Haggai Promises the Temple’s Grandeur
With the enthusiasm inspired by Haggai, the new Temple rose rapidly. Yet it was not possible that these impoverished colonists should erect a structure equal in size and splendor to the former Temple of Solomon. Among the colonists were some few aged folk who had been children before the exile, and who remembered the earlier Temple. These could not forbear from weeping at the contrast; even the leaders, Zerubbabel and the high-priest, were discouraged.
Haggai came forward again, to hearten them. What mattered earthly gorgeousness, he cried, so long as they strove to please the Lord. Was not He able to amend their weaknesses? Was not all the wealth of all the nations in His hands? “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.
“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Then Haggai assured them that the curse was lifted, that prosperity should be theirs, and God would make the house of Zerubbabel great beyond all earthly kings. Thus his brief book ends,
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