Is there still seed in the barn? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet yielded fruit. But from this day on, I will bless you." Is the seed still in the barn?This phrase challenges the people of Israel to reflect on their current state of readiness and faith. The Hebrew word for "seed" (זֶרַע, zera) often symbolizes potential and future growth. In the context of Haggai, it represents the resources and blessings that God has provided, which are yet to be utilized. The "barn" (מְגוּרָה, megurah) signifies a place of storage, suggesting that the people have not yet sown their seeds, both literally and spiritually. This rhetorical question prompts the Israelites to consider their inactivity and lack of faith in God's promises. As yet, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit These specific plants—vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree—are emblematic of the agricultural abundance and prosperity in ancient Israel. Each has its own significance: the vine (גֶּפֶן, gephen) represents joy and celebration, the fig tree (תְּאֵנָה, te'enah) symbolizes peace and security, the pomegranate (רִמּוֹן, rimmon) is a symbol of fertility and blessing, and the olive tree (זַיִת, zayit) stands for endurance and divine favor. The fact that these have "not yielded fruit" indicates a period of barrenness and unfulfilled potential, reflecting the spiritual and physical state of the people before they turn back to God. But from this day on I will bless you This promise marks a pivotal moment of divine intervention and assurance. The phrase "from this day on" signifies a turning point, a new beginning initiated by God’s grace. The Hebrew word for "bless" (בָּרַךְ, barak) conveys the idea of bestowing favor and prosperity. This assurance from God is not contingent on the people's past failures but is a forward-looking promise of restoration and abundance. It underscores the theme of hope and renewal, encouraging the Israelites to trust in God's faithfulness and to act in obedience, knowing that His blessings are forthcoming. This promise serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His desire to bless His people when they align themselves with His will. Persons / Places / Events 1. HaggaiA prophet who delivered God's messages to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile, encouraging them to rebuild the temple. 2. The Remnant of IsraelThe group of Jews who returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. 3. The Temple in JerusalemThe central place of worship for the Jewish people, which was in the process of being rebuilt during Haggai's ministry. 4. The Vine, Fig Tree, Pomegranate, and Olive TreeSymbolic representations of agricultural prosperity and blessing in Israel. 5. The Promise of BlessingGod's assurance of future prosperity and blessing contingent upon the people's obedience and faithfulness. Teaching Points Obedience Precedes BlessingGod's promise of blessing is often contingent upon our obedience and faithfulness. Just as the Israelites were called to prioritize the rebuilding of the temple, we are called to prioritize God's kingdom in our lives. Faith in God's TimingThe promise of future blessing requires faith and patience. We may not see immediate results, but God is faithful to fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. Symbolism of FruitfulnessThe mention of the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree symbolizes not only physical prosperity but also spiritual fruitfulness. We are called to bear spiritual fruit in our lives as evidence of God's work in us. God's AssuranceDespite current circumstances, God assures His people of His blessing. This assurance should encourage us to trust in His provision and remain steadfast in our commitments to Him. Renewal and RestorationThe context of Haggai's message is one of renewal and restoration. God is in the business of restoring what is broken, and He invites us to participate in His redemptive work. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the context of Haggai 2:19 help us understand the importance of prioritizing God's work in our lives today? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate obedience to God in our daily lives, and how might this lead to His blessings? 3. How can we cultivate patience and faith as we wait for God's promises to be fulfilled in our lives? 4. What are some areas in your life where you need to trust in God's timing and assurance of blessing? 5. How can the symbolism of fruitfulness in Haggai 2:19 inspire us to pursue spiritual growth and maturity? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for understanding the conditional nature of God's promises. Zechariah 8Another post-exilic prophet who speaks of future blessings and prosperity for Jerusalem, reinforcing the theme of restoration. Matthew 6:33Jesus' teaching on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, which aligns with the principle of prioritizing God's work to receive His blessings. Galatians 6:9Encouragement to not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up, echoing the promise of future blessings. James 5:7-8The call to be patient like a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, which parallels the anticipation of God's blessings. People Darius, Haggai, Jehozadak, Josedech, Joshua, Shealtiel, ZerubbabelPlaces Egypt, JerusalemTopics Barn, Bless, Blessing, Borne, Fig, Fig-tree, Forth, Fruit, Haven't, Hitherto, Including, Nothing, Olive, Olive-tree, Pomegranate, Seed, Store-house, Tree, Vine, Yea, Yes, Yet, YieldDictionary of Bible Themes Haggai 2:19 4440 fig-tree 4450 fruit 4492 olive 4534 vine 8845 unfruitfulness Haggai 2:15-19 5224 barn 8479 self-examination, examples 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 ScriptureThe 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 Links Haggai 2:19 NIVHaggai 2:19 NLTHaggai 2:19 ESVHaggai 2:19 NASBHaggai 2:19 KJV
Haggai 2:19 Commentaries
Bible Hub |