Haggai – Chapter Two
Haggai preached basically three sermons in this last chapter to encourage those who would build the temple. In the first prophetic statement (verses 1-9), God assured the builders that the glory of the house they were now building would, in spiritual respects, though not outwardly, exceed that of Solomon’s temple. In the second (verses 10-19), He assured them that although their sin in delaying to build the temple had slowed down the progress of other affairs, nevertheless, now that they had seriously set about the task, God would bless them and give them success. In the third (verses 20-23), He assured Zerubbabel that, as a reward for his Godly zeal and activity, he would be a favorite of heaven and one of the ancestors of Messiah the Prince – the Anointed One - Whose kingdom will be set upon the ruins of all opposing powers. We will now look at these in greater detail.
The Promised Glory of the New House – Verses 1 – 9:
The building had been going on for about a month now. Those who are genuine in serving God will receive fresh encouragements from Him to proceed on in good way. If we set the wheels in motion, God will oil them. The people though had become discouraged in their work. The temple they were building was not as large, or lavish or as grand as Solomon’s temple had been. It had been seventy years now since that temple was destroyed and perhaps some of the people were still alive who could remember having seen its splendor. Some perhaps could recall the gold with which it was overlaid, another the precious stones, or the porch or the pillars. What they were building paled in comparison and it broke their hearts. It is sometimes the fault of old people to discourage the services of the present age by praising too much the actions and achievements of the previous “golden age”. Ecclesiastes states:
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)
God begins by asking the leaders and the remnant three questions: Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it seem to you like nothing? I can’t help but think about these questions in light of my own life – in relation to our day and age on this side of the cross. We, who are God’s children, who carry about the Spirit of God in our temples, who have the full Bible and Jesus’ life as our Supreme example - how do we look in comparison to those who walked before us? How do we measure against Paul, Peter, John, James, Spurgeon, Chambers, Graham, etc.? Do our temples seem as nothing in comparison? It is easy to get discouraged and downtrodden and give up is it not? And God calls out to us just as He did to them – “Be strong, all you people of the land and work for I am with you.”
Be Strong – means strong, courageous, firm, strengthen, support, encourage, to preserve, to conquer.
Work – means to do, make, work, create, accomplish, prepare, to obey, to offer, sacrifice, to do in a general sense, carries the connotation of ethical obligation.
David used similar rhetoric when he committed the original temple project to Solomon:
10 “Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:10 (NIV)
He has chosen us as well to build our temples through His power for His glory. We are to be strong and do the work He sets forth for us to do without becoming discouraged or afraid and especially sans complaining and arguing!
20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
I can’t help but think of Paul’s words in Philippians:
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV)
Further, Paul goes on to say regarding his own life:
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:12-16 (NIV)
Next, God adds the most wonderful statement to the leaders and the remnant – “For I Am with you”. They could be calm and assured. They would have God with them. He is enough to silence all our fears. Indeed, He is more than enough to silence any fear. They could rest secure in Him as Moses’ wonderful words stated:
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
Fear means to be afraid, to terrify, make afraid, revere. Isaiah tells us:
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
1 But now, this is what the Lord says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)
The Lord then reassured them by encouraging them not to be fearful. Since He was with them and since His Holy Spirit was with them, they could be calm and assured.
Read Max Lucado’s He Will Never Let You Go
The expression, “Do not fear”, is a common command given throughout Scripture by God to His people. He is well aware, as are we, of our frailties, our impotencies, our inadequacies. He wants to do the good work through us. We can’t do it, He never said we could. He can do it, He always said He would. When we fear we are looking to our abilities and not to God’s.
There are two types of fear:
1. The emotional and intellectual anticipation of harm or danger, the sense of dread.
2. A very positive feeling of awe or reverence for God which may be expressed in piety or formal worship. Fearing God is often the motivation which produces Godly living.
Fear can be faced with trust in the Lord. We can face fear because He can (and desires to) handle whatever we face. King David states:
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? 11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalms 56:3-4, 11 (NIV)
Remember, the great “I AM” is with us as well. He also wants us to be about completing our temples in His power for His glory. We, who are His children, who have been called according to His purpose, are to be conforming to the image of Christ – we are all in process. If we are still here, we have not gotten there! Paul tells us:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:28-32 (NIV)
The fact that God is repeatedly called the “Lord Almighty” must have brought great comfort to the people of Israel, who felt that they were a tiny, powerless province of Persia. There was no need for them to fear and there is no need for us to fear either. He covenanted this with them as well as with us when He brought them (and us) out of Egypt – out of our bondage to sin and slavery to sin. He ever remains among us so we never have need be afraid – God is with us. And who needs more power than the Omnipotent Almighty God?
“This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: ‘I will help thee’. ‘It is but a small thing for Me, thy God, to help thee. Consider what I have done already. What! Not help thee? Why, I bought thee with My blood. What! Not help thee? I have died for thee; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help thee! It is the least thing I will ever do for thee; I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose thee. I made the covenant for thee. I laid aside My glory and became a man for thee; I gave My life for thee; and if I did all this, I will surely help thee now. In helping thee, I am giving thee what I have bought for thee already. If thou hadst need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it thee; thou requirest little compared with what I am ready to give. ‘Tis much for thee to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. “Help thee?” Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of thy granary asking for help, it would not ruin thee to give him a handful of thy wheat; and thou art nothing but a tiny insect at the door of my all sufficiency. “I will help thee”.’ O my soul, is not this enough? Dost thou need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity? Dost thou want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring hither thine empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Haste, gather up thy wants, and bring them there – thine emptiness, thy woes, thy needs. Behold, this river of God is full for thy supply; what canst thou desire beside? Go forth, my soul, in this thy might. The Eternal God is thine helper!” C. H. Spurgeon
Next God goes on to state that in a little while He will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land referring to the future divine judgment. When Jesus Christ returns to earth, “the earth and the sky will tremble”:
For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. Joel 3:14-16 (NIV)
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:29-30 (NIV)
This event will affect not only the natural order which Haggai states in 2:6:
6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.’” Haggai 2:6 (NIV)
But it will also affect the people which Haggai states in 2:7:
7 ‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:7 (NIV)
This “shaking” of the nations may refer to God's gathering the nations for the Battle of Armageddon. The writer to the Hebrews quoted Haggai 2:6 in Hebrews 12:26 and then added that the kingdom of God, which “cannot be shaken” in Hebrews 12:28, will survive all divine judgments.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29 (NIV)
The “desired of all nations will come” has been usually understood as a messianic prophecy referring to the coming One desired by all nations. Jesus, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend. It could, however, also refer to the adornment of the future temple provided by the nation’s wealth.
Surrounding nations will then gladly give up their treasures to adorn the temple of Jerusalem. We are told in Isaiah and Zechariah the following:
5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Isaiah 60:5 (NIV)
14 Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected--great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. Zechariah 14:14 (NIV)
Perhaps Haggai deliberately selected a term that had exactly the ambiguity he wanted in order to include both an impersonal and personal reference.
This temple they were presently building would be filled with glory as Jesus would be presented there as a baby by His parents as well as teach and worship there. Indeed, the house they were now building would be filled with so much glory that its glory would surpass that of Solomon’s temple. It is God’s right to fill with glory; the glory that comes from Him is satisfying, not worthless. The Shekinah cloud of God’s glory filled Moses’ tabernacle and Solomon’s temple but this house would be filled with glory of Christ. Less gold but far more glory than Solomon’s as it would have the presence of the Messiah, the Son of God. When He was a mere babe, Christ was presented at the temple the remnant was presently building and Simeon stated Christ was the glory of the people Israel. We find in Luke:
27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:27-32 (NIV)
God rarely works in our preconceived and expected ways! We will never put Him in a box!
And in this place, God states, He will grant peace. And that’s the spiritual peace that Jesus Christ bequeathed to all believers. God gave His Son to be our peace. Jesus states in John:
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
Paul also adds in Ephesians:
14 For he himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:14 (NIV)
In the second sermon in verses 10-19, God assured the remnant of blessing though they were a defiled people – just like us! Although their sin in delaying to build the temple had slowed down the progress of other affairs, nevertheless, now that they had seriously set about the task, God would bless them and give them success. Over and over and over in Scripture God teaches blessings in obedience and consequences to sin. This is not because He is some cruel task master who wants to make us miserable and take all the fun out of life rather He has our best interest at heart and He knows what will bring us the most peace. His desire, as we have stated, is to make us like Jesus and that is not an easy task as sadly we often fight against Him all the way!
In this sermon God, through the Prophet Haggai, asks questions to get the remnant and leaders to see that defilement is transferrable but holiness (sanctification) is not. We fall into sin but holiness must be a pursuit.
Haggai's question regarding the transmission of ritual holiness was answered in the negative by the priests. The holiness of the consecrated meat could not transfer to the garment making it holy. But this is not true of ritual defilement, as indicated by the priests' positive reply to Haggai's question regarding the transmission of ritual uncleanness. A person's ceremonial defilement (e.g., by contact with a dead body) is as transferable to other things as is a contagious disease.
By way of conviction and caution, God sees that there are many among them who spoil this good work by going about it with unsanctified hearts and hands. God will not own what is done through our own strength and improper motives. All are warned to cleanse the hands (hearts) they employ in this good work. This was an instruction in righteousness to all who seem to think their offering sacrifices on the altar will sanctify them and excuse their neglect in building the temple. Sacrifice will not take place of our responsibility – God doesn’t take a check - if you know what I mean – and then leave us to our own harmful devices. This is a red flag to us as well. Jeremiah tells us:
21 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.” Jeremiah 7:21-24 (NIV)
God tells these people if they are worldly and morally impure, then even if they work hard at building the temple and even if they offer many costly sacrifices when it is built, the impurity of their hearts and lives will defile even that work of their hands and all their offerings making them detestable to God. Do not be misled, it matters greatly how we live our lives. We are to keep our accounts short. Paul tells us:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
By way of comfort and encouragement, God tells them (and us) if their hearts are right with God and they are wholehearted and willing, God would remove the punishment of famine and restore great plenty to them. They would lack nothing to make them happy. Our God is not a God of lack – with Him we are never wanting. Yet, on the other hand, as long as they continued on, neglecting the temple work, all their affairs would go backward and not forward. We don’t want that for our lives or our family’s lives either! David’s prayer regarding Solomon should be mimicked by us for ourselves and our families:
9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (NIV)
Lastly, we see in verses 20-23 God speaking to Zerubbabel himself. Zerubbabel is concerned about the community and about the neighboring nations and their governments. He is concerned about what will become of the few weak Jews and about how such a poor ruler as he would be able to keep his ground and serve his country. “Go to him,” God says, “and tell him it will be well with him and his remnant.” Any time we are doing God’s work in God’s way we will never lack God’s supply nor His comfort and encouragement. Learn to look at everything He allows in our lives as a gracious gift from God even though it is perhaps the most difficult thing we can walk through. There is nothing chance, happenstance or random in our lives.
The world is going to shake – and it is going to be especially turbulent. But thank God the earth will be shaken because it is going to shake the wicked out of it. In the apocalyptic visions, earthquakes are not a sign of hard times for the church. The Babylonian monarchy, which had been the throne of kingdoms, was already overthrown, and the powers that are still to come will also be overthrown; their day to fall will come. They trust in chariots and horses, but their chariots will be overthrown, and so will those that ride in them. This is the fate of all the enemies of God’s church, and it seems also to be intended as a promise of Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness, his overthrow of Satan’s throne – the throne of all other kingdoms. All opposing rule, principality and power will be destroyed, so that the kingdom may be delivered up to God, even the Father:
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 (NIV)
He is assuring Zerubbabel that he will be kept safe under divine protection in the midst of all these commotions. I am reminded of Psalms 91:
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the Lord, who is my refuge-- 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalms 91:1-16 (NIV)
Zerubbabel is acknowledged here as God’s chosen servant, He will be as His signet ring confirming his representative role in typifying the Messiah. Indeed, we are all as Zerubbabel’s of sorts as we are called to represent the Messiah through His power for His glory. We are to be as His signet ring in the here and now. A signet ring symbolizes the following – this list is certainly not exhaustive:
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.