Haggai 1:12

The People Obey

12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. So the people feared the LORD.

Haggai 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son
of Josedech the high priest
Here follows an account of the success of Haggai's prophecy; with what power and efficacy the word of the Lord by him was attended; how it at once reached and affected the hearts of princes and people, and brought them to obedience to the will of God. The governor and high priest are mentioned first, as being the principal persons, and who very probably first declared their sense of their former neglect, and their readiness to do as they were directed; which was setting a good example to the people, and doubtless had some influence upon them: with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord
their God;
not the two leading men in church and state only; but all the people that came out of the Babylonish captivity, who were but a remnant; a few that were left through various calamities they had been exposed unto; these, one and all, signified how willing and ready they were to do the work of the Lord enjoined them: or, "they heard the voice of the Lord" ^F3; by the prophet, very attentively and seriously; and received and regarded it, not as the word of men, but as the word of God; and determined to act according to it: and the words of Haggai the prophet;
or, "and for the words of Haggai the prophet" ^F4; because of them, considering them as coming from the Lord himself: as the Lord their God had sent him;
regarding him as having a mission and commission from the Lord to deliver them to them: and the people did fear before the Lord;
perceiving that he was displeased with them for the neglect of his house; and that this drought upon them was a chastisement and correction for this sin; and fearing lest his wrath should continue, and they should be more severely dealt with, on account of their transgressions.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (emvyw) "et audivit", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Burkius.
F4 (ygx yrbd lew) "idque propter verba Chaggai", Varenius, Reinbeck.

Haggai 1:12 In-Context

10 Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops.

11 I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.”

12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. So the people feared the LORD.

13 Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.

14 So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,