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Intention

The LORD requires holiness in our service to Him – He cannot bless that which is defiled

Scripture

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Haggai: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says:  If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?’ ”

The priests answered, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”

“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.”

Then Haggai said, “So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,” declares the Lord. “Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.” (Haggai 2:10-14)

Reflection

God is speaking to the priests through the prophet Haggai. The Israelites have returned from exile in Babylon. They had started rebuilding the temple that was in ruins; however, two years later it all came to a halt, unfinished, and they were busy building and beautifying their own homes. In fact, in Chapter One, Haggai rebukes them: Why are you living in luxurious houses while the Lord’s house remains a ruin?

So, in Chapter Two, we read the LORD questioning the priests about the haphazard effort and the lack of conviction in rebuilding the temple.

He explains by providing the example of clean and unclean. If someone is clean carrying sanctified meat and touches something common, like bread, wine, oil, pottage or meat, does it make those common things holy? — no. But if a man has touched something dead or unclean, and then goes and touches something clean (one of those common items), does that make them unclean? It does because the law says that ‘whatsoever an unclean person touches is unclean.’

This is a caution from the LORD. Whatever we do, in particular the things pertaining to our devotion to God, must be done in the right manner, or else it will be unclean and not acceptable to God.

The people were rebuilding the temple, doing good and holy work, and yet they were doing it with unsanctified hands and hearts.

Have we been doing the Lord’s work with unsanctified hands and hearts?

Has the church been doing that too?

Matthew Henry said of this passage, as we serve the LORD in any good work, ‘we must be jealous over ourselves lest we render it unclean by our uncleanness.’

The LORD exhorts us to give careful thought to our ways. If we don’t value what God has told us to value and pay attention to it, then all our ministry and our deeds for Him will be unclean and unable to receive the blessing of God.

“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
— 1 Peter 1:15-16

Video

Prayer

Holy Father, great and awesome God, have mercy on us Your people.

You have called us to holiness and to a life consecrated to You, but we have fallen far short. Through my own negligence and foolishness, I have experienced barrenness in areas where I might have seen a fruitful yield. I repent of my unclean service to You without complete surrender or conviction.

Use me LORD as an instrument of Your service, a holy vessel. Wash me in the blood of Your dear Son. Clothe me with His righteousness and sanctify me by His Spirit. Amen.

Author Bio

Cindy McGarvie is the National Director of Youth for Christ Australia. She met her husband, Rod, in the Australian Army, and together they went on to serve as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators for twelve years, raising five children on the mission field. Cindy and her husband live in Brisbane, Australia.

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