The Prophet Haggai

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- Chapter 2 -

In the seventh month on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, and said,

“Speak to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people. Say,

’Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not like nothing in your eyes?

Now, be strong, Zerubbabel!-this is Yahweh’s declaration-and be strong, high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak; and be strong, all you people in the land!-this is Yahweh’s declaration-and work, for I am with you!-this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.

By the promises contained in the covenant that I established with you when you came out of Egypt and my Spirit standing among you, do not fear!

For Yahweh of hosts says this: In a little while I will once again shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land!

I will shake every nation, and every nation will bring their precious things to me, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of hosts.

The silver and gold are mine!-this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.

The glory of this house will be greater in the future than at the beginning, says Yahweh of hosts, and I will give peace in this place!-this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.”

Blessings for a Defiled People

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet and said,

“Yahweh of hosts says this: Ask the priests concerning the law, and say,

‘If a man carries meat that is set apart to Yahweh in the folds of his garment, and if he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any other food with his fold, does that food become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean because of death touches any of these things, do they become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “Yes, they become unclean.”

So Haggai answered and said, “So it is with this people and this nation before me!-this is Yahweh’s declaration-and so it is with everything done by their hands: What they offer to me is unclean.

So now, think in your minds about the past leading up to this very day. Before a stone was laid in the temple of Yahweh,

how was it then? When one came to a heap of grain expecting twenty measures, but there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty measures, but there were only twenty?

I afflicted you and all the work of your hands with blight and mildew, but you still did not turn to me-this is Yahweh’s declaration.

Consider from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of Yahweh’s temple was laid. Consider it!

Is there still seed in the storehouse? The vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not produced! But from this day will I bless you!”

Zerubbabel the LORD’s Signet Ring

Then the word of Yahweh came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month and said,

“Speak to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, and say, ’I will shake the heavens and the earth.

For I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations! I will overthrow the chariots and their riders; the horses and their riders will fall down, each one because of his brother’s sword.

On that day-this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts-I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, as my servant-this is Yahweh’s declaration. I will set you like the seal on my ring, for it is you that I have chosen!-this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts!’”

In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

“Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn’t it in your eyes as nothing?

Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says the LORD of Armies.

This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Don’t be afraid.’

For this is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;

and I will shake all nations. The treasure of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Armies.

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the LORD of Armies.

‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of Armies; ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of Armies.”

Blessings for a Defiled People

In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

“The LORD of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?’” The priests answered, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be unclean?” The priests answered, “It will be unclean.”

Then Haggai answered, “‘So is this people, and so is this nation before me,’ says the LORD; ‘and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.

Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in the LORD’s temple.

Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty.

I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you didn’t turn to me,’ says the LORD.

‘Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider it.

Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven’t produced. From today I will bless you.’”

Zerubbabel the LORD’s Signet Ring

The LORD’s word came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth.

I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.

In that day, says the LORD of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of Armies.”