"And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, (21) Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; (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, everyone by the sword of his brother. (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 is commissioned to close his prophecy with a particular and special message to Zerubbabel, governor of Judaea. And this I apprehend principally, as typical of Christ. For though the Lord in shaking kingdoms and nations, might tell this governor not to feel alarm, yet this could not be intended to hold forth to Judaea, or Judaea's governor, peace in temporal things in the midst of the commotion; for in fact it was not so. Judaea became a province subject to Rome, before the coming of Christ. No doubt therefore, the shaking here spoken of alluded to the overthrow of Satan's kingdom and power; the heathen idolatry, and all that oppose Christ and his blessed gospel. And in this, as a type of the Lord Christ, Zerubbabel hath sweet assurances. But, Reader, look at Jesus, and the type is lost in the reality. Is Zerubbabel called the servant of Jehovah? Here he became the type of the glorious Mediator. Behold my servant, saith Jehovah, whom I uphold! Isaiah 42:1. Is Zerubbabel called the chosen of the Lord? Here again he typified Christ. Is Zerubbabel a signet? Surely we discover the type again here representing Him, whom God the Father sealed. John 6:27. Indeed, is not Christ called Zerubbabel, as he is very frequently called David? See Zechariah 4:7. The Targum renders the words in the last verse, for I have chosen thee: in thee I am well pleased: which can never be said of any but of Christ, and of him it is repeatedly said, Matthew 3:17 and Matthew 17:5. Precious testimonies of our Lord Jesus Christ!