Haggai 1: 1-3
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month [Elul], on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, “Thus speaks the LORD of Hosts, saying: “This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’S house [Temple] should be built.” ’ ”
NOTE: It is amazing that the people were more concerned about their own personal interests than wanting to rebuild the LORD’S house, but perhaps seventy years of captivity in a foreign land would dampen one’s spiritual pursuits. Of course, their lapse or lack of interest was more or less a direct result of the work being halted by King Artaxerxes [Xerxes 1] which is recorded in Ezra 4: 24, and the time when laying the foundation of the LORD’S house had resumed might have been a span of sixteen years or so. Bible Dictionary, Smith and Peloubet, Zondervan, 1948, p. 763, “Zerubbabel”).
1: 14-15
So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of Hosts, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month [Elul], in the second year of King Darius.
2: 1-2
In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: “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: ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?
2: 6-7, 9
“For thus says the LORD God of Hosts: One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.” “I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD God of Hosts.” “Greater will be the future glory of this house [Temple] than the former [Solomon’s Temple??], says the LORD of Hosts.” NAB
NOTE: This house of the LORD that started to be rebuilt during the second year after returning back to the land of Israel took the Jews 46 years to complete it (Cp. John 2: 19-21) and there is nothing in the Scriptures about the nations bringing tribute to it. Now this could refer to the Jewish Diaspora (“Dispersion”) who doubtless when they came to Jerusalem from the countries where they reside (Cp. Exodus 23: 14-17; Acts 2: 1, 8-11; 1 Peter 1: 1) for the annual appointed Feasts, they probably brought their offerings (tithes) for the maintenance of the Temple.
2: 10, 18
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying: ‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the LORD’S temple was laid-consider it.
NOTE: In the Book of Ezra the foundation of the house [Temple] of the LORD was started in the second month [Iyar] (Cp. Ezra 3: 8-10)
2: 20-23
And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month [Elul], saying: I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. ‘In that day’ [when all of this occurs], 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.”
NOTE: The overthrow of the Gentile kingdoms coincides with God honoring and exalting Zerubbabel, who was also Governor of Judah (Cp. 1: 1) but in the writings of Ezra and Nehemiah, he is not identified by such a title and Sheshbazzar is named as the prince of Judah and one who laid the foundation of the LORD. He was also named Governor of Judea by King Cyrus of Persia (Cp. Ezra 1: 8; 5: 14-16).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
January 7, 2011
Robertrandle51@yahoo.com
