Vere, 20-23.-Tlie final message. We gather from this last recorded message of this prophet, ai;id addressed to Zerubbabel~ I. THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF JUDGING RESPE0TING THE FUTURE FRO.Ill PRESENT APPEARANCES. The seer referred to coming commotions and upbeavings in national life (vers. 21, 22); but at the time he gave utterance to these intimations all was peace and tranquillity. Rawlinson refers to the Persian empire as spreading over two millions of square miles, or more than half of modem Europe, and this vast power was : at this time unassailed. In the opening vision of Zechariah, having reference to this time, the representation made was, "Behold, ail the earth sitteth still, and is at rest" (Zech. i. 11). We cannot forecast the future; we know not what a day may bring forth. II. THE RECOGNITION OF GOD IN THE OVERTHROW OF NATIONS. Repeatedly in vers. 21, 22, the Most High refers to his own action in the convulsions and revolutions to take place. "I will shake,,, etc. Whilst civil broils and contentions and military conflicts contribute to the effecting of such desolation, these are but agents uncon- sciously fulfilling the Divine behests. "The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth; •· "He changeth the times and the seasons: he remo,veth kings and setteth up kings" (Dan. ii. 21); "'l'his is the finger of God." III. 'l'IlE BEOURITY AMIDST ALL THESE CHANGES OF SUCH AS ARE TRULY CONSE- 0UATED TO THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. (Ver. 23.) The siguet-ring was a precious token. It was worn by the Eastern prince on one of the th,gers of his right band, and was prized by him above 111! thiugs. 'L'he symbol, 11s used here, suggests th,it Zerub- babel the priuce, who had so faithfully fulfilled his trust, should be loved aud cared 40 THE BOOK OF HAGGAI.
for by God; that the Lord would cherish him even as the signet-ting was cherished by its owner. Zerubbabel is regarded by some as a symbolic11.l character, as typical of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who was to come ; and such regard this assurance addresaed t.o him as having its application to the Messiah, and aa setting forth the Divine Father's delight in him. The emblem may be still further extended in its application. All true and loyal hearts are cared for by him as his chosen ones, and he will preserve them unto his everlasting kingdom.--S. D. H. Vers. 1--5.-God's message to his people by Haggai. "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 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," etc. Here is the second Divine message addressed by,Haggai to Zerubbabel, Joshua., and the residue of the people. Observe: 1. The Divine message often comes from one man to many. It now came by Haggai. 2. .All temples but the temple of natullB are to be built by man himself. God could have studded the world with temples; but he has honoured human nature by leaving it to men to do. 3. Any postponement of duty is opposed to the will of God. All duty requires the utmost promptitude. The Jews were now dallying with duty. The subject of these verses is-God requires human lahctt,r purely for religious o'bjects. We have to labour for many things.;_for material subsistence, for intellectual culture and scientific information, but in all for a religion. 'l'rue labour in every form sh:mld be religious. Whatsoever we do in word or deed, we should do all to the glory of God. Three thoughts are here suggested in relation to this subject- !. THAT THIS LA.BOOB SHOULD BE STl:MULA.TED BY THE VIEW' OF 'RELIGIOUS DECADENCE. The temple, once the glory of the country, was now in ruins, etc. "Who is left among yon that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now?" Into what a low state has genuine religion sunk in our country I It is cold, formal, worldly, conventional ·' Il. THAT TllIS LA.BOUR SHOULD BE PEBFOBMED BY THE MOST VIGOROUS EXERTION, " Be strong, 0 Zerubba.bel, ... be strong, 0 Joshua, ... be strong, all ye people of the land." All the powers of our nature should be concentrated in this work, the work of resuscitation. Why? 1. Because it is right, and therefore you may throw your conscience into it. 2. Because it is worthy of all yonr faculties. Co.II out and honour all the faculties of your nature. 3. Because it is urgent. The highest interests of your countrymen and your race depend upon it. . Ill. THIS LABOUB SHOULD ENLIST THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL. All are called upon here to work. The men in office, and the people. All should unite in this work. It concerm all-young and old, rich and poor. The energies of all should be enlisted in this grand work of religious revival. . IV. Tms LABOtra HAS A GUARA1'"TEE OF DIVINE ASSISTllT0E. "For I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts," etc. Those who are engaged in this work are labourers together with God. He is with them, inspiring, directing, encouraging, energizing. Christ says to his disciples, "Lo, I am with you alway,_ even unto the end of. th~ warld."-D. T. Vers. 6-9.-The moral progress of the world. C< Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the Bila; and the dry land," etc. Humanity is undoubtedly progressing in certajn directions....:..in secular information, in scientific discoveries, in useful and ornamental arts, in tl:ie extension of commerce, in the principles oflegislation. But whether it is progressing in moral excellence is undoubtedly questionable, and yet there is no real progress without this. 'l'he real progress of man is the progress of moral goodness. Three thoughts are suuuested by the passa"e in relation to this moral progress. 't IT nEQUIREB GRElT socIAL REVOLUTIONS AMONGST MANKIND. "Thus saith the Lurd of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the tmrth and the sea, and the dry land." Perhaps the primary reference here is to the dtiau~es which were io be effected in the Jewish system and commonwealth, prc1Jaratc;ry to the Christian dispensation. Judaism was, as we know, shaken to it11 oe. 11. 1-23.] THE BOOK OF HAGGAI. 41