The hope that gives perspective on the present (Hag 2:20-23)

In my twenties, I was a volunteer for a year with a Christian mission for international students in the UK and had the hope of this ministry leading on to a long-term role. However, the door promisingly open at the start of the year closed firmly by its end and I felt disappointed. Before I left, I went into Barclay’s to close my bank account thinking that otherwise I would have to pay maintenance fees. However, the clerk suggested that if there was any chance of my returning to the UK, I should keep the account, as it would cost me nothing, and opening a new one would be more hassle. I felt God encouraging me then that this was not the end and, as I walked out of the building, my heart lifted with hope: perhaps I would be back. In the following months in Hungary, I sometimes thought of that open bank account with anticipation and took heart. Indeed, two years later, I was in London starting my theological studies.

God’s response for the present and the future

We need hope to persevere when prospects look bleak, and this is what God gives the exiles. Haggai pronounces two prophecies on the day that the temple foundations are laid and the relationship with God is on the mend (Hag 2:18-20). First, the Lord promises that He will take care of His people’s everyday needs because they have put Him first in their hearts (cf. Matt 6:33, see my post The attitude that affects everything). Secondly, we catch a glimpse of the long-term future.

God’s power over the world and its peoples

At this point, Judah is merely an insignificant province of the mighty Persian empire. However, God will overthrow political powers that look invincible to the tiny remnant (Hag 2:22). The verse is brimming with historic references reminding Israel of God’s past activity on their behalf. The term of being overthrown is used of Sodom (Gen 19:25, Amos 4:11) and Nineveh is threatened with that fate (Jon 3:4). It is essentially a word for God’s judgment on wickedness (Prov 12:7). The chariots and riders that fall evoke the exodus and the crossing of the sea (Exod 15:2, 4), while the confusion of enemy warriors destroying each other is a reminder of Gideon’s victory where the same thing happened (Judg 7:22). Knowing that God determines their future and not the political powers of the day would have been an enormous boost for the exiles as they recalled how many times God had saved them in the past against all human odds.

David’s line restored

God also promises to restore kingship to Israel through Zerubbabel, though the symbolism of this verse may elude us (Hag 2:23). A signet ring or seal was used by kings to authenticate their edicts,[1] and the reference ‘My servant’ was a royal designation, used especially of David (e.g. 2 Sam 7:5, 8). Zerubbabel’s grandfather was Jehoiachin (alternatively called Jeconiah or Coniah), the Davidic king taken into exile (2 Kings 24:15; 1 Chron 3:17-19) of whom Jeremiah prophesied that none of his descendants would rule in Judah (Jer 22:24, 30 – note the use of signet ring in v.24). While this looked like the end of the Davidic monarchy, Haggai’s prophecy suggests a reversal through his grandson. Like David, who was concerned about God’s ‘house’ (the temple) and the Lord promised to build a ‘house’ (dynasty) for him (2 Sam 7:2, 11-12), so now Zerubbabel lays the temple foundations showing concern for God’s house and He re-establishes his dynasty. Although Zerubbabel himself never became king, Jesus’ genealogy is traced through him (Matt 1:12-13; Luke 3:27).[2]

Living in hope today

Like the exiles, we may be discouraged by our insignificance in a world that is dominated by non-Christian ideas and feel that our contribution is negligible, that we are powerless against the greater forces around us. Yet, God’s promise is for us too, all the more as Haggai’s prophecy was partially fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the descendant of Zerubbabel (and of David). When we put Him first, God will act both in providing for us in the small details of our lives as well as on the grand scale. He is the Lord of history and can work in and through our weakness to show His strength. He both judges and restores and we, who understand this bigger picture, should act on it with hope by living faithfully for Him.

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[1] God is ultimately Israel’s king so that the human ruler is simply an instrument in God’s hand (much like a signet ring) through whom He exercises power.

[2] It may seem to us that the prophecy failed, but the OT often uses a prominent figure’s name to describe his descendants. Mark J. Boda, Haggai, Zechariah, NIVAC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 166-67. E.g. Esau and Jacob in Mal 1:2-4; David in Ezek 37:24-25.

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