Daily Devotional Monday 10th February 2020
by William Moody
Haggai 2:15–23
15 Now then, consider from this day onward.1 Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, 16 how did you fare? When2 one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”
Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet
20 The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a3 signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.”
Footnotes
[1] 2:15
Or backward; also verse 18
[2] 2:16Probable reading (compare Septuagint); Hebrew Lord, since they were. When
[3] 2:23Hebrew the (ESV)
The Lord speaks of how the previous discipline of being cursed rather than blessed (v15-16) didn’t bring about repentance (v17)
Trials alone don’t change people’s hearts. It is only the grace of God working through His Word that brings about inward transformation.
The people are still waiting on the harvest to come in, but there is now the promise of future blessing (v18-19)in response to the people’s obedience. They need faith in God’s promises as they wait for the harvest.
Zerubbabel the leader and the remnant of Israel, who are surrounded by powerful and often threatening nations, are now reminded about who is in control. (v20-22). Real power doesn’t lie with these nations and their weapons but with the Lord who rules over all.
Zerubbabel in being called the Lord’s signet ring (v23), is being told that through him the authentic action of God will be made known. The world side-lines and scorns God’s people, but for Christ, those whom the Lord has chosen are at the centre of God’s plans.
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