The people were discouraged. Some could remember the temple in its former glory and were distressed by what they saw now. Seeing their state, the Lord encourages them. He exhorts them to be strong & work, for he's with them, the covenant still stands and his Spirit remains among them.
But the people need more than words. They have to contend with opposition; they have very little to work with; they're poor.
1. The God Who Shakes Nations
Hudson Taylor once famously said that "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply". This is exactly what the Lord now confirms to his people. He is going to stretch out his hand to act for his beleagured people.
"In a little while, I will shake...all nations, and the desired of all nations will come". Clearly, something very significant is going to occur; the nations will be shaken. But what is it that is going to come? What is the 'desired of all nations'?
Although this was taken for many years as a reference to the messiah (hence the lines in Hark, the herald angels), the word is actually plural and refers to things, not a person. The Lord is promising to an impoverished people the wealth of the nations to help them in the building of the temple!
How did his promise work out? In an amazing way. Look at Ezra 5 & 6 for the details. There was more opposition to the work and those opposed wrote again to the Emperor for a decree to tell the people to stop building. Their request had the opposite effect; they were ordered to give towards the building of the temple!
The Lord of Hosts was at work. His words are always matched by his deeds. They are never empty. We need to grasp with Hudson Taylor that wonderful truth and look to God to supply our needs. Remember, the silver and the gold all belong to the Lord and he can switch between accounts at will, never having to give notice and never losing interest!
The Lord was going to shake the nations and he did. But what happened in those days doesn't exhaust the meaning of these words. There were to be further shakings over the centuries until the coming of the Messiah. Nations rose and fell, all in preparation for the coming of the Lord.
2. The God of Glory
But how would the temple be filled with glory? How would its glory exceed the former one? In those days it didn't but under Herod it was made truly great. But it was in the coming of the Messiah to the temple in person that it was truly filled with glory and it is through the ministry of the Messiah that the latter glory exceeds the former.
You see, we're dealing here with the difference between the old and the new covenants, between the physical temple and the spiritual one. And God's glory is made manifest in this world supremely through his Son and after that through his people.
His glory - that is, his grace, love, mercy, justice & holiness - is seen in us as we believe on the Lord Jesus and then live a life that speaks of his saving power and beauty.
3. The God of Peace
And the Lord will give peace, there and here. His peace is the summation of his blessing, a wholeness of life that transcends any blessing this world can give. A wholeness of life, despite the trials of life, a wholeness in the midst of the trials. In the light of such promises, can we not be strong & work?
