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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
1:13-15a Promise and Progress. The obedience and fear characterizing the general response of v. 12 provokes the third statement from the prophet. The promise of the Lord's presence (v. 13) engenders the actual response of "work" in vv. 14-15a.
1:13-14 messenger (Hb. mal’ak) . . . message (Hb. mal’akut) . . . worked (Hb. mela’kah). This play on words makes a direct connection between the speaker (Haggai), the content of what was spoken (statement of assurance), and the desired effect upon the people (lit., "and they performed work").
1:13 God's Promise. I am with you (cf. 2:4). This is the great promise of covenantal assurance (cf. Num. 14:9; Josh. 14:12; Judg. 1:19; Isa. 43:5; cf. Matt. 28:20). The task before them will be undertaken with the promise of God's aid.
