◄ Haggai 2:4 ►
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.
Study Bible
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD.
Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah and a descendant of King David, playing a crucial role in the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile. His leadership was essential in restoring the Jewish community in Jerusalem. The call to "be strong" echoes God's encouragement to leaders like Joshua (Joshua 1:6-9) and King David (1 Chronicles 28:20), emphasizing reliance on divine strength rather than human ability. This phrase underscores the importance of leadership in God's plan and foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, as Zerubbabel is listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:12-13).

Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
Joshua, the high priest, represents the spiritual leadership of the people. His role was vital in re-establishing the religious practices and purity of worship in the newly rebuilt temple. The encouragement to "be strong" highlights the need for spiritual resilience and faithfulness. This phrase connects to Zechariah 3, where Joshua is depicted as a symbol of the coming Branch, a messianic figure, pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD.
The call to strength extends to the entire community, emphasizing collective responsibility and unity in the task of rebuilding. This reflects the communal nature of Israel's covenant relationship with God, where every individual plays a part in fulfilling God's purposes. The phrase resonates with the communal efforts seen in Nehemiah's time (Nehemiah 4:6), where the people worked together to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, symbolizing the restoration of God's people.

Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.
The command to "work" is a call to action, urging the people to continue the physical and spiritual labor of rebuilding the temple. The assurance "For I am with you" is a powerful reminder of God's presence and support, reminiscent of His promises to the patriarchs (Genesis 26:24) and to Moses (Exodus 3:12). The title "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's sovereignty and power over all heavenly and earthly armies, providing confidence that their efforts are under divine protection and guidance. This assurance is fulfilled in the New Testament, where Jesus promises His presence with His followers (Matthew 28:20), reinforcing the continuity of God's faithfulness throughout the biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Haggai
A prophet sent by God to encourage the Israelites to rebuild the temple after their return from Babylonian exile. His messages are direct and aimed at motivating the people to prioritize God's work.

2. Zerubbabel
The governor of Judah and a descendant of David, tasked with leading the rebuilding efforts of the temple. He represents the political leadership of the Jewish community.

3. Joshua
The high priest at the time, working alongside Zerubbabel. He represents the spiritual leadership and is crucial in the religious restoration of the people.

4. The Remnant of the People
The group of Israelites who returned from exile and are responsible for rebuilding the temple. They face discouragement and opposition but are called to be strong and work.

5. The Temple
The central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Its reconstruction is a sign of renewed covenant and commitment to God.
Teaching Points
Strength in Obedience
Haggai 2:4 calls for strength in the face of daunting tasks. The Hebrew word for "be strong" (chazaq) implies a firm resolve. Believers are encouraged to find strength in obedience to God's commands.

Divine Presence and Assurance
The assurance "I am with you" is a powerful reminder of God's presence. This promise, rooted in the covenant relationship, provides comfort and motivation for believers facing challenges.

Community and Leadership
The roles of Zerubbabel and Joshua highlight the importance of both political and spiritual leadership in accomplishing God's purposes. Effective leadership is crucial in guiding communities in faith and action.

Perseverance in God's Work
Despite opposition and discouragement, the call to "work" emphasizes perseverance. Believers are encouraged to remain diligent in their service to God, trusting in His provision and timing.

Faith in Action
The rebuilding of the temple is a tangible expression of faith. Believers are called to translate their faith into action, contributing to the building of God's kingdom in practical ways.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to "be strong" in Haggai 2:4 apply to challenges you face in your personal life or community today?

2. In what ways can the assurance of God's presence ("I am with you") change your perspective on difficult tasks or situations?

3. How do the roles of Zerubbabel and Joshua inform our understanding of the importance of leadership in the church and community?

4. What are some practical ways you can persevere in the work God has called you to, even when facing discouragement or opposition?

5. How can the rebuilding of the temple in Haggai inspire you to contribute to the building of God's kingdom in your own context? Consider connections to other scriptures that emphasize faith in action.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 5-6
These chapters provide historical context to Haggai's prophecy, detailing the challenges and eventual success in rebuilding the temple under Zerubbabel's leadership.

Zechariah 4
This passage complements Haggai's message by emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering Zerubbabel to complete the temple, highlighting the theme of divine assistance.

1 Chronicles 28:20
David's charge to Solomon to be strong and courageous in building the temple parallels Haggai's exhortation, showing a consistent biblical theme of strength in God's work.
Sermons
An Incentive to WorkW. Garrett Horder.Haggai 2:4
Encouraging the PeopleSermons by Monday ClubHaggai 2:4
Encouraging the PeopleD. J. Burrell, D. D.Haggai 2:4
Encouraging the PeopleT. Vincent Tymms.Haggai 2:4
Inspiring AnticipationsT. V. Moore, D. D.Haggai 2:4
The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the ChurchCharles Haddon Spurgeon Haggai 2:4
The Church of the FutureJ. Denney, D. D.Haggai 2:4
God's Message to His People by HaggaiD. Thomas Haggai 2:1-5
Returning Despondency and Renewed StimulusT. Whitelaw Haggai 2:1-9
The Real PresenceT. Whitelaw Haggai 2:4, 5
People
Darius, Haggai, Jehozadak, Josedech, Joshua, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem
Topics
Affirmation, Almighty, Armies, Courage, Declares, Hosts, Jehozadak, Jehoz'adak, Josedech, Joshua, O, Priest, Says, Strong, Yet, Zerubbabel, Zerub'babel
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Haggai 2:4

     2227   Immanuel
     5957   strength, spiritual
     7773   prophets, role
     8162   spiritual vitality

Haggai 2:2-4

     7377   high priest, OT

Library
Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Yet this once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land: and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. G od shook the earth when He proclaimed His law to Israel from Sinai. The description, though very simple, presents to our thoughts a scene unspeakably majestic, grand and awful. The mountain was in flames at the top, and …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
By the mouth of His servant Haggai stern rebukes were uttered, and the whole people were aroused. We read in verse twelve of the first chapter, "Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord." All hands were put to the work; course after course of stone began to rise; and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Desire of all Nations
"And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts."--Haggai 2:7. THE second temple was never intended to be as magnificent as the first. The first was to be the embodiment of the full glory of the dispensation of symbols and types, and was soon to pass away. This comparative feebleness had been proved by the idolatry and apostasy of the people Israel, and when they returned to Jerusalem they were to have a structure …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Overturning which is visible on Every Hand.
"I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is" (Ezek. 21:27). In close accord with this prophecy through Ezekiel is the word recorded in Haggai 2:6, 7--"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come." Note carefully the coupling of these two things together--the coming of the Desire …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

His Throat is Most Sweet, Yea, He is Altogether Lovely. This is My Beloved, and this is My Friend, O Daughters of Jerusalem.
The good qualities of ordinary things may be sufficiently well expressed by ordinary phrases of commendation, but there are some subjects so above expression that they can only be worthily admired by declaring them above all praise. Such is the Divine Bridegroom, who, by the excess of His perfections, renders His Bride dumb when she endeavors most worthily to praise Him, that all hearts and minds may be attracted to Him. Her passion causes her to burst out into the praise of some of the excellencies …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

"Wash You, Make You Clean; Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from Before Mine Eyes; Cease to do Evil,"
Isaiah i. 16.--"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil," &c. There are two evils in sin,--one is the nature of it, another the fruit and sad effect of it. In itself it is filthiness, and contrary to God's holiness; an abasing of the immortal soul; a spot in the face of the Lord of the creatures, that hath far debased him under them all. Though it be so unnatural to us, yet it is now in our fallen estate become, as it were, natural, so that …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Christian Business World
Scripture references: Proverbs 22:29; Romans 12:11; Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 49:6,10,16,17; 62:10; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23,24; Job 31:24-26; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:14-30; 24:45-51; 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21. THE IDEAL IN THE BUSINESS WORLD There is often a wide difference between the methods actually employed in doing business and when they should be. Good men who are in the thick of the battle of competition and rivalry with other firms in the same line of trade, are the quickest …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Cities of the Levites.
Concerning them, see Numbers, chapter 35, and Joshua chapter 21. "The suburbs of the cities of the Levites were three thousand cubits on every side; viz. from the walls of the city, and outwards; as it is said, 'From the walls of the city and outwards a thousand cubits: and thou shalt measure from without the city two thousand cubits' (Num 35:4,5). The former thousand were the suburbs, and the latter two thousand were for fields and vineyards. They appointed the place of burial to every one of those …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
1. Men either idolatrous, profane, hypocritical, or regenerate. 1. Idolaters void of righteousness, full of unrighteousness, and hence in the sight of God altogether wretched and undone. 2. Still a great difference in the characters of men. This difference manifested. 1. In the gifts of God. 2. In the distinction between honorable and base. 3. In the blessings of he present life. 3. All human virtue, how praiseworthy soever it may appear, is corrupted. 1. By impurity of heart. 2. By the absence of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free from the Law of Sin and Death. "
Rom. viii. 2.--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." You know there are two principal things in the preceding verse,--the privilege of a Christian, and the property or character of a Christian. He is one that never enters into condemnation; He that believeth shall not perish, John iii. 15. And then he is one that walks not after the flesh, though he be in the flesh, but in a more elevate way above men, after the guiding and leading …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

Haggai
The post-exilic age sharply distinguished itself from the pre-exilic (Zech. i. 4), and nowhere is the difference more obvious than in prophecy. Post-exilic prophecy has little of the literary or moral power of earlier prophecy, but it would be very easy to do less than justice to Haggai. His prophecy is very short; into two chapters is condensed a summary, probably not even in his own words, of no less than four addresses. Meagre as they may seem to us, they produced a great effect on those who heard …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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