5 APRIL
A great shaking
‘For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.’ Haggai 2:6–7
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Exodus 19:16–25
God shook the earth when he proclaimed his law to Israel from Sinai. The description, though very simple, presents to our thoughts a scene unspeakably majestic and grand, but unspeakably awful likewise (Exodus 19:16–19). The mountain was in flames at the top and trembled to its basis. Dark clouds, thunderings and lightnings filled the air. Not only the mountain, but the hearts of the people, of the whole people, trembled, and Moses himself said, I exceedingly fear and quake. Then, as the apostle referring to this passage observes in Hebrews 12:26, The voice of the Lord shook the earth. But the prophet speaks of another, a greater, a more important and extensive concussion. Yet once more I shake not the earth only but the heaven. If we really believe that the Scriptures are true, that the prophecies were delivered by holy men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and that not one jot or tittle shall fail, how studious should we be to attain a right understanding of passages and events in which we are nearly [closely] interested, so as to be duly and properly affected by them.
FOR MEDITATION: On the earthquake, 8 September, 1775
But if these warnings prove in vain,
Should the deep-rooted hills be hurled,
Say, sinner, canst thou tell,
And plunged beneath the seas;
How soon the earth may quake again,
And strong convulsions shake the world,
And open wide to hell?
Your hearts may rest in peace.
But happy they who love the LORD
JESUS, your Shepherd, LORD, and Chief,
And his salvation know;
Shall shelter you from ill;
The hope that’s founded on his word,
And not a worm or shaking leaf
No change can overthrow.
Can move, but at his will.
SERMON SERIES: MESSIAH, NO. 3 [1/5], HAGGAI 2:6–7
Milo 