Spiritual Rest in Political Strife
G. E. Jelf, M. A. Haggai 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, said the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace… It is Christ who really speaks to us, both out of the Old Testament and out of the New, this blessed message of the Lord, "In this place will I give peace." It is His Spirit which revealed it to the prophet; it is His Word which is uttered in the Gospel; it is He Himself who gives it to us now and for evermore. "He is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14). This was the glorious prospect lifted up before those who, coming back from the captivity of Zion, set to work on the restoration of that temple which they had never forgotten in a strange land. There was much, it is true, to sadden them. The place looked not like the ancient and beautiful house from which they had been driven seventy years before. And yet God told them to be strong and work, for He was with them. "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place I will give peace." Five centuries passed away, and all the nations were in expectation; and all the nations happened by Divine appointment to be at peace. This was but an outward thing, however blessed, compared with that holy rest prepared for the people of God, and brought into the world by that eternal Son of God, in whom righteousness and peace kissed each other. That Son of God was made a human babe, and the angels sang, "On earth peace." He grew to manhood, and always, though with warnings mingled, He spake of peace. He sailed upon the stormy waves, and said to them, "Peace be still." And so throughout His life. It is His promise concerning His sanctuary. "In this place will I give peace." I. HE HIMSELF IS IN THE MIDST OF US. There is a holy presence here, and this should quiet our hearts with reverence and godly fear, and yet fill us with peace and joy. We draw nigh to Him, and He draws nigh to us. We lift up our hearts to Him in supplication, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. II. HE GIVES US HERE HIS "GOSPEL OF PEACE." Even if the clergyman's heart is heavy, the lips of the evangelist utter the blessed tidings, and the word in season helps the soul of the weary. But the Gospel is only a pleasant song to us, until we act upon it in penitence and faith; but then obedience is the path to peace. III. HE KEEPS US SECRETLY IN HIS TABERNACLE FROM THE STRIFE OF TONGUES. Though His presence, realised even in common life, keeps us peaceful in the midst of strife, yet there is a special calm about His house which gives us pause and refreshment after we have striven, and before we go again into conflict — a calm which bids us, on the Lord's day and in the Lord's house, set aside all thoughts of party, all the bitterness of controversy, and, instead, pray for one another, that thus, as far as lieth in us, we may live peaceably with all men. Then, let all the occasions of your life, all the changes which you experience, be sanctified in the place where He, according to His promise, is sure to be found. Christ is here, so here is liberty and light, here is strength and comfort. Christ is here, and so when we come before Him with an" humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart," He meets us with that priceless blessing, "Peace be unto you." (G. E. Jelf, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. WEB: 'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of Armies; 'and in this place will I give peace,' says Yahweh of Armies."