2:4Haggai 2:4

Haggai 2:4 commands Zerubbabel the governor of Judah, Joshua the high priest, and all the people of the land to be strong and work on rebuilding the Lord's house, the second Temple.RH Dec 12, 1907+2 It was spoken seventy years after the destruction of the first Temple to builders laboring amid famine, failing supplies, opposition, and murmuring over the inferiority of the new house, whom the Lord strengthened through Haggai and Zechariah with assurance that His word would not fail.PK 577.1–3+2 The reason given is the promise that the Lord of hosts is with them, renewing the covenant presence from the Exodus and assuring that His Spirit remains among them in approval of their work.Ms 116, 1897, par. 17–19+2 The lesser outward splendor was no cause for sorrow, for the second house was declared superior in glory because that glory would come from God's own presence and its special connection with the Messiah, the Desire of nations.RH Dec 12, 1907+2 The same word calls believers today to be strong, to put God's house first by building places of worship promptly and in faith, and to work faithfully trusting that God sustains and works out His purposes through them.Ms 175, 1897, par. 67–69+4

The word is spoken to three parties together: Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and all the people of the land.Ms 116, 1897, par. 17–19+2 Those people are the residue left after exile, the obedient remnant called back to the work.Ms 95, 1902, par. 8+1 To each alike — leader, priest, and people — comes the same command to be strong and work, and the work commanded is the rebuilding of the Lord's house, the second Temple.RH Dec 12, 1907+4 That strength is not self-confidence but courage to continue the temple work because the Lord is with them.RH Dec 12, 1907+3

The command belongs to the building of the second Temple seventy years after the destruction of the first Temple.10MR 123.2 It was given when the former house lay in ruins and a new house was to rise in its place.10MR 123.2

The builders carried on amid hardship and opposition, doing their part while relying on God.PK 577.1–3+1 As they resumed rebuilding they faced famine, failing supplies, waste fields, and active opposition.PK 577.1–3+1 In those conditions some murmured over the inferiority of the second Temple compared with the first.10MR 123.2+1 The Lord strengthened them through His messengers Haggai and Zechariah, assuring them through their words that their faith would be rewarded and His word would not fail.PK 577.1–3+1

The ground of the command to be strong and work is the pledged presence, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.Ms 116, 1897, par. 17–19+3 That pledge renews the covenant presence established when Israel came out of Egypt, assuring Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people that His Spirit still remains among them as He had promised.Ms 116, 1897, par. 17–19+2 This abiding presence is His approval resting upon their work of rebuilding His house.Ms 116, 1897, par. 17–19+1

Because the Lord is with them they are to take courage and not fear but work faithfully.Ms 116, 1897, par. 17–19+2 He will not fail those who trust Him, even when they do not know how He is guiding events, and trust in Him steadies faith through trials as they rely on Him for wisdom and strength.PK 575.4–5+2 They are to do their part while relying on God, carrying on amid hardship and opposition, and this call shows God reaching out to save His people and encouraging their cooperation with His purpose.PK 575.4–5+2 Obedience places them where He can bless them for His name's glory, for His presence is a sure refuge and help, and He acts as their Savior to sustain them and work out His purposes through them.Ms 116, 1897, par. 33–34+2

The lesser outward splendor of the second house was no reason for sorrow, for its greater glory would come from God's presence, not its appearance.RH Dec 12, 1907+1 God declared the second house superior to the former and to surpass it in glory.RH Dec 12, 1907+2 That superiority lay in its connection in a special sense with the Messiah, the promised Desire of nations who would be present there.RH Dec 12, 1907+2

The command to be strong and work makes the house of the Lord a priority, calling for a place of worship for God to be built promptly and in faith rather than hesitating, as an act of honoring Him.Ms 175, 1897, par. 67–69+2 That charge to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel the governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Josedech the high priest, and to the residue of the people is a parable showing what God endorses.Ms 95, 1902, par. 8 It applies directly to going forward with meeting-house building work and to building a church for a school community, with the assurance to the obedient remnant that the Lord is with them as His approval of their work.Ms 175, 1897, par. 67–69+2 Because the history is repeated, their rebuilding work becomes a lesson for the present.Ms 95, 1902, par. 8+1

The same assurance that God is with His workers calls Christians to be strong and faithful in their work, because He acts as their Savior and sustains them.PK 576.1+1 Trust in God steadies faith through trials even when they do not know how He is guiding events, for He will not fail those who trust Him.PK 576.1+1 They can therefore rely on Him as their wisdom and strength as He works out His purposes through them, and they need not fear.PK 576.1+1