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BUYERS AND SELLERS DRIVEN OUT
WE are apt to think that we receive no benefit from what we read or hear, unless it produce an immediate effect upon us: but the word, like seed, often springs up long after it has been sown. God often brings it to our minds by some great and singular occurrence: and then we see a beauty and importance in it which we never saw before. The Apostles themselves forgat many things which were spoken to them by our Lord, till the Holy Spirit brought them to their remembrance. They had often heard the Psalms read in their synagogues; but probably never reflected on the passage before us, till our Lord’s conduct suggested it to their minds, and cast the true light upon it.
We shall consider,
I. The circumstances which brought these words to their remembrance—
Our Lord, for the first time after his entrance on his public character, went up to Jerusalem at the Passover. There he found that the temple of God was scandalously profaned; and he immediately set himself to rectify the abuses that were there tolerated—
[The outer court of the temple was appropriated to the use of the Gentiles: but many of the Jews had rendered it a place of merchandize. There they exposed for sale the cattle that were proper to be offered in sacrifice, and stationed themselves with tables of money for the accommodation of the strangers who might want to exchange their foreign coin [Note: Every one had occasion for a half shekel for the service of the temple, Exo_3:13-16.]. Thus they insulted the Gentiles and greatly dishonoured God. To correct this evil, our Lord exerted his divine authority. He drove out the cattle, and ordered the doves to be removed. He overturned the tables of money, and commanded all the traders to depart; nor did any of the people dare to oppose his sovereign command.]
This act of his could not fail of attracting universal notice:
It discovered,
1. His holy indignation against sin—
[Such a profanation of the temple was indeed a grievous sin: nor could his righteous soul behold it without the utmost abhorrence. His anger was justly excited by the indignity offered to his Father. To have felt it less, would have been a crime; and to have refrained from manifesting it, a mark of cowardice. We indeed are not called to manifest our displeasure in the same authoritative way; but we should never behold sin but with pain and grief; nor can our indignation be ever sinful, provided it be directed against sin as its object, and be felt only in proportion to the malignity of the offence committed. We can never err, if we follow the example of those eminent saints [Note: Psa_119:53; Psa_119:136; Psa_119:158. Jer_9:1.]—.]
2. His courageous zeal for God—
[The priests themselves were accessary to the dishonour done to God: if they did not encourage it for gain, they at least promoted it by connivance. Thus they, no less than the traders, were interested in maintaining the abuse, and, no doubt, would be forward to uphold it with all their power; but Jesus feared not the face of men, though all should combine against him. He resolutely determined to suppress these gross abominations, and, without any regard to consequences, set himself to perform his duty. Thus should we move undaunted in the way of duty; nor ever be deterred from it by the dictates of carnal policy [Note: Jer_1:17.].]
3. A miraculous power over the minds of men—
[What but this could prevent their rising against him? He detected their hypocrisy, reproved their impiety, mortified their pride, opposed their interests, and loaded them with disgrace. He did this singly, unarmed, unsupported, and in opposition to the existing authorities: yet, behold, they were all constrained to yield submission to his will. We cannot doubt but that he miraculously overawed their minds: nor was this a less exertion of omnipotence than any other of the miracles which he wrought.]
The sight of these things particularly affected his immediate followers, and brought to their recollection a portion of Scripture which they had never before noticed,
II. The words themselves—
The words were justly quoted in reference to Christ—
[In their primary sense indeed they had their accomplishment in David. David elsewhere expresses in very strong terms his zeal for God [Note: Psa_101:3-8.]: nor can we forget how he manifested it when he danced before the ark [Note: 2Sa_6:14.]. But David confessedly personates the Messiah: some parts are applicable to himself, and some to Christ, alone [Note: Psa_69:5. cannot well be applied to any but David; nor can ver. 21. to any but Christ. It is thus that the literal and prophetical parts of scripture are continually intermixed.]. The words before us may very properly be applied to both; indeed the strength of the terms would almost lead us to confine them to Christ. His holy soul was inflamed with incessant zeal for God’s honour; nor did he ever suffer one opportunity of promoting his glory to pass unimproved. The occasion now before us called forth the strongest exertions of his zeal, and manifested the full accomplishment of this prophecy in his person.]
They are also replete with useful instruction to us—
They reprove the shameful want of zeal amongst his followers—
[God is greatly dishonoured by men on every side: his name is blasphemed, his word despised, his authority rejected. Does it become his people to behold these things with indifference? Should they not resemble Paul when he beheld the idolaters at Athens [Note: Act_17:16.]? Should they not imitate John [Note: Mar_6:18.], and adopt the words of Jeremiah [Note: Jer_13:17.]? Should they not reprove sin in others as well as abstain from it themselves [Note: Eph_5:11.]? But how miserably defective are even good people in this particular! How often do fear or shame restrain them from bearing their testimony for God! Alas! what a sad contrast does our conduct form with that of our Lord! Have we not reason then to be ashamed, and mourn for our neglect? But many, so far from rebuking sin in others, indulge it in themselves: even in the very house of God they harbour worldly and carnal thoughts; nor are at all concerned to have their hearts purified from vile affections. Surely this cannot but be most offensive to the heart-searching God. Let us remember the solemn caution given us by the Apostle [Note: 1Co_3:17.]—. With respect to others, let us never presume to use the petulant language of Cain [Note: Gen_4:9.]—, but rather endeavour to obey the injunction which God has given us [Note: Lev_19:17.]—; and, with respect to ourselves, let us seek in all things that conformity to Christ which is required of us [Note: 1Jn_2:6.]—.]
They afford us a proper example for our imitation—
[Phinehas of old was called to execute the judgment he inflicted on Zimri [Note: He was a ruler himself, and acted by the command of the chief magistrate. Compare 1Ch_9:20. Num_25:5; Num_25:7-8.]. Thus Jesus, as the Prophet of the Most High, was called to vindicate God’s honour. In the same manner we should do whatever our place and station require: we must not all take on ourselves the office of magistrates, or assume the authority which does not belong to our situation and circumstances. Our zeal must be regulated by the word of God. It must be in a good cause; and in support of truth and virtue [Note: Rom_10:2.]: it must be pure; and free from bigotry, ostentation, or wrath [Note: 2Ki_10:16.]: it must be discreet, not precipitating us into unbecoming conduct [Note: Jude, ver. 22, 23.]: it must be proportioned, in a measure, to the occasion that excites it; and it must be uniform, opposing sin in ourselves, as much as in others [Note: Rev_3:19.]. Such a zeal as this cannot be too vigorously maintained [Note: Rom_12:11.]. An intemperate zeal will injure the cause it attempts to serve; but that which is duly tempered with meekness and wisdom, will be productive of much good [Note: Gal_4:18.]. Let us then check the unhallowed zeal that would call fire from heaven [Note: Luk_9:54.], and cherish that which is meek, humble, pious and benevolent [Note: Jam_3:17.]. Thus shall we approve ourselves to be God’s peculiar people [Note: Tit_2:14.]; and, while we please our God, shall be a blessing to all around us.]