Christ in Haggai

Haggai 1 sets a stalled people in front of a single question that the New Testament will sharpen into a way of life. The temple lies unbuilt while the people finish their own panelled houses, and the LORD answers their excuse not with threat first but with a refrain - Consider your ways (vv. 5, 7) - and a diagnosis of futility: Ye have sown much, and bring in little… and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes (v. 6). A life that puts sel…

Haggai 2 carries one of the great temple-promises of the prophets, and the New Testament hears it fulfilled in a Person rather than in gold. To people weeping that the new house looked like nothing beside Solomon’s, the LORD says, be strong… and work: for I am with you (v. 4), and then lifts the horizon: I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory… The glory of this latter house shall be greater th…