§ 2. The prophet, to reconcile the people to the new temple, and to touch them to value it highly, foretells a future time, when the glory of this house shall far exceed that of Solomon's, adumbrating the Messianic era. read more
The prophet's Messianic prophecy. In studying the Old Testament, it is deeply interesting to trace therein the gradual development of the Messianic hope. Three distinct stages are observable. 1 . From the promise made at the Fall ( Genesis 3:15 ) until the death of Moses. The indefinite promise respecting "the Seed of the woman" was made more definite in the promise to Abraham ( Genesis 12:3 ), and was revealed still more explicitly in "the Prophet" who was declared by Moses as at... read more
The moral progress of the world. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land," etc. Humanity is undoubtedly progressing in certain directions—in secular information, in scientific discoveries, in useful and ornamental arts, in the extension of commerce, in the principles of legislation. But whether it is progressing in moral excellence is undoubtedly questionable, and yet there is no real progress... read more
All nations ( Luke 21:25 , where our Lord refers to the end of this world). But before Christ's first advent there was a general shaking of empires. Persia fell; Alexander's dominion was divided and gradually shattered before the might of Rome; Rome herself was torn with civil wars. The faith in the power of national gods was everywhere weakened, and men were prepared to receive the new revelation of one Supreme Deity, who came on earth to teach and save. Now is mentioned the object or... read more
The desire of all nations. I. ALL NATIONS HAVE DESIRED A VISIBLE DIVINITY ; AND SUCH A MANIFESTED OR REVEALED DIVINITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO MANKIND IN CHRIST . That all nations from the beginning downward have believed in the existence of a Supreme Being has been sufficiently demonstrated by the universality in man of the instinct of worship. Nor have all nations merely wished possess a god, but the Deity they have longed for has been, not a god... read more
God's temple filled with glory. "And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." I. VIEW THIS DIVINE PROMISE AS FULFILLED IN THE ADVENT OF CHRIST TO THIS PARTICULAR SANCTUARY FOR GOD . 1 . Thither the Child Jesus was taken in his infancy by Joseph and Mary, that they might present him before the Lord. So far as material splendour was concerned, no trace of it was to be seen in this introduction of the Child Jesus to that house. The... read more
The silver is mine. All the riches of the world are the Lord's, and he disposes of them as he wills; if he has promised that the Gentiles shall offer their treasures for his service, be sure he will perform his word. There may also be intended a word of comfort for the desponding; they need not grieve because they had but poor offerings to bring to the house; he wanted not gold or silver, for all was his. read more
The silver and the gold: a sermon on money. I. A FORGOTTEN TRUTH RESTATED . That God is the sole Proprietor of money: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts" (cf. Joel 3:5 ). The proof lies in three things; that the silver and the gold are: 1 . Of God ' s making. They belong to him as part of that earth and its fulness which he hath created ( Psalms 24:1 ; Psalms 50:12 ), as David acknowledged in his prayer, "All that is in the heaven and... read more
The consecration of wealth. "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." I. THE DIVINE RIGHT TO EVERYTHING WE POSSESS . God is our Sovereign, and as such he exercises dominion over us, and disposes of us as it seemeth him good. This sovereignty is exercised by him in strict accordance with the principles of wisdom, rectitude, and goodness. This Divine right has reference, not only to ourselves, but extends also to all that we possess. "All things... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-7
The shaking of the heavens and the earth. I. HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS . 1 . At Sinai, when Jehovah manifested himself to Israel ( Exodus 19:16-19 ; Psalms 68:7 , Psalms 68:8 ). Preparatory and prophetical. 2 . At the birth of Christ, when Jehovah appeared on earth in the Person of his Son ( Joel 2:30 , Joel 2:31 : Luke 2:8-14 ; Acts 2:19 , Acts 2:20 ). Furthering and fulfilling. 3 . At the end of time, when Jehovah will a third time appear, in the... read more