John Calvin, Commentary on Haggai
Commentaries on the Twelve Minor Prophets by John Calvin.
Now first translated from the original Latin, by the Rev. John Owen,
vicar of Thrussington, Leicestershire.
Volume Fourth. Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai
WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1950, Michigan.
Printed in the United States of America.
Printed in the United States of America
The Commentaries of John Calvin on the Prophet Haggai
Calvin's Preface to Haggai
After the return of the people, they were favoured, we know,
especially with three Prophets, who roused their fainting hearts,
and finished all predictions, until at length the Redeemer came in
his appointed time. During the time of The Babylonian Exile the
office of teaching was discharged among the captives by Ezekiel, and
also by Daniel; and there were others less celebrated; for we find
that some of the Psalms were then composed, either by the Levites,
or by some other teachers. But these two, Ezekiel and Daniel, were
above all others eminent. Then Ezra and Nehemiah followed them, the
authority of whom was great among the people; but we do not read
that they were endued with the Prophetic gift.
It then appears certain that three only were divinely inspired
to proclaim the future condition of the people.
Daniel had before them foretold whatever was to happen till the
coming of Christ, and his Book is a remarkable mirror of God's
Providence; for he paints, as on a tablet, three things which were
to be fulfilled after his death, and of which no man could have
formed any conjecture. He has given even the number of years from
the return of the people to the building of the Temple, and also to
the death of Christ. But we must come to the other witnesses, who
confirmed the predictions of Daniel. The Lord raised up three
witnesses - Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
The first condemned the sloth of the people; for, being intent
on their own advantages, they all neglected the building of the
Temple; and he shows that they were deservedly suffering punishment
for their ingratitude; for they despised God their Deliverer, or at
least honoured him less than they ought to have done, and deprived
him of the worship due to him. He then encouraged them to hope for a
complete restoration, and showed that there was no reason for them
to be disheartened by difficulties, and that though they were
surrounded by enemies, and had to bear many evils, and were
terrified by threatening edicts, they ought yet to have entertained
hope; for the Lord would perform the work which he had begun - to
restore their ancient dignity to his people, and Christ also would
at length come to secure the perfect happiness and glory of the
Church.
This is the sum of the whole. I now come to the words.
(Calvin... on the Prophet Haggai)
(continued in Part 2...)
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