Haggai 2:9 - Exposition

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former . Revised Version, following the Septuagint, "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former." "This house" means the temple at Jerusalem, regard not being paid to the special building ( Haggai 2:3 ), whether of Solomon, or Zerubbabel, or Herod. As understood by the hearers, this promise referred to the material fiches, the precious things offered by the Gentiles. To us it speaks of the promise of Christ, God incarnate, in the holy city and in the temple itself, and of his presence in the Church, wherein he abides forever. Here is the complete answer to the complaint of Haggai 2:3 . In this place will I give peace. Primarily this means in Jerusalem, the place where the temple stood, God would grant peace from enemies, freedom from danger, and quiet enjoyment of promised blessings (comp. Isaiah 55:1-13 :18; Joel 3:17 ; Micah 5:4 , Micah 5:5 ). But the promise is not fulfilled by this; the peace promised to the spiritual temple is that peace of heart and conscience which is given by him who is the Prince of Peace ( Isaiah 9:6 ), and which includes all the graces of the Christian covenant ( Ezekiel 34:25 ). The first temple was built by the king whose name is "Peaceful;" the second is glorified by the presence of the "Peace bringer" ( Genesis 49:10 ). At the end of this verse the LXX . has an addition not found in the Hebrew, "even peace of soul for a possesion to every one who buildeth, to raise up this shrine."