CRITICAL NOTES.] This oracle, delivered nearly a month after building had begun, designed to remove despondency, and to meet a new difficulty.
Haggai 2:3.] The glory of the second did not answer to that of the former temple. Some of the oldest who had returned, had seen the first building, and wept at the contrast (Ezra 3:12). The Jews note five points of inferiority. The absence
(1) of the sacred fire;
(2) the shekinah;
(3) the ark and cherubim;
(4) the Urim and Thummim;
(5) the spirit of prophecy. Nothing] God makes the contrast as great as possible, seems to share their feeling, and give evidence of his strong sympathy.
Haggai 2:4. Yet] whatever your estimate, I give another. Strong] Fear not, I am with you. Work] David’s words to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:10; 2 Chronicles 19:11).
Haggai 2:5. Covenanted] God the same in promise to all generations and ages (Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 24:10-11). Spirit] to strengthen (cf. Haggai 1:14; Zechariah 14:6), hence continual enjoyment of God’s presence and aid.
HOMILETICS
METHODS IN DIVINE TEACHING.—Haggai 2:1-2
Rebukes, warnings, and encouragements had due influence upon the people. But new difficulties now threaten and a fresh message is required. Hence “came the word of the Lord” again, in matter and method adapted to guide and comfort.
I. God speaks to his people in different periods of time. “In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month.” In Haggai 2:1; Haggai 2:10; Haggai 2:18, and chap. Haggai 1:1; Haggai 1:15, how specific the mention of time! no age is left without its prophet and Divine utterance.
II. God speaks to his people in different circumstances of life. The Jews had passed through circumstances of indolence and zeal. Now they begin to despond on account of an inferior temple and failing harvests (Haggai 2:9-11). But when God stirs up a people he will help and comfort them in their work. “Set the wheels a going and God will oil them,” says an old writer.
III. God speaks to his people in words adapted to their needs. We have warnings and comfort, “consider” and “fear not,” “go up and build” (chap. Haggai 1:8). Revelations are given “in sundry times and in divers manners,” in parts and methods according to our requirements. Germs for present use and future growth. “Whatsoever is Divine revelation ought to overrule all our opinions, prejudices, and interests, and hath a right to be received with full assent,” says Locke. “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
CAUSES OF DESPONDENCY IN THE WORK OF GOD.—Haggai 2:3
The inferiority of the second temple to that of Solomon was a ground of discouragement in work. The old people affected the young, and though disappointment was not openly expressed, yet it suspended their labours.
I. Many disaffected discouraged others in the work. Some old men were still alive, who thought more of former performances and attainments than present duty and hopeful signs. They discouraged others, exaggerated the evils and reflected upon the work of God. Murmurers and complainers belong to every age. “If the times are bad what are we doing to mend them?” asks one. “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.”
II. All esteemed the work too lightly. “Is it not in your eyes, in comparison of it, as nothing.” They thought more of outward glory than spiritual blessings. We are too apt to judge by outward appearance, and forget God’s estimate of labour. Though we are not building a material we are a spiritual temple. If not honoured with the position of some, we have responsibilities and duties. Never say that you do nothing, if not surrounded with outward pomp, and patronized by the rich and the noble. Let us “serve our own generation by the will of God.”
REMEDIES FOR DESPONDENCY IN THE WORK OF GOD.—Haggai 2:4-5
Notwithstanding alleged grounds of fainting, God exhorts them all to be courageous, to go on with their work, and gives reasons for the exhortation.
I. God’s covenant with them is unchangeable. “According to the word that I covenanted with you, when ye came out of Egypt.” Mercies to God’s people are ensured by a pledge which is eternal and immutable. Dark may be the days and difficult the work of his people; but they are as much the object of his care as when the covenant was first ratified. They may sin and be punished for their sin; but his attitude towards them is not the result of caprice nor change. Unfaithfulness will banish God from us, but return to obedience will restore his favour and help. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
II. God’s presence with them is guaranteed. “For I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.” God continually declares that we have no ground for fear. We need to have these assurances repeated. If hosts are against us, and the Lord of hosts is with us, this should strengthen us. His presence will compensate for past distress, aid in present duty, and be all-sufficient for the untried future. “The promises of the gospel are sealed to us by the word of the Father, the blood of the Son, and the witness of the Spirit” [Mason].
III. God’s Spirit with them abides for ever. “So my Spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.” God’s Spirit was with the leaders, inspiring the prophets and sanctifying the priests; with the people for the work of the sanctuary (Exodus 31:1), and the confirmation of the weak. The Spirit to stir up all to duty (Ezra 5:1; Zechariah 4:6), and remove every hindrance to its performance. The Spirit still abides in the Church, helping to realize the Divine purpose in Christ. “Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them.” This should furnish,
1. an antidote to fear,
2. a ground of confidence, and
3. a motive to renewed consecration. “Be strong and work: for I am with you” (Haggai 2:4).
HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Haggai 2:2. The better to hearten them, the prophet is sent again, with a like message as before. Learn—
1. That there are none so forward for God and his work but may stand in need of continual quickening.
2. That continual preaching makes men continue in well-doing [Trapp].
3. That all those who work for the Lord will be strengthened and encouraged in their difficulties. Speak now, &c. “The encouragements here are sent to the same persons to whom the reproofs in the foregoing chapter are directed; for those that are wounded by the convictions of the word shall be healed and bound up by its consolations.”
Haggai 2:3. Important questions. What answers to be given? Some were left who had seen the first house in its glory, about sixty-eight years since. The contrast in the times and in the buildings no ground for despair. “Long life is a blessing to the servant of God, if at its close he is permitted to see the revival of God’s kingdom and increasing signs of its coming glory” [Lange]. In your eyes, that is, in your, thoughts: for God taketh notice of the inward workings of the heart [Trapp]. Whatever they thought of the work, God’s estimate was very different. Judge not by appearances.
Haggai 2:4-5. Lessons of life. Dwell much upon past history, and learn—
1. That what checks and distress may be experienced are due to unfaithfulness.
2. That God never failed to fulfil his covenant, whether he chastened or blessed.
3. That in the adversities of the present true hope lies in the presence and power of the Spirit [cf. Lange].
Haggai 2:4. Be strong. Here he exhorteth all ranks, first to good affection, Be strong, or of a good courage; secondly, to good action, Work, or be doing; for affection without action is like Rachel, beautiful but barren. Here then, that we falter not, betray not the cause of God, nor come under his heavy displeasure, who equally hateth the timorous and the treacherous,
1. Be armed with true faith. Faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fear.
2. Get the heart fraught with the true fear of God; for as one fire, so one fear, drives out another (Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 3:13-14).
3. Get and keep a clearing, cheering conscience; for that feareth no colours, as we see in St. Paul, Athanasius, Luther, Latimer, and other holy martyrs and confessors.
4. Think on God’s presence as here, Be strong and be doing, for I am with you. Lastly, look up, as St. Stephen did, to the recompense of reward; steal a look from glory, as Moses (Hebrews 11:26); help yourselves over the difficulty of suffering with Christ by considering the happiness of reigning together [Trapp].
Haggai 2:5. The word that I covenanted. Deliverance in Egypt should remind of God’s power and presence with his Church. Encouragement is strengthened by reference to the covenant. Former appearances are types of future.
1. Providences may seem to contradict promises.
2. Promises never contradict providences. Hence the continual repetition and renewed emphasis of the word.
“Our God is still as kind, and all His gifts
Like wondrous, like unlimited, like fair,
As when the wind first blew. Man is to God
That he hath ever been” [Bailey].
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 2
Haggai 2:1-2. Word. What a beautiful sermon or essay might be written on the the growth of prophecy!—from the germ no bigger than a man’s hand in Genesis, till the column of cloud gathers size and strength, and height and substance, and assumes the shape of a perfect man: just like the smoke in the Arabian Night’s tale, which comes up and at last takes a genie’s shape [Coleridge].
Haggai 2:3-5. Despondency. Too often a mischievous gloom enters the mind of God’s people. Their hands slacken, their energies are paralyzed for the work of God, and they sink into desponding apathy and indolence. Did we realize our present privileges and future prospects, the gleam of sunshine would be to us the earnest of what it will be, when—as Rutherford beautifully observes—“we shall be on the sunny side of the Brae” [Bridge].
“There’s not a scene on earth so full of lightness,
That withering care
Sleeps not beneath the flowers, and turns their brightness
To dark despair” [Hon. Mrs Norton].