Definition: Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless [you].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse! It’s a really important one for understanding God's plan in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God’s promise to bless a community – specifically, a group of people – and to start a new temple (a place for worship) if they’ve done something wrong or are neglecting their responsibility. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Haggai 2:19” : This refers to a specific event in the story of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, which was about to begin. It’s a passage from the Book of Habakkuk. “Is the seed yet in the barn?” – This is a really tricky question! It means that everything isn't ready – everything hasn’t started growing or being established – before God begins to bless them. Think of it like a seed needing to sprout and grow into a plant. “Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth” : This is the key part. It’s saying that everything – all the plants – haven't started growing or producing fruit yet. The vines, figs, pomegranates, and olives aren't even starting to bloom or bear fruit. “From this day will I bless [you]” : This is God’s promise! He says that immediately after this point, he will bless the community. This isn’t just a general blessing; it's specifically for them. So, what does it mean in a nutshell? God is saying: “I’m going to give you a big blessing if you’ve made a mistake or haven’t been working diligently with me. But right now , I’m going to start offering blessings to you.” It's a call for action and a promise of reward – but it starts now . Why is this important? This verse speaks to the idea that God’s promises are always active, and He’s working behind the scenes to help people. It emphasizes that God's plan isn't just about the finished product; it's about the ongoing process of blessing and growth. --- Would you like me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific part of the Bible? Give you an analogy that helps understand the concept?