Haggai - Chapter 2

Haggai 2.1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, Haggai 2.2 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, Haggai 2.3 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? Haggai 2.4 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: 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. Haggai 2.6 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; Haggai 2.7 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. Haggai 2.8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2.9 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. Haggai 2.10 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, Haggai 2.11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, Haggai 2.12 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. Haggai 2.13 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. Haggai 2.14 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. Haggai 2.15 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: Haggai 2.16 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. Haggai 2.17 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. Haggai 2.18 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. Haggai 2.19 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. Haggai 2.20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Haggai 2.21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; Haggai 2.22 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. Haggai 2.23 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.

Haggai : Chapter 2

Encouragement and Promises in Haggai 2

Haggai chapter 2 provides divine encouragement and promises. How does God inspire the completion of the temple? This motivating text presents four prophetic messages, assuring God's presence, promising future glory for the temple, and blessings to come. The chapter also addresses ritual purity, God's sovereignty over the nations, and the choice of Zerubbabel as the messianic representative.

Haggai 2 emphasizes themes such as faithfulness, hope, and God's redemptive plan. Let's reflect together on five biblical passages that shed light on the enduring principles of this crucial chapter.

Illuminating Bible Passages

Zechariah 4:6-10

"Then he said to me, 'This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. [...] 'The hands of Zerubbabel laid the foundation of this temple; your hands will also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.'" This prophecy of Zechariah complements the message of Haggai 2:4-5 on the role of Zerubbabel and the importance of the Spirit in the rebuilding of the temple.

Hebrews 12:26-27

"At that time, his voice shook the earth, but now he promises: 'Once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.' The words 'once more' indicate the removal of what can be shaken, that is, created things, so that what cannot be shaken remains." The author of Hebrews quotes Haggai 2:6, interpreting it as a prophecy about the final judgment and God's unshakable Kingdom.

1 Peter 2:5

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual building to become a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Peter uses the metaphor of the temple to describe the church, in connection with the rebuilding of the temple in Haggai 2.

Revelation 21:22-23

"I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." This vision of the heavenly "temple" reflects and expands on the promise of the temple's future glory in Haggai 2:9.

Ephesians 2:20-22

"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone, in whom the whole building fits together and grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. In him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by his Spirit." Paul uses the metaphor of temple building to describe the church, echoing the themes of Haggai 2 about temple rebuilding and the presence of God.