Hag 1:2 | TNotes | STEP | 1:2 Lord of Heaven’s Armies: Haggai’s and Zechariah’s favorite expression for God emphasizes the invincible power behind God’s word. The Lord can call on infinite numbers of heavenly troops to carry out his will at a moment’s notice (2 Kgs 6:17 ; Matt 26:53 ). This thought was intended to encourage the Judeans, who felt helpless and insignificant. • The time has not yet come: Poor crop yields from drought and pestilence had so weakened Judah’s economy (Hag 1:6 , 9-11 ) that the people thought they could not afford to rebuild the Temple. Haggai convinced them they could not afford to leave the Temple in ruins, for God would not bless and prosper them if they did not rebuild the Lord’s house (1:4 , 7-8 ).

b2 Kgs 6:17►

cMatt 26:53►

dHag 1:6►

‏ Haggai 1:2

1:2 ^a Lord of Heaven’s Armies: Haggai’s and Zechariah’s favorite expression for God emphasizes the invincible power behind God’s word. The Lord can call on infinite numbers of heavenly troops to carry out his will at a moment’s notice (2 Kgs 6:17 ^b; Matt 26:53 ^c). This thought was intended to encourage the Judeans, who felt helpless and insignificant.

• The time has not yet come: Poor crop yields from drought and pestilence had so weakened Judah’s economy (Hag 1:6 ^d, 9-11 ^e) that the people thought they could not afford to rebuild the Temple. Haggai convinced them they could not afford to leave the Temple in ruins, for God would not bless and prosper them if they did not rebuild the Lord’s house (1:4 ^f, 7-8 ^g).