Jesus and the Money Changers
James 2:1-7
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
The War on Jerusalem, by Francesco Hayez
Psalm 50
The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
We have always said in our blog Scripture for Today, God forgave the people who crucified Jesus and Jerusalem was sacked at 70 A.D. Surely God would not undo the work of Jesus to heal and build up these people. However, 70 A.D. was a new generation. Jesus was still being blasphemed in the Sadduceen Council, you can see these Talmudic records still in Scotland today. He was dishonored. Still being dragged into their court, still being declared to have had a fair trial. His Mother Mary still being defamed. The advice of Gamaliel disregarded.
Acts 5:34-39
34 A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men[a] to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. 36 Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following.[b] That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. 38 And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him.
The Temple became more corrupt.
These steps had 13 Contribution Steps. This ended where Women could enter the Temple. Jesus witnessed the poor widow but her coins here. The trumpets made noise to "show" alms and prevent theft.
The inner area of the Temple contained three courts. The easternmost court was the Court of the Women, and it contained the Temple treasury where people donated their money (Mk 12:41-44). Three gates led into this court, one on the north, one on the south, and a third on the east. This third gate on the east side is almost certainly the "Beautiful Gate" that was mention in Acts 3. A fourth gate, which was much larger and ornate led from the Court of the Women west into the Court of Israel (women could proceed no further), which was elevated 15 steps higher than the Court of Women.
The 13 Contribution Chests (Trumpets)
According to the Mishnah (Middoth 2,5) the Women's Court was was just over 200 feet square between bounding lines. Each court on the outside was 60 feet square. The colonnade ran around the court, and within it, against the wall, the thirteen chests, or 'trumpets,' for charitable contributions were placed.
These thirteen chests were narrow at the mouth and wide at the bottom, shaped like trumpets. There were actually eleven treasure chests of the Temple for the voluntary offerings of money, and then also two at the Gates, for the half-shekel tax.
Their specific objects were carefully marked on them. Nine were for the receipt of what was legally due by worshipers; the other four for strictly voluntary gifts.
Trumpets 1 and 2 were appropriated to the half-shekel Temple-tribute of the current and of the past year.
Into Trumpet 3 those women brought turtledoves for a burnt / sin offering dropped their equivalent in money, which was daily taken out and a corresponding number of turtledoves offered. This saved the labor of steps and allowed modesty of those who might not wish to have their offering publicly known. This trumpet, Mary the mother of Jesus, dropped her offering (Luke 2:22,24) when the aged Simeon took the infant Savior 'in his arms, and blessed God.'
Josephus records a unique history of the The Court of Women! This curved staircase of fifteen steps led up to the Nicanor Gate (m. Mid. 1.4; 2.6). According to Josephus, this gate was larger than the other nine gates (being fifty cubits high with doors forty cubits wide); its doors were supposed to have been made of Corinthian bronze (War 5.201) and it took twenty men to open and close it (War 6.5.3; 293). The Levites would stand on these steps when they sang the Song of Ascents (Pss 120–134), The doors lead to the Court of Israelites, where only ritually pure Jewish men could enter (Ant. 15.11.5; 419).
According to Josephus, during the Roman attack on the revolutionaries who had taken refuge in the Temple, the Nicanor Gate opened of its own accord after having been closed and bolted [War 6.5.3; 293-94].)
God was indeed finished with this Temple. When God, who is slow to anger, takes vengeance, He does not take it twice; it is not needed.
Nahum 1:9
What do you plot against the LORD?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.
Notice with me, our New Testament Bible is written while the Temple is operational. Paul writes of the sacrifice being offered daily in the Temple. These men who walked with Jesus in awe and wonder were giving up their lives before the Temple was done. Not written four hundred years later. Ryland and other papyrus show us the Word is exactly what they wrote and when. Enduring 400 hundred years of persecution to bring you the Bible in your hand today. The sacrifice ended at the natural lifetime of Jesus. God never wrote us of the end of His Holy Temple. Jesus instead told us to build. Build ourselves into the Temple of God. Well worth remembering. The God of Love.
2nd Century A.D. Capernaum Synagogue
The Pillar reads the Son of Alphaeus, the son of Zebedee, the son of John. Later century.
James was not lightly expressing an option, he grown up with Jesus as his brother. James gave us 5 chapters on what he learned. Jesus did not push the wealthy out. Peter and Andrew were very well to do according to the size and placement of their home - next door to the Synagogue. Matthew was a wealthy tax collector. Jesus felt that God sets color, class, careers, social status and even, Simon the Zealot's, political motivations aside. God is not anti-nepotism - James and John were sons of Zebedee (listed as a Synagogue contributor, perhaps later family). We find Herod's higher ups contribute to Jesus. Acts finds this to be true too.
Our Abba,
We ask Jesus to pray with us.
Psalm 138
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3
When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
4
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
6
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8
The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Father, we thank You for Your Word about the Holiness of Your Plans. We feel encouraged to
know Jesus Boldly.
Jesus could move not only mountains, but clear 36 acres of the Temple. Our God is Mighty to Save.
Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Our Father God, You answer prayers and strengthen us.
Your Armor and Word of God is Power and Strength.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him,
and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
We invite You, our Father God to dwell in us and those we Love. And in the prayer we increase the Holy Spirit by sincere invitation, we ask.
Father God, in Your Might, the prayers of the faithful cover, cover, cover the earth with God daily. Father God, we delight with You, again, the absolute Goodness You see in Your Creation yesterday, today and tomorrow. We ask for health all through out our bodies, arms, hearing, seeing, and the heart You give us. Thank You.
Care for those we Love. Guide, Lead, Protect and Nurture. And the people You have given us, we give Blessing to in Jesus. For employment pleasing to You. Neighborhoods giving You joy. Cities, Churches and our Nation. Knowing You cover our lives with Your Word. Covering the world.
Your Way is Strength. Thank You.
Father delight in us as You did in Creation. We love You. Amen in Jesus.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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