Being holy requires effort. Haggai the prophet sent that as one of his instructions to the exiles coming back to Jerusalem to complete the temple's reconstruction.
Haggai used the example of an Israelite who brought meat that was designated for the temple in his garment. Because of what it contained, the robe was regarded as holy, yet that holiness could not be transferred to another thing (2:12). Contrarily, ritual uncleanness would contaminate whatever it came in contact with (v. 13).
That demonstrates the need for caution in our daily lives. The filth that surrounds us every day easily defiles us. Similar things occur with young boys. They are always more filthy when they get home.
Boys that are active seem to attract dirt, grass, and bicycle oil. Keeping them away from the dirt is the only way to keep them clean.
Children can be cleaned up when they get dirty. However, Haggai's time was marred by the disobedience and self-centeredness of the populace. When people listened to his message and placed God first, the prophet predicted, their cleanup would start. Verse 19 states that after that, God's favour would be restored. Blessings would follow holiness.
It is challenging to follow God, but it is worthwhile.
A modest act of obedience leads to big blessings. More purity will give me more willpower to overcome, more escape from the stains of the ground, and more homesickness;
I would be more useful and more suitable for the kingdom,
More holy and blessed—more like Thee, Saviour.
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What does being in exile mean?
What does exile mean in literature?
What happens to a person in exile?
Why is exile a punishment?
Is exile worse than death?
Do exiles still happen?
Where do exiled people go?
What countries are in exile?
Is being exiled considered dying?
Why are people exile?
Can someone be an exile?
Can you live in exile?
What do you call a person who is exiled?
What does God say about exile?
What's it like to live in exile?
What is a psychological exile?
Are refugees exiles?
What is the difference between asylum and exile?
What are the two types of exile?
Is exile against human rights?
What is the opposite of exiled?
What is similar to exiled?
Can a leader be exiled?
What is it called when you leave your country?
What do you call a foreigner who settle in a country?
What do you call a person who is leaving one country to live?
What is it called when you live in two countries?
What do you call someone who has lived in different countries?
What is to enter another country to live there permanently?
What is the formal term for people moving between countries?
