Haggai 2:10-23 // Let's Keep Going Forward

Devotional

Day 1: True Holiness Comes from Internal Transformation, Not Association

A real relationship with God is not achieved by simply being in the right place or associating with religious activities, but by an internal transformation of the heart. Just as wearing a football jersey doesn't make someone a football player, attending church or surrounding oneself with Christian things does not make one truly set apart for God. Holiness is not transferred by proximity; it is cultivated by intentionally surrendering to God and allowing Him to change us from the inside out. [47:32]

Haggai 2:10-14 (ESV)
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been relying on association with Christian things or people, rather than allowing God to transform your heart from within?

Day 2: Blessing Follows When God Is in the Right Place in Our Lives

God’s blessing and favor are not automatic; they come when we intentionally put Him at the center of our lives and build our relationship with Him above all else. The Israelites returned to their land but did not experience blessing until they prioritized rebuilding the temple, symbolizing God’s rightful place in their community. When we focus our purpose on God, everything else finds its proper place, and we begin to experience the effectiveness and fruitfulness that only He can bring. [55:20]

Haggai 2:15-19 (ESV)
“Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally put God at the center of your life today, rather than just fitting Him in around your own plans?

Day 3: Righteousness Requires Intentional Pursuit, Not Passive Association

Righteousness and holiness do not happen by accident or by simply being around holy things; they require deliberate, purposeful pursuit and surrender to God’s will. Just as a clean child cannot make dirty toys clean by touching them, we cannot become holy by association or by performing religious rituals. Instead, we must choose to internalize the love and truth of Jesus, allowing His Spirit to transform us and guide our actions. [57:33]

Romans 2:28-29 (ESV)
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been content with outward displays of faith, and how can you pursue a deeper, Spirit-led transformation of your heart?

Day 4: God’s Favor Is Found in Relationship, Not Just Provision

God’s blessing is not merely about material provision or outward success, but about His favor and presence as we align ourselves with His will. The Israelites had to wait for the fruit of their labor, learning that the true blessing was not just in what they received, but in being in right relationship with God. Even when the results are not immediately visible, God’s favor rests on those who have made Him their foundation, and the fruit will come in His time. [01:06:08]

Haggai 2:19b (ESV)
“But from this day on I will bless you.”

Reflection: When you think about God’s blessing, do you focus more on what you want Him to give you, or on the privilege of being in relationship with Him? How can you shift your focus today?

Day 5: Let God Build His Temple in Your Heart

The ultimate purpose is not just to be in the right place or do the right things, but to let God establish His presence within you, making your life His temple. God desires steadfast love and a heart that seeks Him above all else, not just outward sacrifices or religious performance. When you surrender your heart and let Him dwell within you, everything you do will be under His favor and authority, and your life will bear fruit that lasts. [01:14:40]

Hosea 6:6 (ESV)
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Reflection: What is one area of your heart that you have been holding back from God, and how can you invite Him to build His temple there today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s passage from Haggai 2:10-23 invites us to reflect on what it truly means to be transformed by God, rather than simply being in the right place or doing the right things. The Israelites had returned from exile to Jerusalem, but their city and temple lay in ruins. God, through Haggai, challenges them—and us—not to assume that proximity to holy things or participation in religious activities automatically restores our relationship with Him. Just as wearing a football jersey doesn’t make someone a football player, being in the promised land didn’t make the Israelites a promised people again. True transformation is an internal work, not an external association.

God uses Haggai to teach that holiness is not contagious by contact, but corruption is. The Israelites’ neglect of the temple reflected a deeper neglect of their relationship with God. Their lack of blessing and fruitfulness was not due to their location, but their spiritual condition. God reminds them of the ancient covenant: obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings frustration and loss. Yet, in His mercy, God promises that as they begin to rebuild the temple and re-center their lives on Him, blessing will follow—even if the fruit is not immediately visible.

This passage calls us to examine our own lives. Are we content with cultural Christianity—attending church, listening to Christian music, or associating with believers—without true heart transformation? God desires to build His temple within us, making our hearts His dwelling place. The blessing He offers is not just material provision, but His favor and presence. Sometimes, the fruit of obedience takes time to appear, but the promise remains: when God is in His rightful place in our lives, everything else finds its proper order.

God’s restoration is not just about returning to a place or a set of practices, but about becoming a people marked by His presence. Like Zerubbabel, who led a discouraged remnant, we may not see the grand scope of God’s plan, but our faithfulness in rebuilding—internally and communally—becomes part of His redemptive story. God’s favor rests on those who allow Him to build His temple within, and through this, He brings about transformation, blessing, and purpose beyond what we could imagine.

Key Takeaways

1. Holiness is not transferred by association, but corruption often is. Just as touching something holy doesn’t make other things holy, but touching something unclean spreads impurity, we cannot expect to become righteous simply by being near holy people or places. True holiness requires intentional transformation, not passive proximity. [51:17]
2. God’s blessing follows right relationship, not just right activity. The Israelites’ lack of fruitfulness was a result of neglecting their relationship with God, not their physical location or efforts. When we prioritize God’s presence and purposes, even before we see tangible results, His favor begins to work in unseen ways. [52:59]
3. Cultural Christianity is a subtle danger. It’s easy to mistake external markers—church attendance, Christian language, or social associations—for genuine faith. But God desires a circumcision of the heart, a deep internal change that only His Spirit can produce, rather than outward conformity or performance. [58:27]
4. The fruit of transformation often takes time to appear. Like the Israelites who had to wait through a season before seeing the harvest, we may not immediately see the results of putting God first. Yet, God’s blessing is present in the waiting, and His favor is more about our position in His will than our possessions or circumstances. [66:08]
5. Restoration is about identity, not just activity or location. God’s promise to Zerubbabel and the remnant was not just about rebuilding a physical temple, but about restoring their identity as His chosen people. When we allow God to build His temple within us, we become part of His redemptive plan, carrying His authority, favor, and purpose into the world. [72:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:06] - Women’s Event Announcement
[22:56] - Welcoming New Church Family
[23:40] - Meet and Greet
[40:05] - Board Update and Prayer for Marianne and Louie
[44:24] - Holding onto God’s Promises in Hardship
[45:11] - State Farm Commercial and Identity
[47:09] - True Identity: More Than Association
[48:14] - Haggai’s Context: Returning from Exile
[49:38] - Rebuilding Amidst Ruins
[50:16] - Haggai’s Parable: Holiness and Contamination
[51:41] - The Danger of Assumed Relationship
[55:49] - Righteousness Requires Intentionality
[57:59] - The Pitfall of Cultural Christianity
[60:07] - Holiness by Transformation, Not Association
[66:08] - Waiting for the Fruit of Obedience
[70:18] - God’s Temple Within Us
[72:41] - Restoration, Identity, and God’s Favor
[74:40] - God Desires Steadfast Love Over Sacrifice
[75:21] - Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Haggai 2:10-23 (ESV) —
> 10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. 15 Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.” 20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”

Observation Questions

In Haggai’s parable to the priests, what is the difference between how holiness and uncleanness are “transferred” by contact? (vv. 12-13) [[50:16]]
According to the passage, what was the real reason the Israelites were not experiencing God’s blessing and fruitfulness? [[52:59]]
What promise does God make to the people as they begin to rebuild the temple, even though they haven’t yet seen any fruit? (vv. 18-19) [[52:37]]
What does God say to Zerubbabel at the end of the passage, and what does the “signet ring” represent? (vv. 20-23) [[01:12:41]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God emphasizes that holiness is not contagious, but corruption is? How does this challenge the way people sometimes approach church or religious activities? [[51:17]]
The Israelites were back in the promised land, but God says their offerings and work were still “unclean.” What does this reveal about the difference between external actions and internal transformation? [[51:41]]
The sermon compared “cultural Christianity” to wearing a football jersey without actually being a player. In what ways can Christians today fall into the trap of external association without real heart change? [[58:27]]
God’s promise of blessing comes before the fruit is visible. What does this teach about the nature of obedience and waiting on God’s timing? [[01:06:08]]

Application Questions

The sermon warned that being near holy things or people doesn’t make us holy. Are there ways you’ve relied on “proximity” to faith—like church attendance, Christian music, or Christian friends—without letting God transform your heart? What would it look like to move from association to transformation? [[59:46]]
God challenged the Israelites to consider their ways and recognize that their lack of blessing was tied to neglecting their relationship with Him. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been frustrated or unfruitful? Could this be connected to your priorities or spiritual condition? [[52:59]]
The sermon described “cultural Christianity” as a subtle danger. What are some “Christian” habits or activities you do out of routine or social expectation, rather than genuine faith? How can you invite God to make these real in your heart? [[58:27]]
Sometimes, the fruit of obedience takes time to appear. Is there something you’re waiting on God for right now? How can you stay encouraged and faithful even when you don’t see immediate results? [[01:06:08]]
God’s restoration is about identity, not just activity or location. How do you define your identity—as a child of God, or by what you do or where you are? What would it look like to let God “build His temple” in your heart this week? [[01:12:41]]
The sermon mentioned that God’s blessing is more about our position in His will than our possessions or circumstances. How can you shift your focus from what you have to where you are with God? [[01:06:08]]
Zerubbabel and the remnant probably didn’t see the big picture of God’s plan, but their faithfulness became part of His redemptive story. Is there a small act of faithfulness you can take this week, trusting that God can use it for something bigger than you can see? [[01:13:50]]

Sermon Clips

You can't become holy by association. For the Israelites, they had to learn that being in the holy land doesn't make you holy. It just doesn't. Just because it was the promised land. Doesn't mean they became a promised people once again. [00:59:46] (16 seconds) #HolinessIsNotLocation

Until the Lord is in the proper place in your life, your work will not be blessed. Period. You can only become holy by transformation. This is the internalized choice to receive Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life. And to ask him to save you from your brokenness and to receive his sacrifice for your sins. To be in right relationship with God. [01:00:12] (26 seconds) #TransformationPrecedesBlessing

Why is it only by transformation that our work becomes blessed? Because you don't have the power on your own to make unclean things clean. You just don't. It has nothing to do with your expertise or skill or discipline. But your faithfulness to God's will in your life. That's how it happens. [01:00:39] (21 seconds) #FaithfulnessOverSkill

The blessing isn't just God's provision. It's God's favor. We think our need is first and foremost our possessions. But it's actually our position. In his will. This is why some of the earliest seasons of authentic discipleship, authentic following of Jesus are so tough. You have died to your old self and your old plans. And you've received the truth and love of God. But after this initial newness and freshness, you are struggling to not fall back into old habits and patterns. That's because you've ripped out the old plants. You took them out. You've tilled the soil. And you scattered the seeds into them. But they are still germinating. The dirt is still wet. And the ground is still bare. Because good fruit takes time. [01:06:13] (49 seconds) #FavorIsPositionNotPossession

You may be in the right place, but are you back in the right relationship? Because the fruit doesn't come from hanging out in the temple. The fruit comes when we build the temple in ourselves. Just the same, the fruit doesn't come when we're just in the church. Let me be clear, the church is a necessary and effective way to grow as a believer. It is the hope of the world. But it only works when you have asked the Lord to establish His temple in your own soul. [01:09:48] (28 seconds) #RightPlaceRightRelationship

``Because they begun the good work. Because they desired to honor and glorify God. They knew they could never rebuild the temple, at least they thought, to resemble the glory and splendor of Solomon's. But God said, I'm going to make it even better. Because the best work is happening within you. It's not just where you are or what you do that changes your identity. It's who you are what you have given your life and your heart over to. Make the choice today. Let him build his temple in your heart. This is always his plan and this was always your purpose. [01:13:46] (41 seconds) #GodRestoresIdentity

Let me build my temple in you. And let me become something that dwells within you. Put me in the right place in your life. And it's not just blessing that you will see. It will be my favor. And everything you do will be under my umbrella. And my authority and my purpose is for your life. And it will be an effectiveness that you never imagined could be possible. Because it's not you. It's my Holy Spirit. [01:14:57] (27 seconds) #BestWorkIsWithin

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