Haggai 1:12

12 Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and the high priest Jeshua, the son of Jehozadak, obeyed the LORD their God. So did all of the LORD's people who were still left alive. He had given his message to them through me. He had sent me to speak to them. And the people had respect for him.

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 "So because of what you have done, the heavens have held back the dew. And the earth has not produced its crops.

11 I ordered the rain not to fall on the fields and mountains. Then the ground did not produce any grain. There were not enough grapes to make fresh wine. The trees did not bear enough olives to make oil. People and cattle suffered. All of your hard work failed."

12 Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and the high priest Jeshua, the son of Jehozadak, obeyed the LORD their God. So did all of the LORD's people who were still left alive. He had given his message to them through me. He had sent me to speak to them. And the people had respect for him.

13 I was the LORD's messenger. So I gave his message to the people. I told them, "The LORD announces, 'I am with you.' "

14 So the LORD stirred up the spirits of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and the high priest Jeshua. He also stirred up the rest of the people to help them. Then everyone began to work on the temple of the LORD who rules over all. He is their God.