With the use of much
and little,
the Lord picks up on the contrasts in Haggai 1:6 between what God’s people expected and what they experienced. Their toiling had been much, but had not yielded what they wanted, and apparently they did not understand why. Now they will be made certain as to the reason.
9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.