Haggai chapter 2
Haggai prophesies again. The future glory of the temple.
HAGGAI PROPHESIES AGAIN
VERSE 1. In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
The date of this message was October 17, 520 BC.
It was the last ordinary day of the Feast of Booths. And it was nearly a month after the people had resumed the rebuilding of the temple.
VERSE 2. “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
Zerubbabel … Joshua. This second message is directed to the same two leaders: Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest.
the remnant of the people. The Bible describes a uniquely faithful group of believers called “the remnant.” Are they Jewish or Christians? Now or in the future? Who are they really? Read more »
VERSE 3. ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn’t it in your eyes as nothing?
VERSE 4. Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says the LORD of Hosts.
Be strong, all you people. They are to take courage.
and work. They are to work.
for I am with you. The LORD God promises to be with us always, even to the ends of the world. Read more »
VERSE 5. This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Don’t be afraid.’
Don’t be afraid. Fear is a natural emotion. We can’t turn it off. Most people are held back by fear. But the Bible says “Do not be afraid.” That means to move forward anyway. Read more »
THE FUTURE GLORY OF THE TEMPLE
VERSE 6. For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;
a little while. This does not suggest “immediacy.” Rather, it suggests it could occur at any time.
Hebrews 12:26. whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”
VERSE 7. and I will shake all nations. The treasure of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.
VERSE 8. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the LORD of Hosts.
NAB translation. Mine is the silver and mine is the gold, says the LORD of hosts.
The LORD God can easily cause us to prosper.
VERSE 9. ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of Hosts; ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of Hosts.”
The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former. The NIV translation puts it this way:
The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty.
this present house will be greater. There are good things in store! The days ahead will be better than the days behind.
in this place I will give peace. The Shin kyo do yaku translation puts it this way:
この場所に私わ平和お与える
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Haggai and from the entire Bible.
VERSE 10. In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
VERSE 11. “The LORD of Hosts says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
VERSE 12. ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?’ ” The priests answered, “No.”
VERSE 13. Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be unclean?” The priests answered, “It will be unclean.”
VERSE 14. Then Haggai answered, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before me,’ says the LORD; ‘and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.
VERSE 15. Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in the LORD’s temple.
VERSE 16. Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty.
VERSE 17. I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you didn’t turn to me,’ says the LORD.
VERSE 18. ‘Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider it.
VERSE 19. Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven’t produced. From today I will bless you.’ ”
NIV translation. Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. ‘From this day on I will bless you.’
From this day on I will bless you. The LORD God gives them a fresh start. Henceforth, they will know his blessing upon our lives.
VERSE 20. The LORD’s word came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,
VERSE 21. “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth.
VERSE 22. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.
VERSE 23. In that day, says the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of Hosts.”
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(Zechariah chapter 1)
HAGGAI
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.