The Third Message (2:10-19). 

        In the interval between Haggai’s second and third message another prophet, Zechariah, had arisen to stress that not merely outward but also inward turning to God was neces­sary (Zech. 1:2-6). Now on the very day that the work of repair started Haggai came with a further message of en­couragement (cf. 2:10 with 2:18).

        It is strongly urged that since the foundation was then laid (ver. 18) it could not have been laid sixteen years earlier (Ezra. 3:lOf). It has already been pointed out that in any case there was no need to lay foundations. Then the Hebrew is far less concrete than the English translation might suggest. The phrase could probably be legitimately translated “since the day that Jehovah’s temple was begun,” the reference being to the solemn inaugural ceremony which would have been held equally at the recommencement of the work. Ezra 5:16 is no contradiction. Obviously the elders of Jerusalem would not have compromised their position with Tattenai by con­fessing that the work had ever come to an end, which officially it had not. They would have represented it as a slowing down.

        Haggai’s argument is based on a ceremonial technicality, viz. while holiness is not contagious, uncleanness is. There­fore the presence of uncleanness more than counteracts the presence of holiness, the dead body of the sanctuary nullifies the effect of the altar (cf. ver. 14). “From this day will I bless you11 (ver. 19); some immediate sign is suggested. The prophet was speaking in December, when rain was absolutely necessary, if the seed was to be sown in time to be ready for harvest, so the sign was probably the beginning of the rains.