John Trapp on Haggai 2:23

Verſe 23. I will take thee, O Zerubbabel] That is, O Chriſt, of whom Zerubbabel was both a father and a figure, Luke 3.27. Zach. 4.10. I will take thee, that is, I will advance and exalt thee. See this expounded, and applied by that great Apoſtle, Philip. 2.5. to the 12.

and will make thee as a ſignet] that is, I will highly eſteem thee, inviolably keep thee, and entirely love thee, Cant. 8.6. Jer. 22.24. and all my people in thee, and for thee, Eſay 49.16.

for I have choſen thee] as Eſay 42.1. Quoniam in te mihi complacui, ſaith the Chaldee. For in thee I am well pleaſed, as Mat. 3.17. See the Note there.

Saith the Lord of hoſts] This is three ſeverall times ſet down in this one verſe, for our greater aſſurance, and confirmation of our faith. I ſhall cloſe up all with that obſervation of Divines, that all the Prophets (except Jonah and Nahum) expreſſely end in ſome prophecy concerning Chriſt. He being their mark at which all of them chiefly aimed. Indeed he is both mark and matter, of both old and new Teſtament. And therefore if we will profit in teaching, hearing, reading, we muſt have the eye of our minde turned toward Chriſt, as the faces of the Cherubims were toward the Mercy ſeat. Do this, if ever you will do well.