Haggai 1

PREFACE. Of what family this Prophet was, he hath given us no intimation: but the time when he prophesied he has distinctly noted, viz. in the sixth year of Darius Hystaspes. The occasion of this prophecy was the stop that was put to the building of the temple, after the foundation had been laid, according to the commandment of Cyrus, about seventeen years before. ClfAP. L The prophet reprovcth the people’s delays in rebuilding the temple, and tells them, this their neglect’was the cause they prospered no better: he encouragcth themto set about it, and promises God’s assistance in it.

Haggai 1:1

JLNthe second year of Darius the king. Compare Ezra iv. 24. v. 12. This is the same Darius who is called in the heathen writers Darius Hystaspes; as shall be proved in the note upon ii. 3. and Zcch. i. 12. Came the word of the Lord by Ilaggai unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor ofJudah.]- Called Zorobabcl the son of Salathiel, Matt. i. 12. Luke iii. 27. He was grandson to Jeconiah king of Judah, who was carried captive to Babylon; (see 1 Chron. iii. 17. 19.) whom king Cyrus made iEchmalotarches, or governor of the Jeivs, who returned from the captivity; as being the eldest person of the royal family: he had the name ofShezbazzar given him by the Chaldeans; (sec Ezra i. 8. compared with ii. 2.) as Daniel was called by them Beltcshazzar, (Dan. i. 7.) And unto Joshua the son of Josedech the high-priest.’] Called Jcshua in the books of Ezra and Nchcmiah: his father Josedech, or Jehozadah, was carried captive to Babylon. (See 1 Chron. vi. 15.)

Haggai 1:2

Tliis people say, The time’ is not come that the Lord’s house should be built. They pretended they had not the encouragement and protection of the king of Persia. This prophecy seems to be delivered before Darius had granted his decree for building the temple. (Compare Ezra v. 1. with vi. 1.)

Haggai 1:4

Is it time for you — to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?. You complain of the times; yet they have not been so difficult, but that you have found means and opportunity to build fine houses for yourselves, though ye are content to let the house of God lie in ruins. It argues a great contempt of God and religion, when men think no cost or finery too much to bestow upon themselves, and the meanest accommodation good enough for, the service of God.

Haggai 1:5

Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little, &c. Consider both your ingratitude in thus neglecting to restore my house and worship, and what you have got by these your dealings, viz. how none of your undertakings thrive, or are successful; nor do you enjoy the fruits of your labours. (See Micah vi. 15. compare Ezek. viii. 10.) He that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.] Whatever gains he makes, they are followed by such losses, as leave him no richer than he was before: or provisions are so dear, (see ver. 11.) that men can but just live by their labour.

Haggai 1:8

Go ye up to the mountains, and bring wood, and build the house. Go to any of the forests upon the mountains, (see Nehem. ii. 8.) and cut down timber to carry on the building. They entered upon the work before they had any decree from Darius to forward the work. (See Ezra v. 2, 3.) It is probable, that afterward they had leave to fetch cedar from Mount Lebanon. (See Ezra iii. 7.) And Iivill take pleasure in it, and I will be glorifiedJ] Or, I tvill place my glory there, as theChaldee expounds it. (See ii. 7.)

Haggai 1:9

Ye looked for much, and it came to little. See ver. 6. andii. 16. • * And when ye brought it home, I did blow [or, I had blown] upon it.] I had blasted the fruits of the earth, while they were in the field. (See ver. 11. and ii. 17.). Because of my house that is waste, and ye run every man to his own house.] Ye make what haste ye can to build your own houses, and let mine lie in ruins.

Haggai 1:10

The heaven is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit, &c. I have punished you with great drought, wherein the dew itself ceases to fall. (See 1 Kings xvii. 1.) * This blasted and withered the fruits of the earth; a curse formerly denounced against you for your disobedience. (See Lev. xix. 24. Deut. xxviii. 23.)

Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel, &c. Compare Ezra v. 2.,

Haggai 1:13

Then spake Haggai the Lord’s messenger. Or, prophet. (Compare Isa. xliv. 26. Mai. iii. 1.)