Haggai 2:6-7 For thus said the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea… This text is a prophecy and prediction of our Saviour's incarnation. The Jews indeed pervert this text. We apprehend it as a prophetical prediction of that great benefit and mystery of our religion that the Christian Church doth this day celebrate. I. WHAT OCCASIONS THE PROPHET NOW TO MENTION OUR SAVIOUR, AND FORETELL HIS NATIVITY? The mentioning of Christ's incarnation comes in without any straining or impertinent digression. The prophet finds the people in a low condition, and the main consolation he ministers to them is this gracious assurance that the Messias was ere long to be born, and to come among them. This promise of Christ had a threefold virtue in it that made it seasonable in the time of distress. It sweetened their sorrow in their present affliction. It revived their hope of a full restoration. It prevents and removes all doubts and suspicions that their fear may forecast against their deliverance. Shall their temple be built again out of so great ruins? There may be doubts whether such a restoration can be possible, and whether God can be so good as to accomplish it. II. WHAT IS THE NATURE, CONDITION, AND SUBSTANCE OF THIS PROMISE? Conceive the words as a lively description of our Saviour's coming. 1. Here is a solemn preparation for it. "I will shake all nations." The times before Christ were troublesome times; nation dashing against nation, and all subdued by the Roman Empire. 2. There was a stirring up of the nations to the expectation, and looking for, of the Messiah. 3. This Shaking foretells a shaking of all things unto a great alteration. The coming of Christ wrought a great change. (1) In statu return. (2) In moribus dominum. (3) In mode rituum. 4. This shaking is a powerful drawing of men to a Christian conversion. The second subject to consider is the gracious performance of this blessed promise. "The desire of all nations shall come." Christ is the desire of all things in heaven and earth, and His incarnation that great work that all things looked for. 1. He was the delight and joy of His Father. 2. He was the desire of the angels. 3. He was the desire and longing of all creation. 4. The desire of the patriarchs. 5. The desire of the nations.Desire implies longing and wishing; attaining and possessing; enjoyment and fruition. This is not a single promise, but a promise pregnant, it includes and implies other promises with it. Here is a door set open for the Gentiles: it concerns us nearly I it is the tenure we hold by. All nations pitched upon one desire; all expect the same common salvation. Christ's Church shall be gathered out of all nations. Desire fulfilled and accomplished turns to joy, and that is the happy condition of the Christian Church. (Geo. Stradling, S. T. P.) Parallel Verses KJV: For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; |
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