered the work. (10-19) The kingdom of
Christ foretold. (20-23)

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 shall all the Earth be blessed with the best
of blessings; long expected and desired By all believers. The
House they were Building should be filled with Glory, very far
Beyond Solomon's Temple. This House shall be filled with Glory
of another nature. If we have Silver and Gold, we must serve and
honour God with it, for the property is his. If we have not
Silver and Gold, we must honour him with such as we have, and he
will accept us. Let them be comforted that the Glory of this
latter House shall be greater than that of the former, in what
would be Beyond all the glories of the first House, the presence
of the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord of Glory, personally,
and in human nature. Nothing but the presence of the Son of God,
in human form and nature, could fulfil this. Jesus is the
Christ, is He that should come, and we are to look for No other.
This Prophecy alone is enough to silence the Jews, and condemn
their obstinate rejection of Him, concerning whom all their
prophets spake. If God be with us, peace is with us. But the
Jews under the latter Temple had much trouble; but this promise
is fulfilled in that spiritual peace which Jesus Christ has By
his Blood purchased for all believers. All changes shall make
way for Christ to be desired and valued By all nations. And the
Jews shall have their eyes opened to behold how precious He is,
whom they have hitherto rejected.

10-19 Many spoiled this good work, By going about it with
unholy hearts and hands, and were likely to gain No advantage By
it. The sum of these two rules of the Law is, that Sin is more
easily learned from others than Holiness. The impurity of their
hearts and lives shall make the work of their hands, and all
their offerings, unclean before God. The case is the same with
us. When employed in any good work, we should watch over
ourselves, lest we render it unclean By our corruptions. When we
begin to make Conscience of duty to God, we may expect his
blessing; and whoso is Wise will understand the loving-kindness
of the Lord. God will Curse the blessings of the wicked, and
make Bitter the prosperity of the careless; but he will sweeten
the Cup of affliction to those who diligently serve him.

20-23 The Lord will preserve Zerubbabel and the people of
Judah, amidst their enemies. Here is also foretold the
establishment and continuance of the kingdom of Christ; By union
with whom his people are sealed with the Holy Ghost, sealed with
his image, thus distinguished from all others. Here also is
foretold the changes, even to that time when the kingdom of
Christ shall overthrow and occupy the place of all the empires
which opposed his cause. The promise has special reference to
Christ, who descended from Zerubbabel in a direct line, and is
the sole Builder of the Gospel Temple. Our Lord Jesus is the
Signet On God's right Hand, for all power is given to him, and
derived from him. By him, and in him, all the promises of God
are yea and Amen. Whatever changes take place On Earth, all will
promote the comfort, honour, and happiness of his servants.

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