Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
Ver. 3. Then came the word of the Lord, &c.] "Then," after a short silence, as it were, profertur Domini quasi cogitata responsio, follows the Lord's elaborate and deliberate answer, not without some touch of holy tartness at their ingratitude; for, of all things, God can least endure to be slighted where he hath better deserved. He looks upon such with anger, being grieved at the hardness of their hearts, Mark 3:5. He complains of such with a sigh; "Ah, sinful nation," Isaiah 1:4; he is ready to rid his stomach of them, Isaiah 1:24 "Ah, I will ease me," &c.