John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. In the seventh [month] , etc.] The month Tisri, which answers to part of September and part of October: in the one and twentieth [day] of the month ; being a month, wanting three days, from the time the Jews came and worked in the house of the Lord, ( Haggai 1:14,15) it was toward the close of the feast of tabernacles: (see Leviticus 23:34): came the word of the Lord by the Prophet Haggai ; the word of prophecy, as the Targum: this was from the Lord, not from the prophet himself; he was only the messenger sent with it to deliver it: saying ; to him the prophet, giving him orders as follow:
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Those who are hearty in the Lord's service shall receive encouragemen to proceed. But they could not build such a temple then, as Solomo built. Though our gracious God is pleased if we do as well as we can in his service, yet our proud hearts will scarcely let us be pleased unless we do as well as others, whose abilities are far beyond ours Encouragement is given the Jews to go on in the work notwithstanding They have God with them, his Spirit and his special presence. Though he chastens their transgressions, his faithfulness does not fail. The Spirit still remained among them. And they shall have the Messiah amon them shortly; "He that should come." Convulsions and changes would tak place in the Jewish church and state, but first should come grea revolutions and commotions among the nations. He shall come, as the Desire of all nations; desirable to all nations, for in him shall all the earth be blessed with the best of blessings; long expected an desired by all believers. The house they were building should be fille with glory, very far beyond Solomon's temple. This house shall be filled with glory of another nature. If we have silver and gold, we must serve and honour God with it, for the property is his. If we have not silver and gold, we must honour him with such as we have, and he will accept us. Let them be comforted that the glory of this latte house shall be greater than that of the former, in what would be beyon all the glories of the first house, the presence of the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord of glory, personally, and in human nature. Nothin but the presence of the Son of God, in human form and nature, coul fulfil this. Jesus is the Christ, is He that should come, and we are to look for no other. This prophecy alone is enough to silence the Jews and condemn their obstinate rejection of Him, concerning whom all their prophets spake. If God be with us, peace is with us. But the Jews unde the latter temple had much trouble; but this promise is fulfilled is that spiritual peace which Jesus Christ has by his blood purchased for all believers. All changes shall make way for Christ to be desired an valued by all nations. And the Jews shall have their eyes opened to behold how precious He is, whom they have hitherto rejected.
Original Hebrew בשׁביעי7637 בעשׂרים6242 ואחד259 לחדשׁ2320 היה1961 דבר1697 יהוה3068 ביד3027 חגי2292 הנביא5030 לאמר׃559
