The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Glory” it comes from the Hebrew Word “kabod” which means “glory, honor.”
Haggai promises the rebuilt temple’s latter glory will exceed the former, and blessing will now begin. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Haggai 2.
Haggai speaks in the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month. The word of the Lord comes by him, asking who is left among them who saw this house in her first “glory,” “kabod” in Hebrew. He asks how do they see it now: is it not in their eyes in comparison of it as nothing. He urges Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people of the land to be strong, and work, for He is with them.
Haggai declares the word that He covenanted with them when they came out of Egypt, so His spirit remains among them. He urges them not to fear, for thus says the Lord of hosts: yet once, it is a little while. He will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land, and He will shake all nations. The desire of all nations shall come, and He will fill this house with glory. He declares the silver is His, and the gold is His. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, and in this place He will give peace.
Haggai asks the priests concerning the law, whether holy flesh in the skirt of one’s garment touching bread makes it holy. The priests answer no. He then asks whether one unclean by a dead body touching any of these makes it unclean. The priests answer yes. He applies this: so is this people, and so is this nation before Him, and so is every work of their hands. He closes with a magnificent personal promise to Zerubbabel. In that day He will take him, and make him as a signet, for He has chosen him. This remarkable closing promise elevates Zerubbabel, a humble governor under Persian rule, into a symbol of God’s ongoing covenant faithfulness. That faithfulness continued to the line of David despite the exile.
Haggai’s magnificent promise, the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, offered genuine hope to a discouraged remnant. That remnant was comparing their modest rebuilding effort unfavorably against Solomon’s original magnificent temple. This book’s closing promise to Zerubbabel, elevated as God’s chosen signet despite ruling merely as a Persian governor, is significant. It demonstrates that God’s covenant purposes for David’s line continued unbroken even through humbling circumstance.
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