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"Will it become holy?"

Text: Haggai 2:12

THE QUESTION OF HOLINESS

There were many things that seem to be problem issues as the remnant settled in Judah.

“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,
‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying,
‘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.'”
Haggai 2:10-12

1. “The word of the LORD”

a) This came to Haggai.

b) This was now the ninth month of Darius’ second year of reigning.

c) There were issues that still bothered the people and affected the work.

2. The priests were asked to resolve a problem

a) It was the question of “holiness”.

b) A point of “law”

i) The priest is supposed to be consecrated and therefore “holy”.

ii) The offerings given to the LORD were mostly “meat”.

iii) The meat that is consecrated become “holy”.

iv) If the “holy person” touches different objects (bread, stew, wine, oil or any other food) by incidental or casual touch, would these objects be “holy”?

c) The answer was given by the priests correctly “No!”

3. Holiness may not be assumed

a) This was the problem. Holiness was assumed.

b) Involvement in the building of the temple does not make anyone holy.

c) Holiness is a matter of the heart being consecrated wholly and not casually.