“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says: If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?’ ”
The priests answered, “No.”
Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”
“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.”
Then Haggai said, “So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the LORD. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.” Haggai 2:11-14 (NIV)

Okay, this seems like some strange verses for us to apply to our time. In this passage, the exiled people of Judah have returned to Jerusalem and have attempted to rebuild the Temple which had been destroyed. However, the people are disappointed by what they have achieved.

As I understand what the prophet Haggai is saying to his people is basically: “If the people haven’t consecrated themselves to God, how can they expect to build a Temple befitting the glory of God.”
How does that apply to us?
If we as a people of God do not clean up our own act, how can we expect the rest of the world to do so? Can we really expect revival? Can we expect the world to turn to our God?
If our actions and our messages to the world are filled with hate, infidelity, corruption, greed, and the like, we are building an awful example of a Temple. It is true that we are imperfect and none of us is without sin. However, the Bible tells us that everyone will know us if we love one another (John 13:35). Love covers a multitude of sins (1Peter 4:8).
Not saying we should tolerate sin, but the first place to weed it out is in ourselves.

Zephaniah 3:11-12 On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no
longer be rebels against me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from
among you. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain. Those who
are left will be the lowly and humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the
LORD.
Zephaniah was an Old Testament prophet that spoke of God’s judgment on the earth and called
for people to repent before the great and terrible day of the Lord. The prophet places heavy
emphasis on the sin of pride.
We live in a time when pride is not just rampart; it is encouraged; and celebrated. We are told
to take pride in ourselves, pride in our work; pride in our beliefs; pride in what we deem are
strengths; pride in our weaknesses; and pride in our sins.
Don’t get me started with the pride in all the letters. LGBTQ, MARC, CERN, YMCA, KFC, NCAA,
AARP, and I can’t ignore an organization that identifies itself with three reoccurring letters and
has an affinity for white sheets. (Though, I must admit that I am especially fond of KFC, but I
digress). We are told to take pride in just about everything.
I can’t help but wonder, did the Proud Boys celebrate Pride Month?
Regardless, the Bible points out over and over the folly of pride. In no uncertain terms the Bible
says pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Psalm 16:18). Pretty sure
that hasn’t changed.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) KJV
Some years ago, I was managing a highway maintenance crew. Among our jobs was to repair signs, guard rails, pot holes, etc. We also would be called out to close lanes, divert traffic, and set up barriers for emergency crews.
One time I was taking a crew out to work on repairing some guard rail. We had several trucks. Along the way I spotted a sign that needed to be turned. I pulled my truck off the road and called my foreman to go on to the damaged rail, and I as soon as I turned the sign, I’d be there.
The other two trucks disappeared over a hill. Almost as soon as they were out of sight, I heard a loud crash.
I was quickly out of the truck and turned the sign. It took only a few moments. As I was getting back into the truck, A TexDot supervisor pulled up and rolled down his window.
He called to me. “Preacher man, we need you down the road and hurry.”
It was no secret that most of the workers on the highway knew I would drive the length of the highway that we covered and pray.

I got in my truck and followed the TexDot supervisor. As we went over the hill, I saw a horrific accident had occurred. An elderly lady was driving west and had crossed the median and hit an oncoming semi going east. She had hit the back end of the semi and completely knocked the tandem axles and wheels off. Her car was totally destroyed.
This was the first time I had ever been to an accident with a fatality. The Texdot supervisor was out of his truck and called to me. “Pray preacher. Pray.”
Emergency crews were not yet there. However, traffic was backing up quickly. From the other side of the highway a pastor from a local church came jogging up.
“I’ll pray with you.” He said.
When we got to the car, the scene up close was even more horrific. The pastor was visibly shaken, literally. He put his hand on my shoulder while I prayed. I said the 23rd Psalm and said that we committed her spirit to God, and I asked that God be with her family.
We then walked over to the truck driver who was physically unhurt. He was shaking and crying. I prayed for him as an emergency crew showed up and took him to their ambulance.

As we were walking back to our vehicles the pastor said to me, “I never saw anything like that. When I saw that poor woman, I couldn’t think of a single Bible verse. I couldn’t think of a single thing to say to God.”
I said, “The truth be told, I couldn’t either. But I just said the name Jesus to myself. Whenever I’m at a loss for words in praying, I just say “Jesus”, and I keep on saying it until God gives me something else to say; even if I have to say it out loud. Sometimes all you can do is call on the Name of Jesus and let Him do the rest.

Psalm 119:165
Great peace have they which love the Law; and nothing shall offend them. (KJV)
I heard this scripture quoted to someone. (I won’t say who, as family and friends might wonder why it was quoted).
Since then this scripture (King James Version) has been on my mind. We seem to live in a time where everything seems to offend someone. I thought I would look into this a little deeper.
Upon checking it out, I couldn’t help but notice most translations of the Bible do not say offend. They say “stumble” or “stumbling block” or some version related to stumbling. (Though, one translation says “no scandal” and another “no sickness”.
It then occurred to me that all of the above are true. When we take offense, a stumbling block does occur. This stumbling block interferes with our perception world and the way we interact in it.

That, in turn, sets us up to stray from a Godly viewpoint to a worldly viewpoint. We then can be more easily be influenced by those who have taken the same offense. How we think and act can change our relationships and our actions. We stumble away from our anointed and appointed lives.
What’s more, when we take offense and/or stumble, we become a stumbling block to others, directly and indirectly. I probably don’t need to probe that idea further.
If we can reduce offense and stumbling, how can we not have more peace with man and God.

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” Joshua 5:13-14 (NIV)

In these verses Moses has already led the Israelites to the Promised Land. However, he dies and Joshua has taken over. It is up to him to lead the people into the land promised them. However, the fortified city of Jericho stands at the border of this land. The city must fall before they can enter. Joshua goes off by himself as he ponders and prays what to do.

Joshua encounters a man who identifies Himself as commander of the Lord’s army. In reply to Joshua, he says he is neither on the side of Joshua nor the armies of Jericho. This seems strange as God surely told Moses to go into this land.

During the War Between the States, Abraham Lincoln was supposedly asked if he thought God was on his side. Lincoln replied, “Sir, my concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”
No matter how noble our cause; no matter how right are minds tell us we are; no matter how much scripture we quote; we must always make sure that we are on God’s side and handling our affairs in a way God wants.
In particular, we must remember that everyone who hates who we hate is not our friend. The times and tides change, but the will of God does not. In everything we must be keenly aware of what side we truly are on.

Habakkuk 1:6-7
I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.
They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. (NIV)

Habakkuk was a prophet in the Old Testament. He is generally accepted as a prophet by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He posed questions to God that even today we hear over and over. Why do bad people prosper? Why do good people suffer? (Forgetting that whatever happens in this life is but a moment in time and only a sliver in eternity).

God tells Habakkuk that the people of Judah as a whole have turned from God and promoted and even celebrated things detestable to God. Since God wishes none to perish (eternally), He is sending a people more terrible than themselves; a bigger bully than the worst of them. This is not because the bully is really good; nor to save them from themselves, nor to promote their misshapen justice; nor return the people to better days.

Rather the Babylonians came to dismantle the complete workings of the system that had been far askew. This could only be rebuilt not by the Babylonians, but by the coming of the Messiah.

Nahum 1:7 (NASB) The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

You might say that the book of Nahum is the sequel to the book of Jonah (he having been swallowed by a huge fish).

The prophet Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh to tell the people they would be destroyed in 40 days. However, the people of the city repented of their wicked ways, humbled themselves and called upon God. Even though the Ninevites were not the Chosen people, since they repented, God relented.

However, sometime later (in the next century) the Ninevites returned to their evil ways. Another prophet, Nahum, gives them a word. He even points out that the Lord is a stronghold and refuge in the day of trouble. (Hint. Hint.)

This time they ignore the words of the prophet. They are full of themselves. They think they are above the justice of God, and continue in their evil with arrogance and pride.
Before that century is out, Nineveh would be abandoned. The Assyrian Empire would collapse.
I’m thinking there is a lesson to be learned here.

I asked an AI (Artificial Intelligence) what is the meaning of Micah 1:5?
The AI answered:
Here is the verse in question, from the New International Version (NIV) translation:
“All this is because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the people of Israel. What is Jacob’s transgression? Is it not Samaria? What is Judah’s high place? Is it not Jerusalem?”
The significance of Samaria and Jerusalem being the capitals of their respective nations lies in their historical and religious roles within the context of ancient Israel.
1. Samaria: Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, also known as the Kingdom of Israel or the Kingdom of Samaria. After the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel split into two separate entities: the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Samaria became the capital of the northern kingdom, and it played a central role in its political and religious life.
Throughout its history, the northern kingdom was plagued by idolatry and religious apostasy. Many of its kings led the people into worshipping foreign gods and indulging in various sinful practices. Prophets like Elijah and Elisha actively worked to call the people back to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to forsake their idolatrous ways.
The mention of Samaria in Micah 1:5 signifies the rebellious and sinful nature of the northern kingdom. The prophet Micah is warning the people about the consequences of their transgressions and the impending judgment from God due to their disobedience.
2. Jerusalem: Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah. After the division of the united kingdom, Jerusalem became the political and spiritual center of the southern kingdom. It was home to the Temple, the most sacred site in Judaism and the central place of worship for the people of Judah.
Despite Jerusalem’s significance in Jewish history, it also experienced periods of spiritual decline and unfaithfulness to God. Just like the northern kingdom, Judah faced times when its kings and people turned away from God, engaging in idol worship and social injustices.
The mention of Jerusalem in Micah 1:5 serves as a warning to the people of Judah that even though they have the Temple and claim to worship the one true God, their sins and high places of idolatry would not go unnoticed by God, and they too would face the consequences of their actions.
Overall, the significance of these capitals being mentioned in the context of Micah’s prophecy highlights the universal message that God holds all people accountable for their actions, whether they are in positions of power or centers of religious worship. The prophet’s words serve as a call to repentance and a reminder of the importance of living in obedience to God’s commands, regardless of one’s social or religious standing.

 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV)

Quoting this verse in times of trouble has made it a popular refrain among those who want to invoke the God of Heaven to intervene in their problems.

Such quotes are often accompanied by requests for others to pray for their land or nation.

It is altogether fitting that people should call upon the Name of the Lord in times of distress.  His Word encourages us to do so.  In fact, we should pray all the time.

However, there is something I would like to point out about this particular verse.

It seems God is setting down an order to the healing of the land in question.

• He is addressing the people who say they belong to Him.
• They must humble themselves – hmmm.  Is there a lot of humility going on by the people who say, “We are His.”?
• Pray – we have that down – hopefully.
• Seek My Face – that is what we ought to be doing when we pray.  Since we can’t actually see God’s Face and live (not according to Exodus 33:20), I believe that means we should seek His Presence; His will; or at least stand in His Holy Place.  Yet for us to do that the Bible says we must have clean hands and a pure heart and not trust in idols or swear by false gods – see Psalm 24.
• Turn from our wicked ways – Oh, oh.  Not only must we get cleaned up, we must want to head in the opposite direction of wickedness.

After this, the Lord says He will:

• Hear from Heaven (does that mean He wasn’t even listening to us before)?
• Forgive our sin.  Clearly He knows that we couldn’t really completely cleanse ourselves.  He has to complete that task on His own.
• Heal our land – It seems pretty clear that God’s priority here is for us to get right and return to Him.  Then, He will heal our land.  (Of course, God’s idea and ours, sometimes differ).

So, I guess it isn’t as easy as chanting a few words, shedding a languid tear, a dropping of loose change in a red pot at Christmas, or by clamoring for the vague restoration of morality by those who do not meet our standards.  It seems easier to cancel the mores of a culture or even its people by law or decree, then to cleanse the heart or renew a right spirit within our society.  And our land remains in distress.

Personally, I’m thinking that I am a real piece of work, but hopefully a piece of work progressing in the right direction.  I hope I’m not alone.

Luke 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the normal gatherings of society and was led by the Spirit into shelter-in-place 2 where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry; for food; for work; and the gathering together of the brethren.
3 The devil said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread: tell your bank account to increase, and return to your job.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
5 The devil led Him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world many of which had been nearly closed because of the virus. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, or bow down to the COVID-19, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
9 The devil led him to New York City and had him stand on the highest point of the highest building. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. Mingle with the people without a mask, hand sanitizer, or social distancing. 10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands, above all disease and virus,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone, nor will any harm come to you; and walk freely wherever you may go.”
12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until a more opportune time.