Haggai 2:18-19

Haggai 2:18-19

[18] Consider  now from this day  and upward,  from the four  and twentieth  day  of the ninth  month, even from the day  that the foundation  of the LORD'S  temple  was laid, consider  [19] 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.

What does Haggai 2:18-19 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The people were to notice something on the day this prophecy reached their ears, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. They were to notice that from the day they started to rebuild the temple, their hardships had continued (cf. Haggai 1:14-15). They still suffered shortages of staples such as seed, grapes, and olives, and luxuries such as figs and pomegranates. However, the Lord revealed that He would now bless them, beginning that very day, the twenty-fourth of the ninth month.
This oracle explained why agricultural blessing had not begun immediately after the people resumed reconstruction on the temple. Their present dedication and obedience did not wipe out their previous covenant unfaithfulness and its punishments. That punishment had to run its course, but now, as of the day of this prophecy, God would begin to bless the people with better harvests. This message would have encouraged the Jews to persevere in their obedience.
God will bless His people for their obedience, but sometimes He will not erase the punishment that previous sins have made necessary. Sin always brings death ( Romans 6:23). Sometimes that punishment must run its course before blessing can begin.