CHAP. I. V. 1. ( Notes , Ezra 4:17-24, v. 24. 5:1,2. 6:6-15.) The second year of Darius Hystaspis was about sixteen years after Cyrus issued his decree. - The repeated testimony of Zechariah shews, that these events occurred, not more than seventy years after the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar: ( Zech . 1:12,13. 7:3-5.) and as no Darius reigned in Persia, till long after that time, except Darius Hystaspis, it is beyond all doubt, that he was intended. Shealtiel is exactly the same in the original, with Salathiel , (1.
Chr . 3:17.) and Jose dech , with Jehozadak . (1 Chr . 6:14,15.) It would have been more convenient to the mere English reader, if the same persons had uniformly been called by the same names; where the original is the same, or so nearly the same, as to preclude all doubt of the meaning.- Jeshua ( Ezra 2:2.) is spelt differently than Joshua in this verse: but the same person is evidently intended. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref.) - 'If these two 'notable men had need to be stirred up and 'admonished of their duties; what shall we 'think of other governors, whose doings are 'either against God, or very cold in his cause?" V. 2. The Jews, discouraged by opposition, had left off to build the temple; and they concluded that it was not a proper time to resume that work, though they did not intend to give it up.
They were then few in number, and poor, compared with the affluence of Israel in the days of Solomon; their enemies were many, and the kings of Persia frowned on them; they had many temporal concerns, personal and public, to attend on; and they concluded that VOL. IV. 106
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; 1ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; TM Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, 9 and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did # blow upon it. * Why? saith the Lord of hosts. t Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
k 9. 2:16. Lev. 26:20. Deut. | p 1 Kings 9:3. 2 Chr. 7:16. Ps. 28:38-40. 2 Sam. 21:1. Ps. 87:2,3. 133:13,14.
107:34. Is. 5:10. Jer. 14:4. Hos. 4:10. 8:7. Joel 1:10- 13. Am. 4:6-9, Mic. 6:14, 15. Zech. 8:10. Mal. 2:2. 3: 9-11.
1 Lev. 26:26. 1 Kings 17:12. Job 20:22. Jer. 44:18. Ez. 4: 16,17.
Heb. pierced through. Job
20:28. Zech. 5:4.
m See on 5. Ps. 119:59,60. Is. 28:10. Phil. 3:1.
n 2 Chr. 2:8-10. Ezra 3:7, 6: 4. Zech. 11:1,2.
q 2:7. Ex. 29:43. Is. 60:7,13. 66:11. John 13:31,32.
r See on 6.-2:16,17. Is. 17:10, 11. Mal. 3:8-11.
|| Or, blow it away. 2 Sam. 22 16. 2 Kings 19:7. Is. 40:7 Mal. 2:2.
s Job 10:2. Ps. 77:5-10.
t See on 4.-Josh. 7:10-15.2 Sam. 21:1. Matt. 10:37,38. 1 Cor. 11:30-32. Rev. 2:4. S: 19.
u Lev. 26:19. Deut. 28-23,24. 1 Kings 8:35. 17:1. Jer. 14:1 -6. Joel 1:18-20.
they should not be able to build the temple at all, or not with suitable magnificence. They therefore thought it best to rest contented with an altar, on which to sacrifice, till a more favorable opportunity arrived. But "the LORD of hosts" (whose power was sufficient to support them against all opposition,) disapproved these vain excuses, and therefore sent the prophet with the subsequent message. They 'preferred policy and private profit to religion.' ( Marg . Ref . Notes, Num. 13:31. Neh . 4:10. Ec . 9:10.)
V. 4. While the Jews thought themselves unable to rebuild the temple, they were very active about their own houses; and many of them decorated them with wainscot and ceilings of cedar, or other valuable materials; and then lived in them, at ease and in indulgence. But if the times had been so bad, as to render it impracticable for them to build the temple, it would not have been in their power to acquire such houses for themselves. ( Marg Ref. Notes , 2 Sam . 7:1-3. Ps . 132:2-5.
Matt . 6: 33,34.) Their excuses were therefore fallacious; and even Zerubbabel and Joshua were faulty in conniving at their negligence. ( Note , Ezra 4:17-24.) The decree of Artaxerxes, or Smerdis the usurper, against the building of the temple, lost all its authority when he was slain; but that of Cyrus remained in full force. had the Jews therefore been duly zealous and courageous, they would immediately have resumed the work, which had been violently interrupted.-'It argues a great contempt of God 'and religion, when men think no cost or fine'ry too much to bestow upon themselves, and [841
11 And I called for a drought upon || messenger in the Lord's message unto the the land, and upon the mountains, and upon people, saying, I am with you, saith the the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon LORD. the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands. 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him: and the people did fear before the LORD.
13 Then spake Haggai a the LORD'S
* Deut. 29:22. Marg . 2 Kings | z Gen. 22:12. Ps. 112:1. Prov. 8:1. Job 34:29. Lam. 1:21. 1:7. Ec. 12:13. Is. 50.10. Acts Am. 5:8. 7:4. 9:6.
y 14. Ezra 5:2. Is. 55:10,11. Col. 1:6. 1 Thes. 1:5,6, 2:13, 14.
9:31. Heb. 12:28.
a Judg. 2:1. marg. Is. 42:19. 44:26. Ez. 3:17. Mal. 2:7. 3: 1. 2 Cor. 5:20.
'the meanest accommodation good enough for 'the service of God.' Lowth .
V. 5-11. “Consider the plagues of God 'upon you, for preferring your policies to his 'religion; and because ye seek not him first of 'all.' The Lord here called the people to "consider their ways;" that is, not only their conduct and motives by way of self-examination but also the state of their affairs; by which they would perceive that their conduct was as impolitic as it was irreligious. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . i-m.- Notes , Ps . 119:57-63, υv . 59,60. Ec . 7:13,14.
Ez . 18:28. 1 Cor . 11:29-34, vv . 30-32.) They well knew, that their crops of corn had been very scanty, in proportion to the land tilled, or the seed sown. They had not a sufficiency of meat or drink, either through scarcity, or for want of a blessing; their clothes soon wore out, and did not defend them from the cold; and the hard-earned wages of the laborer, or mechanic, seemed to be put into "a bag with holes," they were so soon gone, through dearness of provisions, and a variety of expenses.
It was therefore expedient for them to review their conduct; and this would shew them, that they should immediately (though to the neglect of their own concerns,) go to mount Lebanon, or other forests on the inountains, and prepare timber, and set about the building of the temple: and God would graciously take pleasure in it, as the centre of his worship, and the type of Christ, though far inferior in magnificence to Solomon's omon's temple; yea, he would deem himself "glorified" by it.
They must know, that when they had used all proper means, had every probability, and had entertained the most sanguine expectations, of a large increase, they were strangely disappointed: and even what they had had brought home
was
it,"
wherefore was this? Truly, because th they neglected the temple and left it in ruins, whilst they eagerly employed themselves in building and decorating their own houses: and therefore they were visited by drought and famine, and various diseases both of man and beast. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . k, l. n-x. Notes , 2:15 -19. Deut . 23:23,24. Is . 17:10,11. Mal . 3:712.) The returned captives seem to have greatly prospered in their husbandry and other employments for some time: but when they began to neglect the temple, and to spend the gains on their own houses, and in their own indulgence; they were visited with drought and unfruitful seasons, and remarkable ill success in 842]
14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, dgovernor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
b 2:4. 2 Chr. 15:2. 20:17. 32:
8. Ps. 46:7,11. Is. 8:8-10. 41:19. 43:2. Jer. 15:20. 20:11. 30:11. Matt. 1:23. 18:20. 28: 20. Acts 19:9,10. Rom. 8:31. 2 Tim. 4:17,22.
c 1 Chr. 5:26. 2 Chr. 36:22.
Ezra 1:1,5. 7:27,28. Ps. 110: 3. 2 Cor. 8:16. Heb. 13:21. d 1. 2:21.
e Ezra 5:2,8. Neh. 4:6. 1 Cor. 15:58. Phil. 2:12,13. f 1: 2:1,10,20.
every thing. Let them consider what was the reason of this change.
Brought it home , &c. (9) 'The line may very 'well be translated: "And ye have brought an 'offering to my house, and I have snuffed at it." Bp . Newcombe .
V. 12. This message of God by his prophet had the proper effect. The rulers and people were faulty, but they were not hardened as their fathers had been: and, though they had not lately been accustomed to the ministry of prophets, and Haggai seems not to have wrought any miracle; they considered him as sent by the LORD their God, and reverenced his authority. Zerubbabel and Joshua were most ready to receive this reproof, and attend to his exhortation, and the people were influenced by their example. They therefore "feared the LORD" and obeyed his voice, and immediately began to make preparation for the work. ( Marg . Ref . Notes, Ezra 5:1,2. Prov. 25:11,12. Mic . 2:6,7.)
V. 13-15. Within little more than three weeks after Haggai's first message was delivered, the people having already testified their readiness to obey, he was sent again to them with a gracious assurance of the Lord's presence and favor. He was called the Lord's messenger , (the word being the same, as is generally rendered an angel , because of his employment, which was to bring messages from God to the people. His word was attended with a powerful blessing, in stirring up their minds and animating their courage for this arduous undertaking. ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , Ezra 1:1--6. 7:27,28. 2 Cor . 8:16-24, 8:16-24, υυ . 16,17. Phil . 2:12,13.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
ated admon
monition
by Even pious persons often need to be excited, station; station; especially especially when attended with danger and difficulty.--Many goo difficulty. Many good works have been purposed, and not performed, because men imagined that the proper time was not come: thus believers lose opportunities of usefulness, and sinners procrastinate in the concerns of their souls till it be too late.--The Lord notices all the objections and excuses, with which men satisfy themselves and each other, in the neglect of duty; and when he shall expose and answer them, "every mouth will be stopped." Providential dispensations are seldom interpreted properly, without a careful attention to the word of God: thus many conclude that poverty or trouble excuses them from duty,
when indeed it is intended to rebuke their negligence. Those who plead, that they cannot at present afford to contribute to pious or charitable designs, often lavish in needless expenses on their tables, houses, furniture, apparel, or decorations, ten times as much as was expected from them for far better purposes: and few are at all aware how large a fund frugality and self-denial might raise, even from persons of moderate incomes, for good works, without the least injury to them or their families.
But if men will dwell in ceiled houses, and indulge every wayward inclination, when the house of God lies waste and his poor are starved, they may expect rebukes and corrections. How can they , who evidently do not "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," think themselves true Christians?
And are not lukewarm professors of true religion marked in God's word with peculiar disapprobation? (Note, Rev. 3:14-16.) Indeed, those who do not prosper in the world ought to "consider their ways:" for "there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty." If the Lord be offended by a man's selfishness, he can easily blast all his projects, and insensibly reduce him, whatever his occupation or industry may be.
He can deprive him of all comfort in his possessions: and even if his income be not scanty, he can cause it to spend badly, and then all his gains shall seem to be put "into a bag with holes;" all his labors be fruitless, all his possessions blown upon, and all his expectations frustrated. Our dependence is in every thing so entirely on God, that when "we look for much, and have little," and are remarkably crossed in our undertakings; it behoves us to inquire, wherefore he contends with us.
And, if we attend to his word, consult his ministers, inquire of him in prayer, and examine ourselves, we shall not fail to find out the cause. Perhaps some duty is neglected, the payment of some vow is postponed, or some worldly object is idolized.
When this discovery is made, we should without delay amend what has been amiss: and if we attend to those things which please the Lord, and wherein "he is glorified," whatever else be neglected or procrastinated, we shall best consult our own true interest and comfort: but without that faith and fear, which produce unreserved and prompt obedience, we cannot expect that the Lord will be with us. The most
see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LorD, and work; for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, h so my Spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts;
e Deut. 31:23. Josh. 1:6,9.1g Ex. 29:45,46, 33:12-14.34: Chr. 22:13, 28:20. Zech. 8:9. 1 Cor. 16:13. Eph. 6:10. 2
Tim. 2:1.
f 1:13. Ex. 3:12. Judg. 2:18. 1 Sam. 16:18. 2 Sam. 5:10. Mark 16:20. Acts 7:9. 2 Tim. 4:17.
8,10.
h Num. 11:25-29. Neh. 9:20, 30. Is. 63:11-14. Zech, 4:6, John 14:16,17.
i Josh. 8:1. 2 Chr. 20:17. Is. 41:10,13. Zech. 8:13,15. Matt. 28:5. Acts 27:24. Rev. 1:17.
offended, when reminded of their duty by the meanest servant of God: they should reverence his authority, and submit to his reproof, in the words of his ministers: and the more wisdom and piety they have, the more readily will they attend to such exhortations. When leading men set the example, it will influence the remnant of the people, and they may expect encouragement: and "if the Lord be with us," who can be against us, to prevent our success, or in any measure to hurt us? These considerations should stir up our spirits, to be diligent and courageous in laying ourselves out in the work assigned us: yet if any means prove successful to render us zealous in good works, we must give all the praise to him, from whom alone "cometh every good and perfect gift," and "who worketh in us to will and do of his good pleasure."
NOTES.