Haggai 2:18

18 "'Now think ahead from this same date - this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Think ahead from when the Temple rebuilding was launched.

Haggai 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

Haggai 2:18

Consider now from this day and upward
Or forward; for time to come, as the Vulgate Latin version: from the four and twentieth day of the ninth [month];
before observed, ( Haggai 2:10 Haggai 2:15 ) : even from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid,
consider [it];
not from the time it was first laid after their return upon the proclamation of Cyrus, but from the time they began to clear that foundation, and to build upon it; and which having lain so long neglected, the renewal of it is represented as a fresh laying of it: now the prophet, as he had directed them to consider what adversity and calamities had attended them from the time of their neglect unto this time; so he would have them particularly observe what blessings they would enjoy from henceforward; by which it would appear how pleasing it was to the Lord that they had begun and were going on with the building.

Haggai 2:18 In-Context

16 how did it go with you? Isn't it true that your foot-dragging, halfhearted efforts at rebuilding the Temple of God were reflected in a sluggish, halfway return on your crops - half the grain you were used to getting, half the wine?

17 I hit you with drought and blight and hail. Everything you were doing got hit. But it didn't seem to faze you. You continued to ignore me.' God's Decree.

18 "'Now think ahead from this same date - this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Think ahead from when the Temple rebuilding was launched.

19 Has anything in your fields - vine, fig tree, pomegranate, olive tree - failed to flourish? From now on you can count on a blessing.'"

20 God's Message came a second time to Haggai on that most memorable day, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month: