Matthew Henry on Haggai 2:1-9

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Those who are hearty in the Lord's service shall receive encouragement to proceed. But they could not build such a temple then, as Solomon 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 among them shortly; “He that should come.” Convulsions and changes would take place in the Jewish church and state, but first should come great 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 and desired by all believers. The house they were building should be filled 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 latter house shall be greater than that of the former, in what would be beyond 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.

Nothing but the presence of the Son of God, in human form and nature, could 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 under the latter temple had much trouble; but this promise is fulfilled in that spiritual peace which Jesus Christ has by his blood purchased for all believers.

All changes shall make way for Christ to be desired and valued by all nations. And the Jews shall have their eyes opened to behold how precious He is, whom they have hitherto rejected.

More for Haggai 2:1-9

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Glory of the Latter House. (b. c. 520.)Haggai 2:1-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE. (B. C. 520.) Here is, I. The date of this message, Haggai 2:1. It was sent on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, when the builders had been about a month at work (since the twenty-…The Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-23Haggai 2:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-9Haggai 2:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryPart II. THE SECOND ADDRESS: THE GLORY OF THE NEW TEMPLE. Haggai 2:1-5—§ 1. The prophet comforts whose who grieve at the comparative poverty of the new building with the assurance of the Divine protection and favour.The Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1Haggai 2:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryIn the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month. The seventh month is Ethanim or Tisri, answering to parts of September and Ootober. The twenty-first was the last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacle…The Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-9Haggai 2:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryReturning despondency and renewed stimulus. In these verses we have the third of the earnest addresses delivered by the devoted seer to these temple fbuilders. In the first (Haggai 1:3-11) he reproved them for their neg…The Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-5Haggai 2:1-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod's message to his people by Haggai. "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Governor of…

commentaryThe Glory of the Latter House. (b. c. 520.)THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE. (B. C. 520.) Here is, I. The date of this message, Haggai 2:1. It was sent on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, when the builders had been about a month at work (since the twenty-…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-9Returning despondency and renewed stimulus. In these verses we have the third of the earnest addresses delivered by the devoted seer to these temple fbuilders. In the first (Haggai 1:3-11) he reproved them for their neg…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-9Part II. THE SECOND ADDRESS: THE GLORY OF THE NEW TEMPLE. Haggai 2:1-5—§ 1. The prophet comforts whose who grieve at the comparative poverty of the new building with the assurance of the Divine protection and favour.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-5God's message to his people by Haggai. "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Governor of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1-23EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:1In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month. The seventh month is Ethanim or Tisri, answering to parts of September and Ootober. The twenty-first was the last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacle…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:2Speak now to Zerubbabel. The message is addressed to the heads of the nation, temporal and spiritual, and to all the people who had returned (see notes on Haggai 1:1 and Haggai 1:12).Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Haggai 2:3-5Past and present. I. A SUGGESTION—Of the continuity of human history. Haggai's question assumes that the structure then erecting was not a new edifice (which it really was), but the old building set up again, though in…Joseph S. Exell and contributors