1:2 These people. An expression of implied displeasure (2:14). Verses 2–11 indict the spiritual indifference and misplaced priorities of God’s people.

the time has not yet come. Their objection was not to the rebuilding itself, but to the timing of it. The objections may have been economic, because their land was in trouble (cf. vv. 10, 11), or religious, because according to Ezek. 37:24–27 the Messiah would rebuild the temple, or because according to Jer. 25:11–14, the nation must serve a foreign king seventy years. The original temple was destroyed in 586 b.c., and they may have falsely reasoned that they should not start building the new temple until 516 b.c. Such excuses showed that they were not pursuing God’s kingdom and righteousness (cf. Matt. 6:33).

the house of the Lord. The temple was the dwelling place of God’s special presence with His people (1 Kin. 8:27–30). Today God is graciously present in His temple, the church (1 Cor. 3:16, 17).