Haggai 1:4
Verse
Context
Sermons
Chuck Smith
J.H. NewmanSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Is it time for you - If the time be not come to rebuild the temple, it cannot be come for you to build yourselves comfortable houses: but ye are rebuilding your houses; why then do ye not rebuild the house of the Lord? The foundation of the temple had been laid fourteen years before, and some considerable progress made in the building; and it had been lying waste in that unfinished state to the present time.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Is it time--It is not time (Hag 1:2), ye say, to build Jehovah's house; yet how is it that ye make it a fit time not only to build, but to "dwell" at ease in your own houses? you, O ye--rather, for "you, you"; the repetition marking the shameful contrast between their concern for themselves, and their unconcern for God [MAURER]. Compare a similar repetition in Sa1 25:24; Zac 7:5. ceiled--rather, "wainscoted," or "paneled," referring to the walls as well as the ceilings; furnished not only with comfort but luxury, in sad contrast to God's house not merely unadorned, but the very walls not raised above the foundations. How different David's feelings (Sa2 7:2)!
John Gill Bible Commentary
Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your panelled houses,.... They could not only find time, leisure, and convenience to build houses to dwell in; but to wainscot them, and line them with boards of cedar, as the Targum; as bad as the times were complained of; and could sit in them, indulging themselves in luxury, ease, and sloth; and why then was it not a fit and convenient time as well to build the house of the Lord in? and this house lie waste? or, "and shall this house lie waste?" or, "when this house lies waste?" (o) not indeed in its rubbish and ruins, as it was demolished by the Chaldeans, and left; but with a bare foundation, laid some years ago; and ever since neglected; the superstructure not carried on, and much less built up to be fit for service; and therefore might be said with propriety to lie waste and desolate, being unfinished, unfit for use, and no regard had unto it. David was of another mind, Sa2 7:2 and truly religious persons will be more concerned for the house of God than for their own houses. (o) "et domus ista deserta manebit?" Drusius; "quum domus haec vasta est?" Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "dum domus haec desolata est?" Cocceius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:4 Why are you? Rhetorical questions in prophetic literature call for agreement rather than a reply (see 2:3). The purpose of this question is to remove the listeners’ opportunity to offer excuses in response to the message. • The luxurious (or covered, paneled) houses of the people contrasted with God’s Temple, which was in ruins (or desolate) and thus unusable.
Haggai 1:4
A Call to Rebuild the Temple
3Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: 4“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Zechariah 4:6
By Chuck Smith0FaithDivine EmpowermentISA 40:29HAG 1:4ZEC 4:6JHN 15:5ACT 1:8ROM 8:311CO 2:52CO 12:9EPH 3:20PHP 4:13Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of relying on God's Spirit rather than human strength when facing daunting tasks, such as rebuilding the temple. He discusses the challenges of outside and inside opposition, highlighting the discouragement that can arise when the task seems impossible. Smith reminds us that true strength comes not from our own resources but from the infinite power of the Holy Spirit. He encourages believers to trust in God's provision for personal and communal challenges, asserting that the church's mission is to shine as a light in a dark world. Ultimately, he calls for a shift in focus from human efforts to divine empowerment.
The Reformed Church
By J.H. Newman0ISA 41:10HAG 1:4HAG 2:5MAL 1:6MAL 2:1MAL 3:8MAL 4:1J.H. Newman preaches on the parallels between the state of the Jews after the captivity and the current state of Christians, emphasizing the decline in zeal, unity, and obedience in the Church. He draws comparisons between the Jewish polity after restoration and the secularization of the Christian Church, highlighting the challenges of the union of Church and State. Newman reflects on prophetic passages from the Prophets after the Captivity, applying them to the present times to shed light on the Church's struggles and trials. He concludes with texts offering hope to true Christians, reminding them of God's enduring presence and the promise of greater glory for the Church despite the current state of unbelief.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Is it time for you - If the time be not come to rebuild the temple, it cannot be come for you to build yourselves comfortable houses: but ye are rebuilding your houses; why then do ye not rebuild the house of the Lord? The foundation of the temple had been laid fourteen years before, and some considerable progress made in the building; and it had been lying waste in that unfinished state to the present time.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Is it time--It is not time (Hag 1:2), ye say, to build Jehovah's house; yet how is it that ye make it a fit time not only to build, but to "dwell" at ease in your own houses? you, O ye--rather, for "you, you"; the repetition marking the shameful contrast between their concern for themselves, and their unconcern for God [MAURER]. Compare a similar repetition in Sa1 25:24; Zac 7:5. ceiled--rather, "wainscoted," or "paneled," referring to the walls as well as the ceilings; furnished not only with comfort but luxury, in sad contrast to God's house not merely unadorned, but the very walls not raised above the foundations. How different David's feelings (Sa2 7:2)!
John Gill Bible Commentary
Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your panelled houses,.... They could not only find time, leisure, and convenience to build houses to dwell in; but to wainscot them, and line them with boards of cedar, as the Targum; as bad as the times were complained of; and could sit in them, indulging themselves in luxury, ease, and sloth; and why then was it not a fit and convenient time as well to build the house of the Lord in? and this house lie waste? or, "and shall this house lie waste?" or, "when this house lies waste?" (o) not indeed in its rubbish and ruins, as it was demolished by the Chaldeans, and left; but with a bare foundation, laid some years ago; and ever since neglected; the superstructure not carried on, and much less built up to be fit for service; and therefore might be said with propriety to lie waste and desolate, being unfinished, unfit for use, and no regard had unto it. David was of another mind, Sa2 7:2 and truly religious persons will be more concerned for the house of God than for their own houses. (o) "et domus ista deserta manebit?" Drusius; "quum domus haec vasta est?" Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "dum domus haec desolata est?" Cocceius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:4 Why are you? Rhetorical questions in prophetic literature call for agreement rather than a reply (see 2:3). The purpose of this question is to remove the listeners’ opportunity to offer excuses in response to the message. • The luxurious (or covered, paneled) houses of the people contrasted with God’s Temple, which was in ruins (or desolate) and thus unusable.