Hag. 2 Haggai encourageth the people to the work, by promise of greater glory to the second temple than was in the first, Hag. 2:1–9. Under the type of things holy and unclean he showeth that their sins had kept back God’s blessings, which he promiseth them from that time, Hag. 2:10–19.

The seventh month, which the Hebrews called Tisri, and Ethanim, and it answers to part of our September and to part of October. The one and twentieth day; some seven weeks after the first, mentioned in the first chapter, and about one month after they began to build, or at least prepared for…

Speak now; once again acquaint them with what I now impart for their encouragement. To Zerubbabel, & c.: see Hag. 1:1, Hag. 1:12.

Who is left among you? there are surely some that are of that age as to have seen the temple which our father’s sins, God’s just displeasure, and the Chaldean malice burnt; who are they? and where may they be found? This question implieth there were such, and by Ezra 3:12–13 it appears there were…

In this juncture, though old men weep for the disproportion of the two temples, yet now be strong; be of good courage yourselves, O Zerubbabel, and thou, O Joshua, and encourage others by your example, animate each other, that all the people of the land may take heart with you.

The word; either the word of promise to give them his presence, and to carry them through all opposition, or, the Word, the Son of God, promised to them and us; so it refers to Christ, in whom all the promises are yea and amen.

Yet once; after many repetitions and confirmations of the new covenant, one more repetition, and but one more, rests to be made. It is a little while; comparatively it was little; though five hundred and seventeen years from the second of Darius Hystaspes to the incarnation of Christ, a long time…

I will shake all nations; which was literally fulfilled in the overthrow of the Persian monarchy by the Grecians, in the civil wars and succeeding troubles among Alexander’s successors, the growth of the Roman power by the subduing their neighbours, and their dissensions and homebred wars, all…

The right as indisputable, the treasures of both as full and large, doubt not therefore but I will give enough to build this house; and I could beautify it with these as much as the first temple, but I intend a greater glory. I am the Proprietor, others but trustees; I have the full disposal of all.

The glory, which God intends to put upon this temple. Solomon. and a rich people, with incredible spoils taken from conquered nations, gave a glory to the first house, but God himself will give the glory of this house.

This tenth verse is an introduction to the fourth solemn discourse or sermon the prophet makes to this people, and there is nothing difficult in it but what hath been opened already. In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month; two months and two days after the third sermon, Hag. 2:2.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts: the prophet comes with his double parable, or problem, but not of his own head, but in the name of the Lord of hosts. Ask; consult with, desire the solution of the following case.

If one, any one, bear, carry away from the altar, or the priest’s hands, holy flesh, part of the sacrifice, legally and ceremonially sanctified, or made holy by the altar on which the whole was sanctified, of which a part is supposed to be carried away in the skirt of his garment, in the lap of his…

Now the second case is proposed for resolution, &c. If one that is unclean; ceremonially or legally polluted, and unclean. By a dead body; for such touch, though at unawares, did pollute, Num. 19:13. Touch any of these; bread or pottage, wine, or oil, or meat.

Now is the case applied. As common things touched by holy things are not sanctified, and as polluted persons touching what is clean pollute it; as holy things did not by touch and bodily application make him legally holy who was common, but a polluted person made all he touched and handled unclean;…

And now; furthermore consider. I pray you: he affectionately entreats them to observe. From this day; this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, Hag. 2:10.

Since those days; all that while the temple lay neglected, and you were contented with maimed and half worship, men were disappointed half in half. When one came to a heap, which he expected would prove twenty measures, ephahs, or bushels, or what other measure you please, there were but ten; it…

I smote; my hand was visible in your losses, scarcity, and disappointments. You; the persons put for their labours, their corn, vines, and olives. With blasting; burning and scorching winds, that blasted all.

See Hag. 2:15. Make you observation from the day when you began to build on the old foundation laid many years ago in the time of Cyrus. Consider it; let that be the precise day from which you begin your reckoning.

Your seed for the next harvest is yet in your barns, unsown, and no one can make any conjecture yet, whether next year’s increase shall be great and blessed, or whether it shall be blasted and little; I do not speak, saith Haggai, on conjecture, but in the name of the Lord foretell and promise you,…

See Hag. 2:10, Hag. 2:15.

Speak my word, and in my name, saith the Lord. To Zerubbabel governor of Judah: see Hag. 1:1, Hag. 1:12. I will shake the heavens and the earth: see Hag. 2:6.

I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms: now Babylonians are subjected to the Persian power, and this standeth on the strength of many kingdoms, and seems to be one throne secured by all the power of the known world, and can hardly be hoped to be hereafter better than an enemy and opposer of the…

In that day; during those days of troubles, wars, and destruction, and particularly towards the end of them. I will take thee; advance, honour, defend, and own. O Zerubbabel: personally understood it respecteth the beginning of those days.