TEXT: Haggai 2:20-23

SUBJECT: Exposition of Haggai #5

Tonight brings us to Haggai's last inspired utterance, preached on "the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius". This was his second effort of the day. Earlier, he had encouraged the people to trust God to meet all their needs. Now that they were in the path of obedience, they could expect a blessing. The "vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree", which were so long barren, would soon yield a bumper crop. This was good news--in the short run, at least.

But what about the long run? One good harvest would not guarantee the nation's security. A revived prosperity could well invite a new invasion. Israel was small in geography, smaller in population, and smaller still in defense capability. This "big picture", of course, didn't much trouble the Hebrew farmer, who couldn't see beyond his daily work. But it gave Zerubabbel fits. As Governor, he did not have the luxury of thinking only of himself and his immediate concerns: he had a nation to think about--and not only now but into the distant future, to generations not yet born. He was the pivotal figure from the death of David--about five hundred years before--till the birth of Christ some five hundred years later. What a responsibility!

And so, he needs a word from the LORD, too. And appropriately, Haggai's last sermon is spoken to him. It consists of two parts: a prediction of judgment and an assurance of grace.

As to the first, Gentile unrest would continue, vv.21-22. Zerubbabel was old enough to remember Imperial Babylon. What a power it seemed to be. Its king ruled all nations with a rod of iron. If he said, "You live"--you lived; or "You die"--you died. No one questioned his authority. He was the Golden Head, sneering down at the empires to follow. But now, he was no more. And the kingdom he had put together with such care was given to another man. The Medes and the Persians now ruled. But they, too, were fragile. The Medes, under Darius, first ruled the coalition. But then the Persians took over. Cyrus the Great ruled supreme as the Medes slinked back into obscurity. But they too, would fall. The Greeks were making noise. And within a few generations, Philip of Macedon would consolidate the people and his son, Alexander, would march to India. But he would die at thirty-three, "with no more worlds to conquer". Four generals would greedily carve up his empire. But they, too, were unstable. Finally, Rome would smash them all and forge an Iron Kingdom--but alas, one mixed with clay.

This must have terrified Zerubbabel. After all, if continents were shaken, how could his ribbon of land be secure? But then, God pulled back the curtain to show him what was going on behind the scenes. Yes, the nations were arming for war, but God stood behind them all, giving the directions. They were only doing "whatever His hand and His counsel had determined before to be done". Hence, the LORD says, "I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; their horses and riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother".

The Gentile tumult was under control--God's control. And this was the God who had, earlier that day, promised to bless His people. Thus, "no weapon that is formed against (them) shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against (them) in judgment (they) shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me, says the LORD".

And so, no need to fear. Even the vicious Gentiles are under the supervision of heaven.

"God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear,

though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;

though its waters roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake with its

swelling."

Then comes the assurance of grace. It was implied in the earlier verses, but now becomes plain, v.23: "In that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the LORD, and will make you as a signet ring, for I have chosen you, says the LORD of hosts".

The Governor had nothing to worry about. The Gentiles would clash, but he would be cared for like a king's "signet ring". This was not a piece of jewelry, per se'. It was ring a bearing the royal insignia and used to stamp official documents. To own it signified unique favor in the court and bestowed great power. But that's not the meaning here, I don't think. For God is not promising power to Zerubbabel at all, but security. Needless to say, this signet was guarded with supreme care. If it should fall into the hands of another, he could issue orders in the name of the king. That's why it was worn on the finger--so it couldn't be easily lost or stolen.

And so, the LORD is promising to care for Zerubbabel during the perilous times in which he lived. He did not promise to pacify the world to keep Zerubbabel safe, but to keep him safe in a world of violence.

This must have greatly encouraged the man in his good work of leading God's people.

But what can we say about this? All of the envisioned Empires have come and gone. Judah itself is no more. Haggai, of course, has returned to the dust from which he was taken. But his "work was not vain in the LORD". Because it was inspired of God and preserved, it speaks as relevantly to us as it did to the Jews 2,500 years ago.

What, then, does it tell us?

It tells us that the enemies of God are in a constant state of turmoil. That they cannot be otherwise. "The wicked are like the troubled sea that cannot rest". This agitation is evident in world wars, civil wars, revolution, street crime, domestic violence, and the troubled heart, too. Nothing can change this, but God's grace. The end of the "Cold War" was a welcome relief, but it will be replaced by another "War"--and maybe far worse. The crumbling of the Berlin Wall was an astonishing event. But other walls must be built. The Los Angeles riots have subsided for now, but others will explode in time. The overturn of Roe v. Wade would be a good thing, but another scandal will take its place. As long as men are unreconciled to God, they will be unreconciled to each other. Christians should be the least "utopian" people in the world. We are "realists"--undeceived by the schemes of man to create a new humanity and usher in the millennium. Babylonia, Medea, Persia, Greece, and Rome were unable to do it. And Communism, socialism, capitalism, and libertarianism will be equally unsuccessful.

But it also tells us that God's people are safe whatever betide them. Zerubbabel was secure because God "had chosen him". But that equally describes the Christian. "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light".

Hence, the Church is in good hands, and in no danger of extinction: "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". And so is every believer: "I have lost none", confessed the Savior.

Thus, we needn't be worried about ourselves, about the Lord's people, or about the future. For each belongs to God.