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The Temple moneychangers and merchandisers, more than anyone else on record, angered our Saviour. They and others, no doubt, saw their "ministry" as a very useful one. Jews from all over the world visited the Temple and inevitably there were currency exchange issues which frequently emerged.
Likewise, those selling the sacrificial animals offered a very real service in the eyes of most. Otherwise, they would have been removed prior to Jesus.
What did our Lord detect in their harmless looking "ministries" which enraged him so?
What if they had rendered their services on a voluntary, non-profit basis?
What can we learn from this holy outburst of righteous anger?
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” John 2:13-16
quote:Originally posted by D Anderson: The Temple moneychangers and merchandisers, more than anyone else on record, angered our Saviour.
D.Anderson, I have of late been really thinking about this, and here you post on it. I guess I have a question or three, if it's okay? I was wondering, do you think The Lord is about to do this again with the tithing issue in the church? Do you think the IC today is doing the same thing in regards to tithing, (turning The House of The Lord into a for profit business)? Were there not those in The New Testament that were preaching The Gospel for "filthy lucre's sake." Do you think there is anything else this seems to fit as a sort of prophetic word for today?
P.S. I just Googled Tithing, and there were "about 1,060,000 for tithing [definition] in (0.14 seconds)." Seems like The Word's getting out... storm's comin'.
A heretic for Christ, Matthew
-------------------- Hope with abandon, all ye who enter here!
quote: Q1. What did our Lord detect in their harmless looking "ministries" which enraged him so?
A1. Many things. There was extortion practiced to the benefit of the priests. 'The worshipers had been taught to believe that if they did not offer sacrifice, the blessing of God would not rest on their children or their lands. Thus a high price for the animals could be secured; for after coming so far, the people would not return to their homes without performing the act of devotion for which they had come.' (Desire of Ages, p.155). There was a perversion of the temple service which in its purity was to represent God dwelling in humanity as his temple. There was confusion and so much noisy commotion that the prayers were disturbed. There was standing in their midst the One whom was represented by these services and yet He was not noticed.
quote: Q2. What if they had rendered their services on a voluntary, non-profit basis?
A2. It was a needful practice. Since many came from far away they were allowed (by God) to bring money to purchase sacrificial animals in Jerusalem. I suppose that even if a small duty was collected it would not have enraged our Lord.
quote: Q3. What can we learn from this holy outburst of righteous anger?
A3. There is much we can learn. I can not even scratch the surface. But one thing we should learn is not to get so involved in religion that we forget who we are worshiping. Another thing is that this scene is for our edification today and has application in our life. God is angry with those who defile the temple of God--use it for their own gain, ignore his desire to be present within--and he will destroy them. (1 Cor 3:16,17).
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