Haggai 2

Jehovah

LORD of hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: Haggai 2:4–5

Jehovah, who covenanted with Israel at the Exodus, promises His continued presence and Spirit to the discouraged builders. The covenant God of the Exodus is the premortal Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Desire of All Nations

Desire of all nations — the One whom all peoples long for

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; Haggai 2:6–9

The LORD promises that 'the desire of all nations shall come' and fill the humble rebuilt temple with glory and peace. Christians have long read this as the Messiah, since the Prince of Peace Himself would be brought to and teach in that temple; Hebrews applies the shaking to the unshakable kingdom He brings.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Hebrews 12:26-27 — 'Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven,' applied to the kingdom that cannot be moved.
• fulfilled by Luke 2:27-32 — Traditional reading: the infant Jesus is brought into the temple and hailed as 'the glory of thy people Israel.'

Zerubbabel, the Chosen Signet

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:23

Zerubbabel, heir of King David and an ancestor of Jesus, is called 'my servant' and made the LORD's signet ring, reversing the curse on his grandfather Coniah. As the chosen Davidic temple-builder he foreshadows Christ, the Servant and Branch who builds the true house of God.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Jeremiah 22:24 — Coniah (Jehoiachin) was plucked off like a signet; here his descendant is restored as the signet.
• a type of what is in Zechariah 6:12 — The BRANCH 'shall build the temple of the LORD.'