Contrasting Fruits of Rebellion and of Faith

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Devotions: Ps 45, 47, 48; Deut 9:4-12; Heb 3:1-11; Jn 2:13-22

The Sons of Korah extol God’s chosen: ‘You are the fairest of men; grace and blessing, might and majesty are bestowed on you by our God. Your rule is eternal; You work justice for Your people; and You are anointed with the oil of gladness. Let the princess attend her Consort. May You be blessed with many sons; may Your rule extend for ever! Let us celebrate YHWH, the awesome Ruler of all things. Sing praises to God and to His Son. Let all earthly authorities bow to the Most High. Great is YHWH and greatly to be praised! Let us go to His holy city and wonder at the majesty of our God, our King and Guide for ever and ever!’

God has provided for His people; He has thrust out other nations to make room for His own—not because of our virtue, but because of their wickedness. YHWH keeps His word, as given to the patriarchs. But His people are stubborn! Let us not provoke the holy wrath of God as the Hebrews did in the wilderness and at Horeb. How soon the elect turn from the One Who chose them! Be warned and repent of idolatry.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. He is faithful as a Son over God’s household, as Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s household. We believers are God’s house—if we hold fast our confidence and pride in Jesus, our Hope. Let us obey the Spirit: ‘Do not harden your hearts as in the days of rebellion. For rebels will never enter the rest God offers!’

At the time of Passover, Jesus went to the Jerusalem temple, and confronted those profaning it. He drove out those who were selling livestock and pigeons, and the money-changers: ‘You shall not make My Father’s house a place of trade!’ He was consumed by zeal for the holiness of God and God’s house. Just as Jesus predicted, the earthly temple fell and has not returned; but just as Jesus predicted, the true Temple, was cast down and raised again in a three-day period.