This scripture is from the days of old. Even though we’re in these modern times it’s fitting. These are evil, scary times. Our past generations have never been to a state like this. However, it’s been this way at times before. We’re now to a critical point.
Haggai, Zachariah, Habakkuk, and the others faced these kinds of times. God gave Israel some advice that’s relevant to us right now. We want to put the entire blame for what’s going on in the nation and the world on the governments of the world. It doesn’t rest there. It is us—”We the people”—who are at fault. It’s not just Americans but humanity in general that fail. The world is corrupt—people are. We have to take a look at ourselves.
Haggai 2:13 “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. 14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean. 15 And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD.”
What this scripture spoke then is still true today. This book is thousands of years old, but humanity is basically the same. Due to the wickedness of people in Noah’s time the world was destroyed. People were scattered during the days of the Tower of Babel. The same devils are in the world today. This is not spoken of the wicked; they are already in the dark. This was spoken to the people of God. Whatever spiritual condition people are in will be the condition of the world. We need to give careful attention to our relationship with God. It should be our goal to witness. The hope is not in the government and policies; it’s in the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s shown through our witness. The more dilatory we allow ourselves to become, the worse it is for the people.
The Law of Moses taught that a person is unclean who has been touched by a dead body. Certain things had to be done for the person to be cleansed. He asked the priests this in verse 13. They answered him saying that it was true. Haggai’s simple response was “so is this people, and so is this nation before me.”
We are so surrounded by wickedness. It seems to be legislated. It’s as if people try to take the sin out of sin. When a Christian compromises himself, he becomes corrupted. If you touch a door knob that has been touched by someone with the flu, you can end up with the flu yourself. What we come in contact with can defile us. When we touch the unclean, our light as a Christian begins to dim. With the dimming of the light, the hope for the world goes down the drain.
To some extent people know the truth of God. In reality our nation only knows the truth of heaven, hell, sin, God and Jesus through us. We have to tell them. God chose Israel as his people, and through them the whole world was blessed when Jesus came to us from the nation of Israel. The gift of salvation has the unsaved as recipients. We were saved for our own sake but also for the sake of the whole world. The gift doesn’t stop with you and me. Because we’re saved we have the power inside us that needs to be passed on. God uses us like he did Israel. Through our witness others can find Jesus. When we fall away, the light goes out and the witness stops. What we make of God and the life he’s given us is what people in our little part of the world see. If we abuse what we have in the Lord, that’s what they see. If we live godly and let our light shine, then that’s what the people see.
My nation needs Jesus. My nation needs me to be the Christian me. In order for others to receive Jesus, they need to hear about him from you and me. I don’t want to get in anyone’s way to salvation. Our nation needs us because the people need Jesus. It’s wicked, but don’t think you might as well quit praying. Now is the time to pray.
Be conformed to the will of God. Let’s do our best to shine in this dark world. We might be surprised at who comes out of the dark!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 