Haggai 2

Haggai 2:1

SEventh moneth] Of the second yeare of Dariut his reign, Chap. 1. 1.

by the prophet Haggai] Heb. by the hand of.

Haggai 2:3

Who is left among you] Haggai by the judgement of all commenters spake of men that had seen the former Temple in age of discretion. See Ezra 3:12.

Haggai 2:4

be strong] Zac 8:9.

and work] That is, go forward in building the Temple.

Haggai 2:5

my spirit remaincth among you] Of grace, light, vertue, and holinesse. See Isaiah 63:11.

Haggai 2:6

Yet once] Hebrews 12:26.

will shake the heavens] As formerly, when I gave my law, I appeared in terrible majestie: so in the Messias his time, I will manifest the mightie power of my Spirit, by the preaching of the Gospel: from whence shall follow great commotions, to the ruine of the devils kingdome, and confirming of Christs, by removing of the heaven of ceremonies under the law, calling and gathering together all mine elect. See Joe 3:16. Hebrews 12:26-27.

Haggai 2:7

the defire of all nations shall come] Namely, Christ, desired of the faithfull in all nations.

I will fill this house with glory] This re-edified Temple shall be honoured with Christs bodily presence; and the spirituall Temple, which is the Church, shall be honoured by my presence in Spirit, and by the abundance of my graces, by the light of my Word, and virtue of my Spirit.

Haggai 2:8

The silver is mine] If I pleased, it were an easie matter for me, to beautifie this Temple with precious ornaments like unto the first; but I do prepare endlesse glory, farre greater then that, for it.

I give peace] Namely, the preaching and enjoying of spirituall peace, founded upon the reconciliation of men with God, through Christ, who is our peace, and did shew himself in this house.

Haggai 2:11

Ask now the priests] To whom it belonged to answer in doubtfull cases, and concerning questions of the law. Deut. 10. 10, 11. and 33. 10.

Haggai 2:12

If one bear holy flesh, &c.] The meaning is, as according to the law, every thing that toucheth a holy thing, as the flesh of sacrifices is, ought to be clean, and though it be so, yet it cannot put any holinesse into a thing, which by Gods command is but for ordinary uses, but may by it uncleannesse defile a thing which is pure and holy: so the holinesse of my service dependeth not upon you, but upon my free institution; but you may make it unclean by your uncleannesse, hypocrisie, and evill conscience.

bread] That is, ordinary bread.

Haggai 2:13

by a dead body] Numbers 19:11.

Haggai 2:14

So is this people] Even in the same manner, because this people is of an unclean consience, all that they do in my outward worship, is also unclean. Titus 1:15.

that which they offer there is unclean] Namely, upon the altar, which was already re-edified. Ezra 3:2.

Haggai 2:15

from before, &c.] Namely, before there was any hand set to the work of re-building the Temple, interrupted for many years after their return from Babylon. See Ezra 3:8. and Ezra 5:2.

Haggai 2:16

Since those dayes] Or, that since. Since you have taken no care of my Temple, and have profaned my service, all your hopes of abundance and prosperity have failed you.

when one came] Chap. 1. 9. Zechariah 8:10.

Haggai 2:17

I smote you] Or, That I smote you, That is, your fruits.

with blasting] Deuteronomy 28:22. 1 Kings 8:37. Amos 4:9.

Haggai 2:18

from this day] From the time they began to build the Temple, he promiseth that God will blesse them: and albeit as yet the fruit was not come forth, yet in the gathering they should have plenty.

four and twentieth day] At which time the Prophet prophesied these things. Vers. 10.

Haggai 2:19

seed yet in the barn] He exhorteth them to patience, and to abide till the harvest came, and then they should see Gods blessings.

Haggai 2:20

twentieth day of the moneth] Namely, of the aforesaid ninth moneth.

Haggai 2:21

I will shake the heavens] Vers. 6, 7. I will make a change, and renew all things in Christ, of whom Zerubbabel here is a figure: for in the Messiah’s times not onely the earth and earthly Emperour were shaken, but also the Heavens, or the old Ceremonies, that figured the doctrine of the Kingdom, that such as should not be shaken might be settled, Hebrews 12:26.

Haggai 2:22

the throne of Kingdoms] All power and height, contrary to Christs Kingdom, which I have established for ever, over all the world. Others, there shall be no lett or hinderance when God will make this wonderfull restitution of his Church.

the sword of his brother] Hereby is signified the conflicts of the Kingdoms of the world, stirred up one against another by Gods providence, and judgement. Matthew 24:7.

Haggai 2:23

will I take thee] I will appoint Christ, who shall come forth of thee according to the flesh, Luke. 3. 27. and whose figure thou art, Zac 4:12. to be my sacred King, whom I will inviolably keep me, and love: Which is the signification of this proverbiall terme, of making and keeping as a Signet. Cant. 8. 6. Jeremiah 22:24.