Volume III
The Book of the Prophet Haggai.
With John Brown’s marginal references, notes and reflections · Vol. III, p. 1479
The thirteen preceding prophets had flourished before or during the Jews' captivity in Babylon. This and the two following prophesied after their return to Canaan. Haggai began his public work in the sixteenth year after their return; and his scope is to encourage them to proceed in rebuilding the temple of God. He continued prophesying about four months, ch. 1. 1, 15; 2. 1, 10, 20.
[Haggai is generally believed to have been one of the captives that returned with Zerubbabel in consequence of the edict by Cyrus. The building of the temple had been interrupted for about fourteen years, in consequence of the misrepresentation of the neighbouring governors, addressed to the Persian monarch; and, most probably, also from the coldness, doubts, and fears of the people themselves. In the second year of Darius Hystaspes the edict of Cyrus was, however, providentially renewed, and Haggai was divinely commissioned to encourage the rulers, and stir up the zeal and energies of the people. He accordingly reproves their delay, and exhorts them to proceed. Their ready obedience is encouraged by a renewed message from God. He comforts the old men who wept at the diminished magnificence of the second temple, by assuring them of its surpassing glory in the advent of Messiah. He shows how God had smitten the earth with a curse on account of their sins, and promises them fruitful harvests from the day the foundation of the temple was laid; and predicts the prosperity of Messiah's kingdom. Haggai is quoted in the New Testament, Mat. 28. 20; Ro. 8. 31; He. 12. 26. C.]