I covenanted with you: or, supply the Ellipsis thus: "[I remember", or "Remember ye] the word which I", &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45 , Exodus 29:46 ). when ye came, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:51 ). App-92 . so My Spirit, &c.: i.e. speaking by the prophets. Compare Nehemiah 9:20 . Isaiah 63:10-14 . Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . remaineth: or, abideth. read more
"According to the word which I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, and my Spirit abode among you: fear ye not."The ancient covenant that God made with Abraham, promising to bless "all the people of the earth" through his "seed" (singular, which is Christ), will yet be honored by the Father. True, there had been a gross misunderstanding on secular Israel's part about what God's blessing meant, most of them interpreting it to mean that God would help them subdue all earthly enemies and... read more
Haggai 2:5. According to the word that I covenanted— Houbigant begins this verse with the last clause of the fourth, For I, saith the Lord of Hosts, will bring to you that which I covenanted with you, when ye came out of Egypt; and my Spirit shall remain with you: fear ye not. What was that covenant? says Bishop Warburton;—that Israel should be his people, and he be their God and king. Therefore, it cannot mean barely that he would be their God, and they should be his people; for this was but... read more
5. According to the word that—literally, "(I am with you) the word (or thing) which I covenanted"; that is, I am with you as I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt (Exodus 19:5; Exodus 19:6; Exodus 34:10; Exodus 34:11). The covenant promise of God to the elect people at Sinai is an additional motive for their persevering. The Hebrew for to "covenant" is literally "to cut," alluding to the sacrificial victims cut in ratification of a covenant. so—or, "and." my Spirit remaineth among... read more
II. A PROMISE OF FUTURE GLORY FOR THE TEMPLE 2:1-9 read more
The Lord reiterated the promise He had made to the Israelites when they left Egypt in the Exodus. His Spirit would stay in their midst, so they did not need to fear (cf. Exodus 19:4-6; Exodus 33:14). The returnees could identify with their forefathers who departed from Egypt because they had recently departed from another captivity in Babylon. As the Lord had been with them in the cloudy pillar, so He was with them now. As David had encouraged Solomon to build the first temple with the promise... read more
2Words of Encouragement. The Glory of the Second Temple1-9. An encouraging message in counteraction of disparaging comments upon the Temple structure, setting forth the significance and glory of the new Temple.1. Seventh month] i.e. Tishri, September-October. This message was delivered just four weeks after the beginning of the work. So heartily had every one united in it that the general outline and character of the new edifice had become apparent. The Feast of Tabernacles was in progress.... read more
II.(1-9) The Third Utterance.—This utterance treats of the glory which, in a later time, is to attach itself to the sacred spot whereon the returned exiles are labouring. It was intended more especially as a message of consolation to those who remembered Solomon’s magnificent structure, and who now gazed sadly on the humble proportions of its successor. read more
(5) According to the word.—Better, with the word. The clause is connected with the closing words of Haggai 2:4. Jehovah is present with them, and so is His Promise made by solemn covenant in the days of old.So my spirit.—Better, and my spirit. Besides such promises of God’s abiding favour as Exodus 29:45-46, they have among them the abiding presence of His Holy Spirit. Having these, let them not be afraid. The evidence of the Divine Presence was the mission of inspired prophets, such as Haggai... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:1-9
A message of encouragement (2:1-9)Although the foundation of the temple had been laid sixteen years earlier, it had no doubt been damaged during the years of neglect. More work was necessary before construction could begin on the building itself. After the people had been at work for about a month, they could see enough of the rebuilt foundation to form an idea of the size of the proposed temple. Some of the very old people, remembering Solomon’s magnificent temple, may have commented that this... read more