(REFLECTIONS ON Haggai 2:1-23)

3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?

There were those that had witnessed the temple built by Solomon in all its’ glory. What they saw now, paled in comparison to what was before.

However, their hope wasn’t in rebuilding the temple to even greater beauty and architectural glory, but when the Lord says, “the latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ the Lord declares that it is His work that will bring greater glory to the new temple.

Yes, those that saw the old and now see the current circumstances of the rebuilding temple may be disappointed if they fix their eyes on the structure, but the Lord wants them to have faith in Him and His works, and not in a structure.

4 ‘But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts.

All are to take courage in the Lord, not fixing their eyes on what they see before them, but putting their hope in the Lord. They are to move forward with courage and boldness not based on circumstances or the current environment, but because of God’s promise from when He delivered Israel from Egypt, “My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!“

If His people return to Him, and not just to a place, to a physical temple, but remove the sin and idol worship from their hearts, then the Lord’s blessing will be upon them. The emphasis is on the Lord’s declaration of blessing, however, rather than just the successful return of His people.

This is the Lord’s promise for Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people. However, what is to prevent them from once again worshiping the glory of the temple rather than God Himself? And that is where we need to go beyond the message that Haggai proclaimed to the Jews.

We know that there is only spiritual failure when we place our hope in our own ability to return to the Lord, take courage, and do the will of God. We know that because this is what has happened throughout church history, and we personally experience it within our own church and life of faith as well.

So if the call for us to take courage in it of itself leaves us feeling helpless rather than hopeful, then let us consider the Lord’s full message to the Jews. He said, “My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!“

Yes, take courage may seem impossible for us because without God’s Spirit we will continue to live in fear. However, when we take courage because “My Spirit is abiding in your midst,” then there is nothing for us to fear. That is because it isn’t based on ourselves, but His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the how, and Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Let us then meditate on the Lord’s words through Haggai the prophet from within Christ and by the Holy Spirit, and may that remove our fear!

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Haggai 2