Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.
It was the complaint of the Jews in Babylon that they saw not their signs, and there was no more prophet (Psa 74:9), which was a just judgment upon them for mocking and misusing the prophets. We read of no prophets they had in their return, as they had in their coming out of Egypt, Hos 12:13.
Commenting on Haggai 1:1-11
Go up to the mountain--Moriah [ROSENMULLER]; Lebanon [HENDERSON]. Rather, generally, the mountains around, now covered with wood, the growth of the long period of the captivity. So Neh 8:15, "Go forth unto the mount," that is, the neighboring hills [MAURER]. wood--Haggai specifies this as being the first necessary; not to the exclusion of other materials. Stones also were doubtless needed.
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. (f) Meaning, that they should leave their own benefits, and go forward in the building of God's temple, and in the setting forth of his religion. (g) That is, I will hear your prayers according to my promise; .