In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, Ver. 1. _In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month_] This is the preface to the fourth sermon, as some reckon it; noting the exact time when it was del... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 2. _Speak now to Zerubbabel, &c._] The better to hearten them on in the work, the prophet is sent again to them, with a like message as... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 3. _Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory?_] Some such there were among them (as is here implied), and these must needs be v... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 4. _Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, &c._] Here he exhorteth all ranks,... [ Continue Reading ]
Haggai 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. Ver. 5. _According to the word_] Or, as Tremellius hath it better, _Cum VERBO quo pepigeram vobiscum,_ With the WORD, in and for whom I covenanted with you, &c. So... [ Continue Reading ]
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]; Ver. 6. _For thus saith the Lord of hosts_] _i.e._ The three persons in Trinity, as appeareth by the note on the former verse. Howbeit, the author to the... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 7. _And I will shake all nations_] First, by the civil wars between the Triumviri, not long before Christ's incarnation. Secondly, by the general tax, Luke 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
The silver [is] mine, and the gold [is] mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Ver. 8. _The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts_] Whereas the Jews might object that it was not likely the second temple should be more glorious than the first, since they wanted that wealth wherewith... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 9. _The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former_] Because Christ shall appear and preach in it, _as _ Hag 2:7 who is... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 10. _In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius_] This diligence of the prophets in noting and noticing the precise t... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests [concerning] the law, saying, Ver. 11. _Ask now the priest concerning the law_] For who should know the law better than the priests? And who so fit to resolve cases of conscience as they? It was their office, Lev 10:10-11 Deu 33:10 Malachi 2:7. See... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 12. _If one bear holy flesh in the skirt, &c._] Problems and parables are notable helps to the bolting out o... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 13. _If one that is unclean by a dead body_] With a ceremonial uncleanness. The Hebrew hath it thus, If one that is unclean in soul, that i... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 14. _So is this people, and so is this nation before me_] Though pure in their own eyes, Proverbs 30:12,... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 15. _And now, I pray you, consider_] Heb. Lay it upon your heart, as Haggai 1:5; _See Trapp on "_ Hag 1:5 _"_ The often repetition of this precept sets forth, 1. The nec... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 16. _Since those days were_] Or, as some read it, _Antequam essent in eo opere,_ Before the... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 17. _I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail_] _Pugnis pluvi, colaphis grandinavi,_ I have followed you close with one judgment upon another; and... [ Continue Reading ]
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]. Ver. 18. _Consider now from this day and upward_] And see how punctually the time of benediction answereth to the time of... [ Continue Reading ]
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]. Ver. 19. _Is the seed yet in the barn?_] Jerome rendereth it, _in germine,_ in the sprouting, or spirting, as they call it, and so... [ Continue Reading ]
And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth [day] of the month, saying, Ver. 20. _And again, the word of the Lord_] Again the same day. Twice a day preaching is no new practice then. This prophet did it; so did our Saviour, Matthew 13:1. So did Chrysostom, as appeareth... [ Continue Reading ]
Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; Ver. 21. _Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah_] Governors are sure to meet with many difficulties and discouragements (high seats are never but uneasy), and had need therefore of singular consolation, that th... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 22. _And I will overthrow the thr... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 23. _I will take thee, O Zerubbabel_] That is, O Christ, of whom Zerubbabel was both a father... [ Continue Reading ]