Actions Have Consequences

Haggai 2:13–14 KJV (WS)

Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.

Haggai asked two questions:

Would a garment bearing holy flesh make holy what it touches? And the priests answered and said, No.

The second question was, Will that which is made unclean by touching a dead body defile what it touches? The priests answered, It shall be unclean.

The point of the questions is that it is much easier to become defiled than to become clean—unholiness is more contagious than holiness. The sum of the argument is that what was ceremonially holy could not hallow what it touched. On the contrary, what was ceremonially unclean infected not only the person in contact with it, but whatever he touched as well (Num. 19:11–22).

This people refers to the Jews. That which they offer there specifically points to the altar which had been erected.

The people thought that their ritual enacted at the restored altar would remove their past negligence.

But Haggai is trying to show them that this is not the case.

Rather their former activities had polluted them until even their offerings were unclean.

It is easy to acquire defilement, but it is not easily cleansed.

This is the lesson from the answer of the priests.

Men are not to think that a mere change of direction will free them from the consequences of their former failures.

Sin may be forgiven but its consequences sometimes remain to hinder.