Haggai 2:3

“Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?”

Haggai 2:3 is a verse from the book of Haggai in the Old Testament. To understand the verse better, let’s provide some context. Haggai was a prophet who delivered messages from God to the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon. The book of Haggai focuses on encouraging the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after their return.

In Haggai 2:3, the prophet addresses the people who had witnessed the first temple in its former glory. The first temple, also known as Solomon’s Temple, was a magnificent structure that was built during the reign of King Solomon (1 Kings 6-7). It was a symbol of God’s presence and blessing among His people.

However, the people who had returned from exile and were involved in rebuilding the temple were feeling discouraged. The temple they were constructing seemed far less impressive compared to the original temple built by Solomon. The verse raises a series of questions to provoke reflection and self-evaluation among the people.

“Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory?” The question seeks to identify those who were present during the time of the first temple and could recall its grandeur. The purpose is to evoke a sense of nostalgia and remembrance of what the temple used to be.:

“How do ye see it now?” This question challenges the people to evaluate their perception of the temple they were rebuilding. It prompts them to consider whether they were focusing too much on its physical appearance rather than recognizing its spiritual significance and the work that God was doing through them.

“Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” This question confronts the people’s perspective and highlights the discrepancy between their expectations and the reality of the unfinished temple. It emphasizes that their evaluation of the temple as “nothing” might be skewed and based on a narrow understanding of its purpose.:

Overall, Haggai 2:3 serves as a call for the people to reflect on their current situation and adjust their perspective. The verse encourages them to focus on the spiritual significance of the temple and the work of God rather than getting caught up in comparisons and feelings of inadequacy.

The following verses in Haggai further expound on the message, assuring the people that God is with them and will bless their efforts (Haggai 2:4-9). God promises that the glory of the latter temple will be greater than the former, indicating that His presence and blessing will ultimately surpass any physical magnificence.

In summary, Haggai 2:3 challenges us to evaluate our perspective on the work of God. It reminds us to focus on the spiritual significance of our endeavours rather than being discouraged by outward appearances or comparisons to past achievements.