Looking Within

O. T. #2264  "Looking Within"

August 24, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

In verses 10-19, Haggai went to the priests, who were authorities on this subject, and asked them 2 simple questions for the benefit of the people present:

1. holiness
2. defilement
3. then application.

First of all, when an animal was presented on the altar as a sacrifice, the meat was considered holy; it belonged to the Lord and was set apart to be used only as He instructed. by Jewish law, the priests and their families were permitted to eat portions of some of the sacrifices, but they had to be careful how and where they ate it, plus what they did with the leftovers. (Lev. 6:8-7:38)

Does the holy, set apart garment touching the consecrated meat make the food holy? No. Holiness can't be transmitted. In other words, holiness can't be caught. Disobedience by God's people renders sacrifices unacceptable. (verse 14) It was a matter of the heart. the Jews who were sent to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, the Temple, and its economy got sidetracked. They focused more on their own homes than on the rebuilding of the Temple.

Obedience is necessary for worship to be accepted. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Because the people shifted their focus and obedience, then God withheld His blessings of crops. (verses 16-17) Since the Jews did not measure up to God's standards, He got their attention by sending natural disasters to get their attention-no food.

Lately, droughts and floods got the attention of people. At least they did mine. Is God trying to get your attention?

LET IT GROW

The second question concerns defilement. If a person touched a dead body and became unclean, could that person touch another and make them unclean? Yes. Diseases can be caught by the healthy. Thus, people working on the Temple could not impart holiness to it, but they could defile it by their sins. The work was to be done from their hearts, pure and devoted to God. God wanted the hearts of His people turned back to Him. So Haggai was calling them to repentance. 

How is our heart condition? Are we keeping our tithe for our projects or are we faithful to give it back to God? How is our service? Are we going through the motions or are we serving God with a loving heart?

Sin hinders the work of God and robs us of the blessings of God. So we need to look up and look within. Repent and obey.

[Resources: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chron. 7:14)

LET IT GO 

Jesus, You can change hearts and situations.

Have mercy on us sinners.

Please forgive us for allowing abortions, homosexuality, and adultery to be normal.