Hag 2:1-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Hag 2:1-9: 2:1-9 Haggai’s second message assures the community that God has not forgotten his promises, made by earlier prophets, to bless and restore them (e.g., Isa 35 ; 40:1-11 ; 52:1-12 ; Jer 32:36-44 ; 33:6-26 ). 2:1 on October 17 of that same year: This was the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles, the celebration of the summer harvest (see Lev 23:34-43 ). Hundreds of years earlier, Solomon’s Temple had been dedicated during this festival (1 Kgs 8:2 ). Haggai’s message was timed to offer the people hope and encouragement in their present distress and discouragement.

Summary for Hag 2:1-9: 2:1-9 ^a Haggai’s second message assures the community that God has not forgotten his promises, made by earlier prophets, to bless and restore them (e.g., Isa 35 ^b; 40:1-11 ^c; 52:1-12 ^d; Jer 32:36-44 ^e; 33:6-26 ^f). 2:1 ^g on October 17 of that same year: This was the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles, the celebration of the summer harvest (see Lev 23:34-43 ^h). Hundreds of years earlier, Solomon’s Temple had been dedicated during this festival (1 Kgs 8:2 ⁱ). Haggai’s message was timed to offer the people hope and encouragement in their present distress and discouragement.
2:3 ^j The former splendor belonged to Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6:38 ^k), which some of the older people of Judah had seen in their youth before going into exile in Babylon. They wept when they saw the new foundation laid (Ezra 3:12-13 ^l), because it seemed like nothing at all by comparison.
2:4 ^m But now ... Be strong: This marks a shift from rebuke and challenge to encouragement and affirmation (cp. Josh 1:6-7 ⁿ).
2:5 ^o My Spirit remains among you: See Exod 29:46 ^p; Isa 63:11 ^q; Ezek 36:26-27 ^r.

• just as I promised (literally the word I cut with you): The phrase “cut a covenant” is the Hebrew idiom for making a covenant (see Gen 15:18 ^s; Exod 34:27 ^t). Haggai’s phrase, “cut a word,” is unique in the Old Testament, using language that purposefully creates a connection between his prophecy and God’s covenant relationship with his people. By making this connection, Haggai underscored the continuity of God’s actions in rescuing his people, first from Egypt and then from Babylon (see Ezek 20:33-38 ^u).