The people obey

Then Zerubbabel, etc. – His ambassage had its effect. These two heads were good men; and good leaders to the rest, who were the more willing to follow so good guides. … and the words of Haggai – He distinguishes not between God’s Word, and his, as if he brought anything more or less than God’s Word: but between the author and minister of the same Word. … And not as some Papists would thence collect, that God thereby leaves some part and power to his Church, to add of their own, beside and beyond the warrant of his Word: against that wherewith he shuts up all, Rev 22:18–⁠19. … and the people did fear before the LORD – At the word of the Prophet, as if God had appeared to them face to face, and spoken to them, mouth to mouth.

With all – either none were deaf to the Lord’s reproof and counsel, or else none durst appear so, when the chief rulers in state and church were so forward in obeying the prophet. … The words of Haggai – this interprets the former, the voice of the Lord was the words of Haggai, he added nothing of his own to them. … The people did fear before the Lord – this speaks the right religious frame of heart in this people at this time.

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. … 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.

the LORD’s messenger – Or angel. Not that he was so by nature, but by office, Mal 2:7. He asserts the right and authority of his calling; requires reverence and obedience to be yielded to him, not as a private man, but as Jehovah’s messenger and ambassador. I am with you – God offers and promises his help. Without his assistance, all is vain; Ps 127:1–⁠2. But his help is all-sufficient; as if he should say, ye shall go through with it, notwithstanding any obstructions and opposition whatsoever. See Exodus 3:12; 4:11–⁠12, 15; Matt 28:20; 2 Cor 12:9.

I am with you – a great promise, and which contains all they can need or desire; it insureth God’s presence always with them, and his assistance always to them, and his blessing always upon them. He will be always for, as well as always with them, and then Tatnai, Shethar-bozhal, Sanballat, and all other conspirators with them, shall not prevail to hinder the work. Such a promise as this, see Exodus 3:12; Exod 4:11–⁠13; Matt 28:20; Rom 8:31; 2 Cor 12:9.

Then spoke Haggai the Lord’s messenger – Which some render “angel”; hence sprung that notion, imbibed by some, that he was not a man, but an angel; whereas this only respects his office, being sent of God as an ambassador in his name with a message to his people: … saying, I [am] with you, saith the Lord; to pardon their sins; to accept their persons; to remove his rod from them; to assist them in the work of building the temple, they were now willing to engage in; to protect them from their enemies, and to strengthen them to go on with the work till they had finished it; a short promise, but a very full one: it was saying much in a little, and enough to remove all their fears, to scatter all their doubts, and to bear them up, and through all discouragements.

And the LORD stirred up – Afresh, to go on in the work: which declares that men are unapt and dull to serve the Lord; neither can they obey his Word, or his messengers, before God reform their hearts, and give them new spirits, John 6:44. The Word and all outward ordinances are in vain, unless God clothe them with his power, and fill them with his Spirit, 1 Cor 3:7. … Yet he pleases to work ordinarily, by his Word, and ordinances: and therefore on them we are to attend; or rather on him in them. … of Zerubbabel … The highest powers are not exempt; but the prince and the high priest himself, submits and subjects to the Prophet.

The Lord stirred up – this is the first notable effect of God’s presence with them, a sensible performance of his promise. God inclined their minds, fixed their resolutions, and inspired them with courage for this work; whereas the stoutest of them before had no mind to set on this work, now the weakest are forward to it, and bold in it. … They came – immediately, without delay, and unanimously, without any visible dissent. Did work – every one set their hands to it in such manner as was fit for them; governors did oversee, direct, and encourage the workmen; artificers framed and prepared, and the people all laboured.

And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people – He roused them up from that sleep and sloth in which they were before, both the governors and common people; he wrought in them both to will and do; … he inspired them with zeal and resolution to enter upon the work at once, and pursue it with close application; the Lord only could do this: … in the second year of Darius the king; … Here some begin a new chapter, but wrongly; since, if these words do not belong to the preceding, there would be a contradiction in joining them with the beginning of the next.