Haggai 1:13

13. The “fear” can hardly be considered an evidence of a “penitential state of mind”; nevertheless the prophet saw that the indifference had been shaken and that a message of encouragement might prove effective.

Messenger The prophet is called a messenger of Jehovah, because he is sent by him (12) to deliver his message.

In Jehovah’s message The root of this noun is the same as that of “messenger,” and the phrase seems to mean “in the capacity of a messenger of Jehovah,” that is, not of his own accord.

I am with you The task may seem difficult, but with Jehovah’s co-operation assured they need not fear (compare Haggai 2:4; see on Zechariah 4:6-7). Some commentators question the originality of Haggai 1:13, because (1) it interrupts the thought, Haggai 1:14 being the natural continuation of Haggai 1:12; (2) Haggai is not called a prophet, as elsewhere, but a messenger, which is thought to point to diversity of authorship.