Haggai 2:10-14

Spiritual uncleanness prevents God's blessing -- Haggai 2:10-14: Haggai asked the pries to interpret the Law of Moses concerning things that were unclean. "Suppose meat ready to be sacrificed to God is being carried in the folds of someone's clothing, and the clothing rubs against some bread or stew or wine or olive oil or any other food. Would those foods that were touched then become acceptable for sacrifice? "Of course not," the priests answered." This lesson on ceremonial defilement is designed to teach about religious impurity. Just because the meat was carried in a holy garment this did not make what it touched holy. Just because the people were working on God's holy Temple did not make all they did or all they contacted holy.

There was also a second question, "Suppose someone has touched a dead body and is considered unacceptable to worship God. If that person touches these foods, would they become unclean?" "Of course they would," the priests answered." God wanted His people to understand that they did not need the help of pagan rulers and their gifts in rebuilding the Temple. Disobedience makes nations unprofitable before God. God through his prophet wanted these people to know that their sacrifices were unacceptable even though they were building His temple. The sacrifices were unacceptable because the people were unclean.