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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
2:20-23 Zerubbabel: The Signet Ring. The sixth and final message from the Lord to Haggai complements the previous word and comes on the same day (vv. 10, 18, 20). Consideration of the past and present (vv. 10-19) shifts suddenly to a future royal vision of trembling creation, overthrown kingdoms, and perishing armies. Ultimately, the vision comes to focus upon the actions of the divine King whose hand bears, as a signet ring, the promise of David's house restored in the person of Zerubbabel. Seven times in this short section the Lord is the acting subject.
2:20-22 Destruction upon Kingdoms. In this section the sovereign Lord warns of a coming destruction of kingdoms and nations.
2:20 a second time. This assumes the same date as vv. 10, 18 and makes a clear connection between vv. 20-23 and vv. 10-19.
2:21 shake. Earlier this was for the purpose of harvesting the wealth of the nations (vv. 6-7), while here it is tied to a wide-ranging sense of impending destruction of the nations.
2:22 overthrow. Complete devastation of political entities by divine action. chariots . . . riders . . . go down. An allusion to the destruction of Pharaoh's army (Ex. 14:22-29). sword of his brother. The chaos will be so great that the enemies of God's people will destroy themselves (Ezek. 38:21).
