A paraphrasticall explication of the twelve minor prophets. Viz. Hoseah. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. Nahum. Habakkuk. Zephaniah. Haggai. Zechariah. Malachi. / By Da. Stokes. D.D.

Of the PROPHESIES OF HAGGAI and ZACHARIE.

HAggai was the first of the Prophets, that were sent to preach to the Iews, after their return from the captivity of Baby∣lon. He began to prophesie in the second year of (*) Darius Nothus, and within two moneths, the Prophet Zacharie was joyned with him, and they were both sent upon this occasion.

Cyrus had very gratiously given leave to the Iews, to return into their own Coun∣trie, and there to rebuild their City and Temple. Which indulgence many of them made use of, and laid the foundation of the Temple, and raised the Altar of Holocaust: but Cyrus being much intangled in ••everal wars, and Cambyses, after him, not a little

troubled the Governors of the neighbour∣ing places upon that advantage did much hinder the Jews, accusing them, in their letters to the Persian Monarchs, as men that set upon that work, with a purpose of rebellion against them, when they had for∣tified themselves. But, after Darius was come to the Crown of Persia: God was pleased to expresse his pleasure (by Haggai, and Zacharie) for their proceeding in the work of the Temple, mercifully intending to move the heart of Darius to favour the de∣sign.

Some there were that gave ear to these two Prophets, by the encouragement of Zo∣robabel, their Commander, and Iosuah, the Son of Iosedec, their High-Priest. Yet many of the common people, partly unwilling to undergo the labour of the work, and the danger of the enemie, that opposed it: and partly desirous to avoid the charge, and expense of such a Fabrick, had no mind to hear of that ear: and thought it far better, and safer, to live frugallie in those houses which they had built somewhat convenient for themselves, and so (as they thought) to secure themselves of the profits of the Country, and save their money in their pur∣ses, making no further contribution toward

those publick structures, which did but give offence to their enemies. But, in pro∣cesse of time, God blessing the endeavours of the two Prophets, (that preached earnest∣ly against the peoples cowardly fear, and sloth, and covetousnesse) and withal so in∣clining the heart of Darius, that he gave out an edict, for the liberty of the Iews to build, and their enemies to let them do so, the work of building the Temple went on with happy successe. And in the Prophesie of Haggai, which began the exhortation to that work, something is, for their in∣couragement, clearly foretold of the near approach of the Messias, that was to honour the Temple with his own presence. In the other, Zacharie doth as plainly set out, his ‖coming to Ierusalem upon Palm-Sunday: and the price that should be set on him, in that place, and his passion there.

Notes

• (*)

  By Ezra it appears to be that Darius which reigned betwixt the 2 Ar••ax••rxes's. Now that was Darius Nothus, not Darius H staspis.
• Haggai c. 2. 7. 9.
• ‖

  c. 9. 9.
• c. 11. 12.
• c. 12. 10. & 13. 7.