DARIUS THE KING] This was unquestionably Hystaspes, who was raised to the Persian throne after the death of the impostor, Smerdis. SIXTH MONTH] the 6th of the Jewish year, i.e. the month Elul (August-September). ZERUBBABEL] A prince of the royal line of Judah, and the accepted civil leader of the... [ Continue Reading ]
A CALL TO BEGIN BUILDING THE TEMPLE 1-11. Haggai repeatedly urges the leaders of Judah and the people to bend their energies to the rebuilding of the ruined Temple (August, 520 b.c.).... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS PEOPLE] Haggai, like other prophets, did not need to create a sense of wrongdoing, but only to awaken conscience. He challenged their idle excuses. THE TIME IS NOT COME] Evidently this was no sincere desire to await some specified date, but a wilful delaying of duty. In the interests of religio... [ Continue Reading ]
TIME FOR YOU, O YE] lit. 'for you, you,' the repeated pronoun being very emphatic, so as to make a sharp contrast between them and the God they dishonoured. CIELED HOUSES] houses panelled with costly cedar planks. They could seem to afford luxuries for themselves, but were indifferent to the ruined... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSIDER YOUR WAYS] lit. 'Set your heart on your ways,' i.e. consider thoughtfully the situation in which you find yourselves. An appeal made four times by the prophet.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE EAT, BUT YE HAVE NOT ENOUGH] lit. 'but not to satisfy.' This v. formulates a series of vigorous comparisons, indicating that their labour had been ill rewarded. They had experienced failures of crops, continuous poverty, and lessening of physical vigour. BAG WITH HOLES] No one gets ahead, but see... [ Continue Reading ]
GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN] They were to act at once. The prophet was in earnest. The MOUNTAIN would be 'the hill-country of Judah,' the mountainous neighbourhood. Compare Nehemiah 2:8 and Nehemiah 8:15. BRING WOOD] i.e. timber suitable for building. THE HOUSE] the Temple of Jehovah, which had been lying... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REMNANT OF THE PEOPLE] i.e. the rest of the people; those who had returned from Babylon were but a fraction of the once numerous nation. DID FEAR] It was a real religious change that came over them. They obeyed, not because of terror, but from a new sense of reverence for God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD'S MESSENGER] This v. is rejected by many scholars as superfluous. They also question this title as needless. It is the only instance in Scripture where a prophet uses such a title concerning himself. Nevertheless, it is not incongruous. I _am_ WITH YOU] This encouraging word assured the peo... [ Continue Reading ]
STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT] The first result of Haggai's unsparing sermon was a spiritual change in the hearts of his hearers. A zealous purpose was once more kindled. The second result was practical. Within three weeks from the date of his first appeal the work upon the Temple had begun, with unanimity... [ Continue Reading ]