Haggai 1:13

Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I [am] with you, saith the LORD.

Ver. 13. Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger] Or angel. See Trapp on " Mal 1:1 " (Then speaks) Namely, on the four and twentieth day of the month, as it is in the last verse; until which day they had been building for three weeks together. But Governor Tatnai and his complices came upon them, and discouraged the people and hindered the work, Ezra 5:6; Ezra 5:8. It was but needful, therefore, that God's command should be repeated, and a special promise added, "I am with you," saith the Lord. Where we may well take up that of Cicero concerning Brutus' laconical epistle, Quam multa, quam paucis! how much in a little. "I am with you," saith the Lord, you need not therefore fear what man can do unto you. God is all-sufficient to those that are altogether his, see 2 Chronicles 15:2. The Church is called Jehovah Shammah, that is, "The Lord is there," Ezekiel 48:35 "God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved," Psalms 46:5. Immota manet may better be her motto than Venice's. She is surely invincible, Zechariah 12:5,7, as having a mighty champion, even the Holy One of Israel; and this makes her (though but a virgin) to laugh to scorn her proudest enemies; yea, to shake her head at them, Isaiah 37:22,23, as rather to be pitied than envied. There were they in great fear (saith David, of the Church's enemies); for what reason? God is in the generation of the righteous, Psa 14:5 Hence those Philistines were so woe-begone, 1 Samuel 4:7. And the Eygptians no less, Exodus 14:25. Let us flee, say they, from the face of Israel; for the Lord fights for them. "What shall we then say to these things?" saith Paul (who had often heard when he was in the enemy's hand, Fear not, I am with thee), "If God be for us, who can be against us?" who dare be so fool-hardy, so ambitious of his own destruction? Hath ever any waxed fierce against God and prospered? Job 9:4. Where is Pharaoh, Nero, Nebuchadnezzar, &c.? Was it safe for these or any other to provoke the Lord to anger? were they stronger than he? Oh that men would (according to Solomon's counsel) meddle with their match, and not contend with him that is mightier than they! Can God be with his people and see them abused to his face? Will they force the queen also before him in the house, Esther 7:8. Will they, giant-like, fight against God? will they needs touch the apple of his eye, that tenderest piece of the tenderest part? Will they invade his portion, plunder him of his jewels, pull the signet from his right hand? Surely God is so with his people, that as he taketh notice of the least courtesy done to them to reward it (even to a cup of cold water), so of the least affront or offence, to revenge it, be it but a frown or a frump, Genesis 4:6 Numbers 12:10 "Better a millstone were hanged," &c. Better anger all the witches in the country than one of God's zealous witnesses, Revelation 11:5. Death cannot hurt them, Psalms 23:3. Hell could no more hold them (the pains of hell got hold on David, but he was delivered, Psa 116:3) than the whale could hold Jonas; it must needs render them up again, because God is with them. Now I had rather be in hell (said Luther) with God than in heaven without him, and it were far safer for me.