Haggai 2:10-14
Ask the Priests for a Ruling
Read the passage
10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying,
11“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling.
12If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does that item become holy?’” “No,” replied the priests.
13So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered.
14Then Haggai replied, “So it is with this people and this nation before Me, declares the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, the LORD tells Haggai to ask the priests for a ruling. Their answers will help the people understand the condition of their work and offerings before Him.
The first question concerns consecrated meat carried in the fold of a garment. If that fold touches other food, does the food become holy? The priests answer no. Holiness is not passed on to the food through this second contact.
The next question concerns someone made unclean by contact with a corpse. If that person touches the food, does it become unclean? The priests answer yes. The two cases have different results under the law.
Haggai then applies the rulings to the people. The LORD says that they, the work of their hands, and what they offer are defiled. Being occupied with holy things cannot by itself make them holy. Their uncleanness affects what they bring.
The rebuilding has begun, but the people still need to hear God’s judgment about their condition before Him. His house cannot become a substitute for a right relationship with Him. The lesson leads into the next message, where the LORD recalls their failure to turn to Him and promises a new beginning of blessing.
How We Know
Numbers 19:22 says that what an unclean person touches becomes unclean. Leviticus 22:4–7 applies purity requirements to Aaron’s descendants and sacred offerings, including contact with something defiled by a corpse. These laws explain the priests’ second ruling. Haggai uses both their answers to show that contact with holy things does not cancel the people’s own defilement.
Questions
1 Whom does Haggai ask for rulings?
AnswerThe priests, as the LORD has instructed him.
2 Does food become holy when touched by the garment carrying consecrated meat?
AnswerNo. The priests say that this contact does not make the other food holy.
3 What happens when a person defiled by a corpse touches the food?
AnswerIt becomes defiled, according to the priests’ ruling.
4 What does the LORD say about the people and their offerings?
AnswerThey are defiled, and so are their work and offerings. Holy activity cannot remove their need to be made clean before Him.
What This Means for Us
Working on the temple cannot make the people clean by association. God calls them to face their own condition before Him.
Do not use a good religious activity to avoid confessing a wrong. Reading Scripture, serving, and giving are good, but they do not excuse dishonesty or unkindness. Ask God for cleansing and let your service grow from a heart turning toward Him.
Prayer
Father, cleanse us from sin. Keep us from using good activities to hide what needs repentance. Make our hearts and the work of our hands pleasing to You. Amen.