Haggai 2:1-9

We see the trend continue -> the word belongs to God and is delivered through His messenger, to the leaders, and by extension to the remnant

Be Strong (vv. 1-5)

Comparison is the thief of joy, and joy is really important in service of the Lord!

What used to be the pride of a nation was now a pathetic building of a remnant, and that was discouraging

Haggai addressed the elephant in the room, and it was a force powerful enough to stop the work

We cannot compare the work of our hands to others, whether past or present

Look around this building -> does it pale in comparison to the former days? -> is there a point in continuing?

Even so, be strong (x3)! -> and work!

Our strength is not in the present result before our eyes, but faith that God is with us

The fact that God is with us and blessing the work of our hands alleviates all discouragement

He has proven Himself faithful since the beginning, and has no intentions of changing that up (Is. 63:7-14)

With God with us, what confidence could we lack? -> fear not!

Remember that God has never been attracted to big numbers, but willing, working servants

And He is not limited by what was done before -> He can far exceed it!

The Glory of the New Temple (vv. 6-9)

“the Lord of hosts says this” -> their response will either be an acceptance of or rejection of God’s word, not Haggai’s

The shaking of the cosmos and nations has a multifaceted fulfillment

In the immediate sense, it referred to the diverting of funds from the Persians to the remnant (Is. 60:5, Ez. 6:1-12)

All the resources of the world (and the world itself) belongs to the God we serve, so serve Him with confidence!

There is also an eschatological meaning to this prophecy, as referenced in Heb. 12:25-29 concerning our unshakeable kingdom

The glory of the latter shall be greater than that of the former -> It was in that temple, not Solomon’s, that the Lord appeared (Lk. 2:25-39)

The work of their hands was used to do something far beyond serve as some neat architecture!

In that place, there will be peace!

Holistic peace is found where we meet with God, and that is far more important than a pretty building

Be strong, be strong, be strong and work!