MPV Commentary

The people were discouraged by the inferiority of this temple compared to Solomon's, but they are encouraged to persevere because God is with them and this house will have a glory far above that of gold and silver due to its connection with Messiah's kingdom.

This prophecy was given in the seventh month of the second year of Darius' reign, just a short time after the people had begun working on the temple. Many elders who had seen the first temple in all its glory wept at the contrast presented by the rough appearance of the second temple. They noted five points of inferiority: the absence of the sacred fire, the Shekinah, the ark and cherubim, the Urim and Thummim, and the spirit of prophecy. However, these were counterbalanced by the connection of this temple with Messiah, who is the antitype to all these things.

God's estimate of things is very different from man's. Despite their low opinion of the present temple due to its outward inferiority, God holds it superior (Zechariah 4:10; 1 Corinthians 1:27-28). The greatest strength is to have Jehovah with us as our strength, not in man's might but in God's Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

The covenant promise of God to the elect people at Sinai is an additional motive for persevering. This promise is a reminder that God will be present with them and bless them, even if their circumstances appear bleak.

The nations will bring offerings of precious metals to this temple, which they now miss so much (Isaiah 2:3; 60:3-7; Ezekiel 43:2-5). The heavenly Jerusalem will also be adorned in a similar way, but it will need no temple (Revelation 21:10-22).

The glory of this latter house is greater than that of the former due to the presence of Messiah. In His face is given the light of the knowledge of God's glory (2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:2). This glory will be revealed at His second coming, as foretold in this prophecy.

The peace that comes from Messiah consists of several aspects: first, the removal of the difficulty in the way of a just God accepting the guilty (Psalm 85:8-10; Isaiah 9:6-7; 53:5); then, peace in the sinner's own heart (Isaiah 57:19; Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; 14:17; Ephesians 2:13-17; Philippians 4:7); and finally, peace in the whole earth (Micah 5:5; Luke 2:14). This peace begins with God's acceptance of sinners through Messiah's blood, then creates peace within their hearts, and ultimately brings peace between people.