Having now closed our lessons on the types, we will briefly notice prophecy, mainly that of Haggai. This is one of the last three prophets, and ought to be read with the books of Ezra and Neh. I purposely refer to this prophecy because of its special application to our day and to those for whom I write. It was also part of the last voice (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) from the Lord to His people before John's voice announced Christ's coming.
This remnant to whom they prophesy, having returned from Babylon, are once more in their land—once more in the place of Altar (Sacrifice) and Temple (right place of worship). God can now meet and bless them according to His Word. This no doubt represents the return of God's people in those last days to God's order as given in the Word for His people, which the church had so sadly departed from—a return to the true ground of Christian fellowship and worship, left, by the great Head of the Church until His return to take His people home.
Now, if Ezra and Nehemiah are read with care, it will be seen that although the work commenced in the energy of the Spirit, yet failure soon manifested itself among these people in their tendencies to indifference and carelessness about the things of God. Hence the need of the prophet's voice to bring them into God's presence in exercise as to their walk and ways, and also as to the need of always maintaining order and good government firmly as established by the Lord for the blessing of His people. Now we will turn to that wonderful prophesy of Haggai—just two chapters, yet five distinct messages for His people. Hag. 1:1-11 give the first message. Here their sins are pointed out—faithfully presented. They were dwelling in their ceiled houses, and the Lord's house laid waste, as the Apostle wrote later: "All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Phil. 2:21). Home life, comfort, and ease were sought and provided for, but the Lord's work—the Lord's interest here on earth—was neglected. No wonder a great dearth follows: "Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit" (Hag. 1:10). Have we not seen the same? Have we not felt this keenly? May God give us further awakening everywhere, as in the prophet's day. Hag. 1:12 shows how this first message affected the remnant: "The remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God."
Second message—Hag. 1:13. The Lord's Word is full of cheer and encouragement to an awakened people: "I am with you, saith the Lord." Then they once more resumed the work of the house of the Lord that they had neglected because of the difficulties from their enemies around. "In the world ye shall have tribulation" is a truth ever true until our Lord comes, yet "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world," are His words to His people (John 16:33).
Now in Hag. 2 we learn lessons of another character.
Third message—Hag. 2:1-9. The past glory of the house is pointed out. Their present weakness also, compared with the past-yet they were not to fear on account of that. "Be strong... be strong... be strong... for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts" (Hag. 2:4) are the words of a faithful God to His people at such a time. The future glory was what they were to look on to: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former" (Hag. 2:9) Forgetting the past, now encouraged by the presence and Word of the Lord, they are to look forward to the end—rejoice in the hope of the latter glory.
Fourth message—Hag. 2:10-19. Here we learn of the Lord's further desire—a revival of holiness and purity among themselves (this is also the testimony of Mal. 1 and 2). "Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No" (Hag. 2:11, 12). That is, could holiness and purity be transmitted to others by association? The answer is but one, as given here: No. To follow the same principle further, if you put one drop of pure water into a bucket of poison, will it cleanse it? Surely not.
"Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before Me" (Hag. 2:13,14). How God's standard of purity as given in Num. 19 abides ever the same, be it in the wilderness—the beginning of their history—or among the remnant in Haggai. This passage insists upon this weighty truth, that association with evil defiles. Hence, if in Hag. 1 we get a revival of work, in Hag. 2 we learn of God's desire for a revival of walk and association according to His Word. We will not dwell further upon this defilement by the dead, having done so in the previous pages on Num. 19.
Fifth Message—Hag. 2:20-23. These verses give us the closing message. Now the prophet seeks to revive their interest in the future, when every enemy would be overthrown. Yet, in that day, God's people (as Zerubbabel) would have a sure abiding place. This will all be fully realized at the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.