Encouragement and Promise
1On the twenty-first day of the seventh month,2:1 Lv 23:33–43; 2Ch 7:8–10 the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:
2“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people:
3‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Doesn’t it seem to you like nothing by comparison?2:3 1Kg 5:13–16; 6:38; 1Ch 29:1–8; Ezr 3:10–13; Zch 4:10
4Even so, be strong, Zerubbabel — this is the Lord’s declaration.2:4 Jos 1:6–9; 1Ch 28:10,20 Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land — this is the Lord’s declaration. Work! For I am with you2:4 Hg 1:13; Zch 8:9 — the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
5This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt,2:5 Ex 33:14–17 and my Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.’”
6For the Lord of Armies says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth,2:6 Hg 2:21 the sea and the dry land.2:6 Is 64:2; Ezk 38:19–20; Heb 12:26–28
7I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,”2:7 Ex 40:34–35; 1Kg 8:10–11; Is 60:1–13 says the Lord of Armies.
8“The silver and gold belong to me” — this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
From Deprivation to Blessing
10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Haggai:
The priests answered, “No.”
13Then Haggai asked, “If someone defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” 2:13 Lv 11:39; 22:4–6; Nm 19:11–13,22
The priests answered, “It becomes defiled.”
14Then Haggai replied, “So is this people, and so is this nation before me — this is the Lord’s declaration. And so is every work of their hands; even what they offer there is defiled.
15“Now from this day on, think carefully: Before one stone was placed on another in the Lord’s temple,
16what state were you in?2:16 Hb obscure When someone came to a grain heap of twenty measures, it only amounted to ten; when one came to the winepress to dip fifty measures from the vat, it only amounted to twenty.
17I struck you — all the work of your hands — with blight, mildew,2:17 Dt 28:22; 1Kg 8:37; Am 4:9 and hail,2:17 Ps 105:32–33 but you didn’t turn to me — this is the Lord’s declaration.
18From this day on, think carefully;2:18 Hg 1:5,7 from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid; think carefully.
19Is there still seed left in the granary? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.”2:19 Zch 8:9–13
Promise to Zerubbabel
20The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
21“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.2:21 Hg 2:6–7; Ezk 38:19–20
22I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms.2:22 Gn 19:25; Am 4:11 I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword.
23On that day” — this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies — “I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and make you like my signet ring,2:23 Est 8:8; Jr 22:23–25 for I have chosen you.”2:23 Mt 1:12–13 This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
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