The Pulpit Commentary — Haggai — Section 37

of the pnrtial fulfilment of the prophecy in its spiritual significance. "Rites and ceremonies retired more into the background; and prayer began to assume its true place in public worship. The religious knowledge of the people was kept up throu~h the regular public reading and distribution of the Scriptures, which were early collected into their present canonical form. Synagogues were established, the people having learnt at Babylon that God's presence might be enjoyed in their assemblies in any place or circumstances, Thus there we.s kept alive throughout the nation a higher e.nd purer type of religion than it had known in the days when the fir~t temple with its outward splendour ancl gorgeous ritual excited the admiration of the people, but too seldom led their thoughts to the contemplation of the truths it expressed and prefigured" (McCundy; see Lange'e 'Commentary on Haggai,' p. 19). Ill. CONSIDER THE 0OMPLETE FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECY IN THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION. The prophecy is Messianic. Underneath its letter there lies a deep spiritual mea.uing. Tbo prophet saw, afar off, the day of Christ, and testified before- hand of the latter-day glory of the Lord and bis Christ. We see its full accomplish- ment: 1. In the shaking of the nations by the power of the Divine Spirit. 2. The consecration by the good of all their gifts and endowments to the service of the Lord. 3. 'rhe realized spiritual presence of God in Christ with his Church, and which con- stitutes her true glory. 4. The inward rest and tranquillity all his people shall experience as his bestowment.-S. D. H. Vers. 4, 5.-The real presence. In contra.sting the house the builders were now raising for God with the first temple, many a reference was doubtless made by the " ancient men " to " the ark of the covenant" and "the Shechinah," which had been the visible symbols of the Divine presence. What, after all, they would urge, could this new structure be without these precious tokens of the Lord, a.s being with them in ,ill his majesty and might? Haggai therefore most appropriately la.id ~eat emphasis upon the glorious fa.et that they hnd with them the spiritual presence of the Lord Most High, who would remain with them, and would faithfully fulfil to them every covenant engagement made with their sires (vers. 4, 5). J. '!'HE GLORIOUS FA0T OF THE REAL PRESENCE OF THE LORD WITH HIS CHURCH. 1. This truth is constantly declared in the oracles of God. 2. It was brought home to the Israelites in the olden times by means of symbolica.l representations. 3. It was impressed upon these returned captives by the raising up of faithful men to declare the Divine will, and to stimulate them to renewed devotion. 4. It is made manifest to us in the Incarnation of God in Christ. Not only will God in very deed dwell with man upon 'the earth, but he has even ta.ken man's nature into union with his own. He has come to us, affecting us not ouly with the glory of his majesty, but revealing to us his very heart, and. unveiling to us the intensity of his infinite love. II. THE INFLUENCE WHICH THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THIS GREAT TRUTH SHOULD EXERT UPON HIS SERVANTS. 1. It should be to them in times of depression the source of strong consolation. "Be strong" (ver. 4); i.e. "Be comforted." 2. It should take from them all craven fear, inspiring them with holy courage: "Fear ye not" (ver. 5). 3. It should impel them to renewed consecrated endeavour: "and work" (ver. 4).- S. D. H. Ver. 7.-God's temple filled with glory. •• And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." I. Vrnw THIS DIVINE PROMISE AS FULFILLED IN THE ADVENT OF CHRIST TO THIS PARTIOULAR SAN0TUARY FOR GoD. 1. Thither the Child Jesus was taken in his inrancy by Joseph and Mary, that they might present him before the Lord. So far as material splendour was concerned, no trace of it was to be seen in this introduction of the Child Jesus to that house. The rich were required to bring a lamb as an offering when they came to present their children thus, but Joseph and Mary were too poor to bring so_ costly an offering, and hence they brought the humbler gift the Law required. But whilst earthly glory was lacking on this occasion, a higher glory was expressed. See those distinguished servants of God I And ns you behold old age gazing with holy joy upon that holpless Babe, reganling him as the Deliverer of Israel, as in irunginntion you witness the one, Simeon, taking tlmt infant form into his arms, exclaiming 36 THE BOOK OF HAGGAI. [on, 11, 1-2/1,