Haggai 2:1-9
Chapter 2
Second Oracle
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, in the second year of Darius’s reign, this message from the Lord was delivered through the prophet Haggai:“Give this message to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the high priest, and to all the people.
Is there anyone among you who saw this house long ago, in its days of glory? What do they think of what they see now? Is it not a very small thing?
But I tell you, Zerubbabel, Joshua, and my people: do not be discouraged. Start working, for I am with you, says the Lord.
Do not be afraid, for my Spirit is in your midst.
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Within a short while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the continents.
Then I will shake all the nations, and bring in the treasures of the whole world. I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord.
I will have as much silver and gold as I wish.
The renown of this temple will be greater than before, and in this place, I will give peace,” says the Lord of hosts.
Commentaries
Second Oracle.
When the people and their leaders set out to rebuild the temple, the Lord assures them of his presence in this task (4). Although this second temple is very humble and cannot be compared to the previous one (3), what matters is that God will fill it with his glory and draw the riches of the nations to it (9). In this way, the prophet opens the door to the messianic times when God’s salvation will be offered to all peoples.