November 21

OT -- Ezekiel 42:1-43:27
This whole section on the measurements of the temple -- the various gates, porticoes, porches etc -- is taken from 2 Kings. It was meant as a reminder that once men had built the temple and it had immediately been desecrated. Now, God was going to build it and it would be pure.
You can see, reading Ezekiel, why Paul would use the whole imagery of Jesus' being our temple. Yes, the temple was rebuilt and grandly although not as lovely as Solomon's temple. But even that Temple was filled with sin and degradation -- the scene where Jesus drives the moneychangers from the Temple is one of the 7 stories that is in all 4 Gospels. Clearly made a deep, deep impression.
In order to have a pure, holy Temple, well, you need a pure, holy space. And that is only inhabited by pure, holy people, i.e. Jesus.

NT -- James 5:1-20
Many, many times I have heard vs. 12-16. As a matter of fact, it was the NT scripture for Joe B's sermon this past Sunday. Click here if you want to watch it. One of his best yet. To skip straight to the sermon, it is at minute 12.
But back to the scripture. What really interests me is the preceding verses -- 1-11. Full of condemnation of the rich taking advantage on the poor. Gosh, I am getting it at every turn, first from Proverbs yesterday, now this.
Maybe this is a nice way for God to say -- quit my proverbial worrying about money and get on with the business of helping others.
It's juxataposition with the whole 'pray for whatever is happening' in your life is why it struck me this evening.
This is one of the fascinating things that I have found reading the scriptures this year. There are so many favorite quotes and passages that have been lifted straight out of context.
And so many harsh passages that we, who are so incredibly blessed to be Americans, don't want to hear or heed.
Bad enough with the rich young ruler, we definitely don't want the wham over the top of the head by James.