Unclean by a Dead Body Haggai 2:13

Haggai the prophet relayed the LORD's question to the priests concerning “the law”. His inquiry was about “holy meat” becoming “unholy” because it touched “bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat”. In chapter two and verse thirteen of his prophesy, Haggai questioned the priest concerning becoming “unholy” if they touched a “dead body”. We read:

Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these,

shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

The verse begins, “Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these,

shall it be unclean?” Haggai began with the phrase, “Then said” or “uttered, spoke or avowed” “Haggai” whose name means “festive” and was “tenth in order of the minor prophets; first prophet to prophecy after the captivity”, “If one that is unclean” which means “impure ethically, religiously and ritually” “by a dead body” which refers to “the soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion or passion” “touch” or “reach, strike, approach or apply” “any of these shall it be unclean?” or “impure, religiously, ceremonially and defiled”. The LORD knew the answer to the question He asked the priests, but He wanted them to answer it for themselves.

The verse goes on to say, “And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.” Haggai continued, “And the priests” or “principal officers and chief rulers” “answered” or “responded, testified, spoke and shouted” “and said” which means “uttered, spoke and avowed”, “It shall be unclean” or “impure, religiously, ceremonially and defiled”. The priests knew the law, and the law stated if they touched a “dead body” they would be defiled by it. (Refer to Leviticus 21:11)

When we consider these words of the LORD through Haggai, we may see the LORD's examples as a set up for what He is about to have them consider. The law stated that “holy meat” which touched something “unholy” made the meat “unholy”, and if a priest touched a “dead body”, they also would be “unclean”. What would the LORD have us consider that makes us “unholy”? Would it be the dead carcass of some hidden sin? Is it a relationship which is in distress and trouble? Whatever is making us “unholy” we must understand that a relationship with Jesus Christ will keep us from the “unholy” things. Whether “dead things” or “unclean things” are in our lives to defile us, may we keep our LORD Jesus in His rightful place, and allow Him to keep us “holy as He is Holy”.

Next time Haggai the LORD tells the people they are like these unclean things, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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