Haggai chapter 1
1:1 Darius refers to Darius I (Hystapsis), the ruler of Persia from 521 to 486 B.C. The sixth month was the month of Elul
and roughly coincides with the month of September. Zerubbabel was a descendant of Shealtiel and was the grandson
of Jahoiakim, one of the last kings of Judah prior to the Babylonian captivity. In 1 Chronicles 3:17-19, his father is listed
as Pedaiah, the brother of Shealtiel. One was his physical father and the other an uncle who raised him as his son.
The high priest, Joshua, was the son of Josedech (also known as Jozadak, Ezra 3:2; and as Jehozadak, 1 Chronicles
6:15), who had been the high priest at the Judah was carried captive into Babylon.
1:2-6 Ceiled houses refers to ceilings paneled with fine woods. Such a practice was common for the residences of
kings (1 Kings 7:7; Jeremiah 22:14). In contrast, the Lord's house lay in waste. The command, Consider your ways, is
issued five times throughout the course of this prophecy (verses 5, 7; 2:15, 18). It is a plea on the part of God for the
people to take note of what they are doing, and amend their ways accordingly.
Haggai chapter 2
2:1, 2 The prophet's second message is dated in the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month-about
a month and a half after his receipt of the first message (1:1) and almost a month after the actual building of the
temple had begun (1:15).
2:9 The glory of this latter house refers to Christ's physical presence in the second temple (greatly modified by Herod).
Ezekiel (chapters 10, 11) had earlier witnessed the departure of God's glory from Solomon's temple, prior to it's
destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. Although the builders of the second temple prayed for the shekinah glory to return,
there is no record that it ever did. This prophecy would be fulfilled only in the return of the glory in the embodiment of
Jesus Christ, of whom His disciples said, "And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father"
(John 4:14).
2:10, 11 The prophet's third message was a message of affirmation. This message came about two months after the
message of 2:1-9.
2:12, 13 The people were to ask the priests two questions and, as a result, would learn that holiness is not
communicable (verse 12) while unholiness is communicable (verse 13). The Mosaic system clearly taught that
ceremonial cleanness was not transferable from one person or thing to another, but ceremonial uncleanness was
transferable (Leviticus 6:18; 22:4-6; Numbers 19:11).
2:20, 21a The prophet's fourth message, a message of anticipation, comes on the same date as the previous one.
2:21b-23 Signet ring: This ring used by the owner for the signing of letters and official documents. It was a mark of
such honor and of authority, as Zerubbabel's ministry was to bear. He would carry with him the authority of the Lord,
and would represent Him.