Class 2 “The Book of Haggai: The Glory Will Be Greater” Haggai 2:1-9
Season 2, Sep 16, 2022, 01:00 AM
Chapter 2:1-9
1. The Call to Reflect
– Haggai 2:2
– ‘remnant’ – the temple remnants are the setting for the address to the national remnant. Third mention of remnant, 1:12, 14.
– We notice all parts of the community are addressed.
– Haggai 2:3
– Three questions, all driving at the heart of their discouragement.
– ‘Who of you’; ‘How does it’; ‘Does it not’?
– Former glory; now; nothing?
– What was it like; what is it like; what is its future?
– What does it’s current state mean?
– Not all were old enough to remember, but some were, and may have been the most influential. If, when comparing the old temple with the smaller new one they were dejected, it is understandable.
– Perhaps he was one of those who was old enough to remember. It would lend weight to his question. Jewish tradition makes him old (1 Rabbi Eli Cashdan, The Twelve Prophets (Soncino Press, 1948), p. 254.).
– Now 520, destruction 586 – 66 years previously
– Had the work begun to lose momentum?
– How optimistic (faithful) are you about the future of the church?
2. The Call to Courage
– Haggai 2:4
– ‘but now’ – implies the ability to make a decision, as well as the need to do so.
– ‘but’ is a statement of faith. It does not matter what the past was like, how you feel about it, what you think it all signifies – what matters is what decision you make here and now as confronted with the word from God.
– ‘be strong’ – Joshua 1:5-9. A time of a new beginning, with a new leader who had not the same pedigree as the former.
– Used 3 times – all parts of the community need to make the same decision. Implies that if one or two segments get on board, the other or others will derail the situation.
– Implies strength is a decision
– Implies they knew what it would look like to be ‘strong’ in their context. I.e. the actions that would follow from the decision to ‘be strong’.
– If God were to say to me, perhaps through another person, ‘be strong’, would I know what that meant?
– ‘people of the land’ – not Jerusalem. Is this a reminder of the land promise God gave them through Moses and a former ‘Joshua’?
– ‘work. For I am with you’ – ties together tightly the activity and the support.
– Haggai 2:5
– ‘Spirit remains’ – as in ‘abides’, or as in ‘you might have thought I had abandoned you, but I am still with you despite your rebellion and apparent realities’?
– ‘do not fear’ – fear of the king reversing his decisions? Fear of standing out by finishing the temple?
– God believes in us when we do not believe in ourselves.
– How much more we can trust God’s presence with us as we work for him, Jn 14:23
3. The Call to Trust
– Haggai 2:6
– ‘in a little while’ – “The expression occurs frequently in eschatological passages (cf Ps 37:10; Isa 10:25; Jer 51:33; Hos 1:4; John 14:19; 16:16, 19; Heb 12:26).” WBC
– Haggai expects God to intervene in the near future.
– Haggai 2:7
– ‘what is desired’ – is this Messianic? Or, is it a reference to wealth. What the nations value (gold etc, v8) will come into the temple as it did in the time of Solomon.
– ‘fill this house’ – with the treasures of the Gentiles. Is this an indication of the inclusion of the Gentiles, or of the triumph of Israel over the Gentiles?
– God is saying he will rearrange the old order of things. Ultimately that come when Jesus entered the temple, cleansed it and brought the living water and powerful truth that would change the world.
– Haggai 2:8
– ‘gold…silver’ – Von Rad sees such wealth as on loan to humankind, but rightfully belonging to him. At some point he will reclaim full ownership.
– Haggai 2:9
– ‘glory’ here and v7 sandwich the mention that God owns the silver and gold.
– ‘greater’ – in God’s definition of greater.
– If we keep working for God the future will be better than the present.
– ‘house’ – “two other similar passages in which the temple plays a leading role in relationship to the nations in the eschaton (Isa 2:2–4 and Isa 60:1–22).” WBC
– ‘grant peace’ – Maybe they are also afraid that their delays in rebuilding the temple have angered God. They know how God dealt with the desert rebellions and the idolatry of their past. Are they worried he will not forgive? The promise of peace could be a relational peace more than a political or social one.
Conclusion
– Reflect; Courage; Trust
– God always has a vision
– It becoming reality does not depend on our talent level, but on our willingness to act courageously in full trust of God
For reflection:
1. Could you take some time to reflect on how the work for God is going where you are?
2. Are there any areas where fear is holding you or your group back from building something that would glorify God?
3. Do you truly believe that the future will be more glorious than the past?
Next time Hagg 2:10-19.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
God bless, Malcolm
1. The Call to Reflect
– Haggai 2:2
– ‘remnant’ – the temple remnants are the setting for the address to the national remnant. Third mention of remnant, 1:12, 14.
– We notice all parts of the community are addressed.
– Haggai 2:3
– Three questions, all driving at the heart of their discouragement.
– ‘Who of you’; ‘How does it’; ‘Does it not’?
– Former glory; now; nothing?
– What was it like; what is it like; what is its future?
– What does it’s current state mean?
– Not all were old enough to remember, but some were, and may have been the most influential. If, when comparing the old temple with the smaller new one they were dejected, it is understandable.
– Perhaps he was one of those who was old enough to remember. It would lend weight to his question. Jewish tradition makes him old (1 Rabbi Eli Cashdan, The Twelve Prophets (Soncino Press, 1948), p. 254.).
– Now 520, destruction 586 – 66 years previously
– Had the work begun to lose momentum?
– How optimistic (faithful) are you about the future of the church?
2. The Call to Courage
– Haggai 2:4
– ‘but now’ – implies the ability to make a decision, as well as the need to do so.
– ‘but’ is a statement of faith. It does not matter what the past was like, how you feel about it, what you think it all signifies – what matters is what decision you make here and now as confronted with the word from God.
– ‘be strong’ – Joshua 1:5-9. A time of a new beginning, with a new leader who had not the same pedigree as the former.
– Used 3 times – all parts of the community need to make the same decision. Implies that if one or two segments get on board, the other or others will derail the situation.
– Implies strength is a decision
– Implies they knew what it would look like to be ‘strong’ in their context. I.e. the actions that would follow from the decision to ‘be strong’.
– If God were to say to me, perhaps through another person, ‘be strong’, would I know what that meant?
– ‘people of the land’ – not Jerusalem. Is this a reminder of the land promise God gave them through Moses and a former ‘Joshua’?
– ‘work. For I am with you’ – ties together tightly the activity and the support.
– Haggai 2:5
– ‘Spirit remains’ – as in ‘abides’, or as in ‘you might have thought I had abandoned you, but I am still with you despite your rebellion and apparent realities’?
– ‘do not fear’ – fear of the king reversing his decisions? Fear of standing out by finishing the temple?
– God believes in us when we do not believe in ourselves.
– How much more we can trust God’s presence with us as we work for him, Jn 14:23
3. The Call to Trust
– Haggai 2:6
– ‘in a little while’ – “The expression occurs frequently in eschatological passages (cf Ps 37:10; Isa 10:25; Jer 51:33; Hos 1:4; John 14:19; 16:16, 19; Heb 12:26).” WBC
– Haggai expects God to intervene in the near future.
– Haggai 2:7
– ‘what is desired’ – is this Messianic? Or, is it a reference to wealth. What the nations value (gold etc, v8) will come into the temple as it did in the time of Solomon.
– ‘fill this house’ – with the treasures of the Gentiles. Is this an indication of the inclusion of the Gentiles, or of the triumph of Israel over the Gentiles?
– God is saying he will rearrange the old order of things. Ultimately that come when Jesus entered the temple, cleansed it and brought the living water and powerful truth that would change the world.
– Haggai 2:8
– ‘gold…silver’ – Von Rad sees such wealth as on loan to humankind, but rightfully belonging to him. At some point he will reclaim full ownership.
– Haggai 2:9
– ‘glory’ here and v7 sandwich the mention that God owns the silver and gold.
– ‘greater’ – in God’s definition of greater.
– If we keep working for God the future will be better than the present.
– ‘house’ – “two other similar passages in which the temple plays a leading role in relationship to the nations in the eschaton (Isa 2:2–4 and Isa 60:1–22).” WBC
– ‘grant peace’ – Maybe they are also afraid that their delays in rebuilding the temple have angered God. They know how God dealt with the desert rebellions and the idolatry of their past. Are they worried he will not forgive? The promise of peace could be a relational peace more than a political or social one.
Conclusion
– Reflect; Courage; Trust
– God always has a vision
– It becoming reality does not depend on our talent level, but on our willingness to act courageously in full trust of God
For reflection:
1. Could you take some time to reflect on how the work for God is going where you are?
2. Are there any areas where fear is holding you or your group back from building something that would glorify God?
3. Do you truly believe that the future will be more glorious than the past?
Next time Hagg 2:10-19.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
God bless, Malcolm