Haggai 1:9 - Exposition

He shows the real cause of the calamities that had befallen them. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little. Emphatic infinitive, as in Haggai 1:6 . "To look for much, and behold! little." They fixed their expectations upon a rich harvest, and they reaped less than they had sown ( Isaiah 5:10 ). And when they had stored this miserable crop in their barns, I did blow upon it; or, did blow it away , dissipated it as if it were mere chaff, so that it perished. Doubtless, as Dr Pusey observes, they ascribed the meagreness of their crops to natural causes, and would not see the judicial nature of the infliction. The prophet brings the truth home to their conscience by the stern question, Why? And he answers the question for them, speaking with God's authority. Because of mine house that is waste. The reason already given in Haggai 1:4 , etc; is repeated and enforced. And ( while ) ye run . Ye are indifferent to the miserable condition of the house of God, while ye haste with all diligence to your own houses for business or pleasure, being entirely absorbed in worldly interests, or eager only to adorn and beautify your own habitations. Or, your zeal is all expended on your own private dwellings.