Charles Ellicott Commentary Haggai 2
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Haggai 2
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Haggai 2
"In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying," — Haggai 2:1 (ASV)
In the one and twentieth day. —Here, again, the day selected is significant. The twenty-first day of the seventh month (Tisri) was the seventh and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This was the festival of harvest thanksgiving, and its occurrence had always been marked by observances of a particularly joyous character. Moreover, the sacrifices on this occasion were very numerous—the number prescribed by the Talmud for the first day exceeding that of any other day in the year.
Thus the scanty harvest and the small beginnings of the Lord’s House would both be brought into prominence. It would be only natural if feelings of despondency were excited among those who were old enough to remember the Temple of Solomon, with its costly accessories and elaborate ceremonial, and the festive rites with which the “joy in harvest” had expressed itself in a more prosperous time. There is no ground, however, for supposing that the prophet was himself one of these aged persons.
"In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, 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 that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Jehovah, and work: for I am with you, saith Jehovah of hosts, [according to] the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, and my Spirit abode among you: fear ye not. For thus saith Jehovah 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; and I will shake all nations; and the precious things of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, saith Jehovah of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith Jehovah of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, saith Jehovah of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith Jehovah of hosts." — Haggai 2:1-9 (ASV)
The Third Utterance. —This utterance concerns the glory which, in a later time, is to attach itself to the sacred spot where the returned exiles are labouring. It was intended especially as a message of consolation to those who remembered Solomon’s magnificent structure, and who now gazed sadly on the humble proportions of its successor.
"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," — Haggai 2:2 (ASV)
The residue. —See Haggai 1:12, Note.
"Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing?" — Haggai 2:3 (ASV)
Is it not ...—Better, is not such a (Temple) as this like nothing in your eyes?
"[according to] the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, and my Spirit abode among you: fear ye not." — Haggai 2:5 (ASV)
According to the word. —Better, with the word. The clause is connected with the closing words of Haggai 2:4. Jehovah is present with them, and so is His Promise made by solemn covenant in the days of old.
So my spirit. —Better, and my spirit. Besides such promises of God’s abiding favour as Exodus 29:45-46, they have among them the abiding presence of His Holy Spirit. Having these, let them not be afraid. The evidence of the Divine Presence was the mission of inspired prophets, such as Haggai and Zechariah, and the Targum and the Rabbis are perhaps right in referring the words "and my spirit" exclusively to the "spirit of prophecy." It may be noticed that the later Jews held that the Holy Spirit left the Church after the deaths of Zechariah and Malachi.
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