Matthew Poole and continuators on Haggai 2:23

23 In that day , saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee , O Zerubbabel , my servant , the son of Shealtiel , saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet : for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

During those dayes of Troubles, Wars, and Destruction, and particularly towards the end of them.

Advance, Honour, Defend and own.

Personally understood it respecteth the beginning of those dayes. Politically understood, it refers to all those times in which God promiseth he would, and indeed did preserve, guide, and honour such Governours of his people, who were as Zerubbabel was; somewhat of which promise and performance you may observe in the times succeeding unto, and through, the Meccabees times, Typically this refers to Christ, and the setting up of his Kingdom, shadowed out by the Government of Zerubbabel.

The Stile changed seems to point to him who was Gods most beloved Servant, Isa. 42.1. and 52.13.

Who was one of the Progenitors of the Me[illegible: 2 letters]iah, Matth. 1.12. Luk. 3.27.

Which is very highly valued, carefully kept, and used to confirm, and ratifie Gif[illegible: 1 letter]s, Edicts, and Patents, Dan. 6.17. So shall the Antitypical Zerubbabel, th[illegible: 1 letter] Messiah be Advanced, Loved, and inviolably preser[illegible: 1 letter]ed King, and Supreme over his Church,

for he is the Chosen one, the Beloved one, in whom God was well pleased, as the Chald. Paraphrast. and Matth. 3.17.