May 24, 2019 -- Haggai 2:6-9 -- Jesus the Desire of All Nations

6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Haggai 2:6-9 New King James Version

Jesus’ Name here is: “The Desire of All Nations.” I have purposely chosen the New King James Version, as other versions read: “the wealth” or the “treasure” of all nations. In the original language, Hebrew, the first two definitions of that word “chemdah” is “Desire” or “Delight”. It is one Name for Jesus I have loved since my youth. It is a glorious name. H. Bultema wrote of this Name:

Subjectively no nation desires our Lord, but objectively and

unconsciously He is the desideratum^ of all nations, which just

now are in the most horrible mess, because of their desire of

land, gold, might, honor, safety, and the vain ambition to be

first and foremost; everything except Him.

[^desideratum: that which is essential or needed]

Christians recognize this Name for Jesus and see the great facets of meaning it holds. Like a diamond beyond weighing, measure or price Jesus shines as the Desire of All Nations because in Him:

~We have a High Priest in heaven who hears us and gives grace and mercy [Hebrews 4:15-16]

~He is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him [Hebrews 5:9]

~He is not milk, but solid food for training the soul in discerning good from evil [Hebrews 5:14]

~He is the anchor of hope for our souls [Hebrews 19-20]

~He will appear a second time and save those who eagerly wait for Him [Hebrews 9:28]

~In Christ we find pleasure in carrying out the will of God [Hebrews 10:1-10]

~By Jesus’ cleansing blood we have confidence to go into the presence of God [Hebrews 10:19-21]

~Because of Christ’s work God disciplines us as sons [Hebrews 12:5-9]

~The discipline of our Father yields in us the peaceful fruit of righteousness [Hebrews 12:11]

This is just a quick and small sampling of why Jesus is the Desire of All Nations.

It is true, Jesus, the more I learn of You through Scripture reading, the more I understand You to be “the Desire of All Nations” and the greatest Desire of my heart! Increase my faith in You; by the strength of Your Spirit strengthen my feeble hands and wavering attitude so that I will serve You with ever greater zeal. In my life, in my home, and beyond this—in the Church and in Your World may the desire for and praise of Jesus bring honour and glory and service in reverent fear to You, God our Father. Amen.