A Greater Glory. Part 4.

There are different kinds of things happening around us and if we desire to remain relevant, then we must be sensitive to the unfolding of these things. The word of the Lord from verse 10 to 14 began to address a serious concern in this verses. It started by saying,

“On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,

11 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask now the priests to decide this question of law:

12 If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt or the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God’s service exclusively]? And the priests answered, No! [Holiness is not infectious.].”

According to this passage in the Old Testament, the holiness talked about here seems to have a limitation when it comes in contact with something or someone that is already defied and known to be dedicated to the holy service of God. This is the reason why one must be careful to keep himself undefiled.

The word of the went on to say in verses 13 and 14,

“Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [Unholiness is infectious.]

14 Then answered Haggai, So is this people and so is this nation before Me, says the Lord; and so is every work of their hands, and what they offer there [on the altar] is unclean [because they who offer it are themselves unclean].”

It became a serious task for one to walk in real holiness according to this passage and don’t forget, this was until the coming and sacrifice of the Lord was done. There was very little that even the priest can do to change the situation. But with the coming of the Lord Jesus, a great and glorious change was established. In the book of Acts chapter 10, from verse 44, the word of the Lord says,

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles]. “

The Spirit of the Lord took over the meeting while Peter was still speaking and this became a new and glorious confirmation of the move of God. See what the Lord did and on whom the Lord came upon between verse 45 to 47,

“All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and exalting and magnifying and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone refuse water for these people to be baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”

Before the move of God in the Acts of the apostles following, it was not known that the Holy Spirit will manifest His presence and gifts in the lives of those who are not Jews. But when it was time, Peter was still speaking when God Almighty caused the release of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the people and they were all amazed.

Beloved, when the Spirit of the Lord rested on the lives that were once defied, the glory of the Lord was amazingly established. That which was impossible yesterday, with the coming of the Lord, everything was changed. Hallelujah!