Wesley Corpus

Chapter II Haggai assures the builders, that the glory of this house should exceed the glory of the former, ver. 1 - 9. That God would bless them and give them success, ver. 10 - 19. That he would peculiarly bless Zerubbabel, ver. 20 - 23. That saw - Near fourscore years ago. This house - The temple built by Solomon. My spirit - Of strength and courage, of wisdom and understanding. Yet once - After many confirmations of the new covenant, one more, remains to be made. A little while - Tho' above five hundred years, yet this was but a little time compared with that between the promise to Adam and Christ's coming. I will shake - Whether it be metaphorical or literal, it was verified at the time of Christ's coming into the world. After the return of the captivity, by the commotions among the Grecians, Persians, and Romans, which began soon after this time; this was metaphorically fulfilled. And it was literally fulfilled by prodigies and earthquakes, at the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ. All nations - Which was literally fulfilled in the overthrow of the Persian monarchy by the Grecians, in the civil wars, and succeeding troubles among Alexander's successors, the growth of the Roman power by subduing their neighbours, and their dissentions and home - bred wars. The desire - Christ the most desirable, to all nations, and who was desired by all that knew their own misery, and his sufficiency to save them who was to be the light of the Gentiles, as well as the glory of his people Israel. With glory - The first temple had a glory in its magnificent structure, rich ornaments, and costly sacrifices; but this was a worldly glory; that which is here promised, is a heavenly glory from the presence of Christ in it. He that was the brightness of his father's glory, who is the glory of the church, appeared in this second temple. The silver - The treasures of both: doubt not therefore but I will give enough to build this house. In this place - In my house, a type of Christ. Peace - A spiritual, internal, and heavenly peace. Concerning the law - What the law saith in this case. Holy flesh - Part of the sacrifice, legally sanctified, or made holy by the altar on which the whole was sanctified.