37(Haggai 2,12-14) Mixing Holy and Unholy
Haggai 2:10-14 (p. 689)
10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 11 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 "If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?" ' " Then the priests answered and said, "No." 13 And Haggai said, "If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?" So the priests answered and said, "It shall be unclean." 14 Then Haggai answered and said, " 'So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,' says the LORD, 'and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. NKJV
There were voices in Jerusalem saying that the time was not right for the temple to be rebuilt (verse 2). They were in a time of recession, their crops were not producing well, and the burden of a new temple was too much.
The Lord’s response (verse 4) was to ask if the time was good enough for them to live in relative ease and continue to ignore God’s service.
God gave them something to consider: could it be that their present circumstances were a direct result of their disobedience. (5-9)
The difference at this time was the response of the people to the Lord’s messenger. Both the secular and spiritual leaders obeyed God’s Word (12-15).
BUT –
It is not enough even to do the works, if sin still remains in your life. (2:12-14)
The illustration points to the fact that unholiness in one’s life destroys whatever holiness there is.
It is your secret sins that keep you from receiving blessing, even though you are involved with holy activities.
Coming to church, giving in the offering plate, attending bible study, are all noble and good deeds. But if you have in your life an unholy practice, God does not recognize or bless.
SOLUTION (15,18,19) -
“From this forward” – What is important is to remove that unholy lifestyle now.
1. God desires consideration of His kingdom and house. He is the author of blessing, and can remove and restrain them to chasten disobedience.
2. Holy service must proceed from holy hands. Our desire to be restored to blessing must include not only service to God, but honoring Him through obedience in our personal lives.