Haggai 2:22
I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their riders; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
I will overturn
The phrase "I will overturn" is a powerful declaration of divine intervention. The Hebrew root word here is "הָפַךְ" (haphak), which means to turn, overthrow, or transform. This indicates a complete reversal of the current order, emphasizing God's sovereignty over earthly powers. Historically, this reflects God's ability to change the course of history, as seen in the fall of empires and the rise of His chosen people. It is a reminder that no earthly power can withstand the will of God.

royal thrones
"Royal thrones" symbolizes the seats of power and authority. In the ancient Near East, thrones were not just physical seats but represented the rule and dominion of kings. The mention of thrones here signifies the political and military powers that God promises to disrupt. This is a reassurance to the Israelites that God is in control and will dismantle oppressive regimes, aligning with the biblical theme of God as the ultimate King.

shatter the power
The word "shatter" comes from the Hebrew "נָפַץ" (napats), meaning to break or smash. This conveys a sense of complete destruction. The "power" refers to the might and influence of the kingdoms. Historically, this reflects the fall of great empires like Babylon and Persia, which were seen as invincible. Theologically, it underscores the futility of human power against divine will.

kingdoms of the nations
"Kingdoms of the nations" refers to the various political entities surrounding Israel. In the context of Haggai, this would include the Persian Empire and other regional powers. The phrase highlights the universal scope of God's authority, not limited to Israel but extending to all nations. It serves as a reminder of God's plan for all humanity and His ultimate justice.

I will overthrow chariots and their riders
Chariots and riders were symbols of military strength and technological advancement in ancient warfare. The Hebrew word for "overthrow" is "הָפַךְ" (haphak), the same as "overturn," emphasizing a complete reversal. This imagery recalls the Exodus narrative, where God overthrew Pharaoh's chariots in the Red Sea, symbolizing deliverance and divine victory over human might.

so that horses and their riders will fall
Horses and riders represent the elite forces of an army. The fall of these signifies the collapse of military power. The imagery is vivid, suggesting chaos and defeat. This serves as a metaphor for the downfall of those who oppose God's people, reinforcing the message that reliance on military might is futile against divine intervention.

each by the sword of his brother
This phrase suggests internal conflict and self-destruction among the enemies of God. It echoes the biblical theme of God using the enemies' own strength against them, as seen in the account of Gideon (Judges 7:22). It highlights the idea that God can bring about victory for His people through unexpected means, often turning the plans of the wicked against themselves.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Haggai
A prophet who ministered to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile, encouraging them to rebuild the temple.

2. Zerubbabel
The governor of Judah and a key leader in the rebuilding of the temple, representing the Davidic line.

3. Royal Thrones
Symbolic of earthly powers and kingdoms that stand in opposition to God's purposes.

4. Foreign Kingdoms
Nations outside of Israel, often seen as adversaries to God's people.

5. Chariots and Riders
Represent military might and human strength, which God promises to overthrow.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all earthly powers and can overturn them according to His will.

The Futility of Human Strength
Human power and military might are ultimately futile against God's purposes.

Encouragement for Believers
Believers can find comfort in knowing that God will ultimately triumph over all opposition.

The Role of Divine Intervention
God's intervention in human history is a reminder of His active presence and power.

Faith in God's Promises
Trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of God overturning royal thrones in Haggai 2:22 encourage you in your current circumstances?

2. In what ways can you see the futility of relying on human strength in your own life, and how can you shift your reliance to God?

3. How does the message of God's sovereignty in Haggai 2:22 connect with the vision in Daniel 2?

4. What are some modern "chariots and riders" that people might rely on today, and how can believers respond to this reliance?

5. How can the assurance of God's ultimate victory over earthly powers influence your daily walk with Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 2
The vision of the statue and the stone that crushes it, symbolizing God's ultimate sovereignty over earthly kingdoms.

Zechariah 4
The message to Zerubbabel that not by might nor by power, but by God's Spirit, will the temple be completed.

Revelation 19
The ultimate defeat of earthly powers at the return of Christ, where He establishes His kingdom.
Terrible RevolutionsHomilistHaggai 2:20-23
Terrible RevolutionsD. Thomas Haggai 2:20-23
The Blessing of CalamitiesJ. C. Hare, M. A.Haggai 2:20-23
The Final MessageT. Whitelaw Haggai 2:20-23
The Safety of God's People Amidst the Coming CommotionsT. V. Moore, D. D.Haggai 2:20-23
People
Darius, Haggai, Jehozadak, Josedech, Joshua, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem
Topics
Brother, Chariots, Destroy, Drivers, Fall, Foreign, Horses, Kingdoms, Nations, Overthrow, Power, Ride, Riders, Royal, Shatter, Strength, Sword, Throne, Thrones
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Haggai 2:22

     4045   chaos
     5127   back
     5252   chariots
     5367   kingdoms
     5581   throne
     5973   unreliability

Haggai 2:20-23

     5366   king

Haggai 2:22-23

     8797   persecution, attitudes

Library
Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Yet this once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land: and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. G od shook the earth when He proclaimed His law to Israel from Sinai. The description, though very simple, presents to our thoughts a scene unspeakably majestic, grand and awful. The mountain was in flames at the top, and
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
By the mouth of His servant Haggai stern rebukes were uttered, and the whole people were aroused. We read in verse twelve of the first chapter, "Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord." All hands were put to the work; course after course of stone began to rise; and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Desire of all Nations
"And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts."--Haggai 2:7. THE second temple was never intended to be as magnificent as the first. The first was to be the embodiment of the full glory of the dispensation of symbols and types, and was soon to pass away. This comparative feebleness had been proved by the idolatry and apostasy of the people Israel, and when they returned to Jerusalem they were to have a structure
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Overturning which is visible on Every Hand.
"I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is" (Ezek. 21:27). In close accord with this prophecy through Ezekiel is the word recorded in Haggai 2:6, 7--"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come." Note carefully the coupling of these two things together--the coming of the Desire
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

His Throat is Most Sweet, Yea, He is Altogether Lovely. This is My Beloved, and this is My Friend, O Daughters of Jerusalem.
The good qualities of ordinary things may be sufficiently well expressed by ordinary phrases of commendation, but there are some subjects so above expression that they can only be worthily admired by declaring them above all praise. Such is the Divine Bridegroom, who, by the excess of His perfections, renders His Bride dumb when she endeavors most worthily to praise Him, that all hearts and minds may be attracted to Him. Her passion causes her to burst out into the praise of some of the excellencies
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

"Wash You, Make You Clean; Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from Before Mine Eyes; Cease to do Evil,"
Isaiah i. 16.--"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil," &c. There are two evils in sin,--one is the nature of it, another the fruit and sad effect of it. In itself it is filthiness, and contrary to God's holiness; an abasing of the immortal soul; a spot in the face of the Lord of the creatures, that hath far debased him under them all. Though it be so unnatural to us, yet it is now in our fallen estate become, as it were, natural, so that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Christian Business World
Scripture references: Proverbs 22:29; Romans 12:11; Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 49:6,10,16,17; 62:10; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23,24; Job 31:24-26; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:14-30; 24:45-51; 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21. THE IDEAL IN THE BUSINESS WORLD There is often a wide difference between the methods actually employed in doing business and when they should be. Good men who are in the thick of the battle of competition and rivalry with other firms in the same line of trade, are the quickest
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Cities of the Levites.
Concerning them, see Numbers, chapter 35, and Joshua chapter 21. "The suburbs of the cities of the Levites were three thousand cubits on every side; viz. from the walls of the city, and outwards; as it is said, 'From the walls of the city and outwards a thousand cubits: and thou shalt measure from without the city two thousand cubits' (Num 35:4,5). The former thousand were the suburbs, and the latter two thousand were for fields and vineyards. They appointed the place of burial to every one of those
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
1. Men either idolatrous, profane, hypocritical, or regenerate. 1. Idolaters void of righteousness, full of unrighteousness, and hence in the sight of God altogether wretched and undone. 2. Still a great difference in the characters of men. This difference manifested. 1. In the gifts of God. 2. In the distinction between honorable and base. 3. In the blessings of he present life. 3. All human virtue, how praiseworthy soever it may appear, is corrupted. 1. By impurity of heart. 2. By the absence of
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free from the Law of Sin and Death. "
Rom. viii. 2.--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." You know there are two principal things in the preceding verse,--the privilege of a Christian, and the property or character of a Christian. He is one that never enters into condemnation; He that believeth shall not perish, John iii. 15. And then he is one that walks not after the flesh, though he be in the flesh, but in a more elevate way above men, after the guiding and leading
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

Haggai
The post-exilic age sharply distinguished itself from the pre-exilic (Zech. i. 4), and nowhere is the difference more obvious than in prophecy. Post-exilic prophecy has little of the literary or moral power of earlier prophecy, but it would be very easy to do less than justice to Haggai. His prophecy is very short; into two chapters is condensed a summary, probably not even in his own words, of no less than four addresses. Meagre as they may seem to us, they produced a great effect on those who heard
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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