Haggai 2:8-9 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, said the LORD of hosts.… 1. The absolute dominion of the riches and splendour of the world belongs unto the Lord, who hath all these things in His power to dispose of as He pleases, and who is to be eyed, acknowledged, and submitted unto by every man in his portion or lot according as He dispenseth it. 2. It may satisfy the people of God in their wants to consider that God hath all they want at His command, and would not with hold it unless He saw such a dispensation tending to their good. 3. When the Lord withholds any glory or splendour from His people and work, it is for their advantage and flows from a purpose to give what is better, if they had eyes to see it; for when He withholds silver and gold, which they so much desired, He purposeth that "the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former." 4. The spiritual things of Christ's kingdom do far surpass all the legal administrations in glory, and do put more real splendour on any place where they are administered, than all the pomp of the world beside can do. 5. As peace and reconciliation with God is the allowance of Christ's subjects, which outshines all the splendour and glory of the world, so it is the great glory of the Gospel administrations that by them peace may be had through Jesus Christ, which was attainable by none of the works or ceremonies of the Law being rested on; therefore instead of their wonted splendour, and in opposition to former administrations, it is promised, that by Christ's coming, His death and doctrine, "in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (George Hutcheson.) Parallel Verses KJV: The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.WEB: The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says Yahweh of Armies. |