| |
The main event of Haggai is the rebuilding of the temple, however, there are other several other storylines that run alongside this narrative. One such example is verse 13 where Haggai offers two opposing questions to the priests to create an object lesson for his illustration.
Question 1 – “If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?” The answer to this question is no. In other words, ceremonial cleanness cannot be transferred.
Question 2 – “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The answer to this question is yes. In other words, ceremonial uncleanness does transfer.
So why is this important?
“Even though the people had been bringing their offerings while neglecting the rebuilding of the temple, their offerings had not been acceptable. Their sin had caused their sacrifices to be contaminated and ineffectual. And their good works, their offerings, could not transmit cleanness. In other words, sin is contagious, righteousness is not.”
John MacArthur
Since the exile, the people of Israel had placed their primary focus on getting back to their land. After that, they possibly just assumed that everything would fall into place. Their presence in the land and even their sacrifices meant nothing if they were not done with the right heart. The people had shattered their connection to God by refusing to do the work and rebuild the temple, so naturally, the fruit of their lives produced nothing but contamination. Ultimately, that attitude becomes contagious.
The same is true for us. We cannot expect to sever our daily relationship with Christ and produce anything of value in this life. Furthermore, we cannot expect to bring “good works” to Him when we have failed to walk through the foundational steps He requires of us. Let’s get even more specific.
As professing believers, if we are not seeking God in His Word and meeting Him in prayer daily, how can we expect our lives to impact this world? But also consider, God was not just concerned with external behaviors. Even when the temple was rebuilt, and worship resumed, His desire for Israel was that their hearts would change to love Him with everything. That is something that can only happen as we cooperate with His Spirit and with faith and humility give Him total control over every aspect of our being.