The Herodian Temple, in Messiah’s day, was a huge complex with several, layering courts and chambers. In the outer-most court, the Court of the gentiles; probably on the Eastern quadrant, near the gate, animals were brought in to be purchased for those wishing to make sacrifice.
This was in the days in preparation for the Passover. Many would come from far reaches of the known world in order to attend this holy Feast. In accordance with
, they would change their tithes and offerings into money and bring it to Jerusalem where they would buy the appropriate sacrifices (Deuteronomy 14:24, 25). Special Levitical farms were established to groom the best of all livestock for this purpose. Particularly in the days surrounding the pilgrimage festivals, they would set up shop in order to facilitate the biblical worship of those coming from far lands to worship.
Often we are faced with the decision of choosing between what is ideal and what is most practical. The Court of the gentiles was large and walled. The animals would be confined and protected. The Jewish pilgrims would have no place to hold the animals in town. It would be most convenient for them to purchase the animals and immediately proceed into the Temple grounds to offer sacrifice.
The Court of the gentiles was not part of the biblical model. After the Maccabean revolt, the gentile was separated out from the Jewish community until he could be fully proselytized into Judaism. The Court of the gentiles was a place where he could come to learn and listen under the teachings of the scholars; but he could not enter in to participate in the sacrificial system.
Messiah Yeshua quotes Isaiah 56:7 which also states, "…My House shall be a House of Prayer for all people." The Court of the gentiles, while intending to facilitate gentile conversion to Judaism was, in fact a barrier to the invitation of faith. This is the middle wall of partition that Paul speaks of being broken down in Ephesians 2:14 (that which separates Jew from gentile). The marketing of animals for sacrifice in a Court of the gentiles, the only place available for gentile prayers, would be a flagrant display of dichotomy: here is what you cannot share in. This would hardly be a facilitator for worshipful prayer.
The explanation of this action, John refers to Psalm 69:9.
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
(Joh 2:17 KJV)
In this Psalm of David, he speaks as one who has become as a foreigner in the eyes of his people. He says in verse 6, "O let not those that wait on You be ashamed, O Lord, for my sake. Let not those that seek You be confounded…."
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.
(Isa 56:6-7 KJV)
The marketing of animals for sacrifice was a necessary part of the worship process. It is also biblically relevant that the gentile was not welcome to participate.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.
(Eze 44:9 KJV)
The point was not that gentiles ought to have free access to worship in which they had not yet fully committed themselves. It wasn’t the distinction between the curious and the committed that Messiah had taken issue. It was the confusion between what was convenient and what was appropriate: taking away all that one had available in order to make someone else a little more comfortable.
While it is important to contribute financially to the ministry (or ministries) that facilitate one’s worship, it is not appropriate to use opportunities of worship to "handle business" because that is convenient. Not only is your mind not focused on worship when doing so; but other parties are distracted from worship by the exchange. It is argued that contributing tithes and offerings is an essential part of biblical worship (and I would agree); but worship is not confined to the Sabbath day nor are all forms of worship appropriate for the corporate experience. Passing an offering plate in front of someone who has just lost his job is very much like selling lambs for sacrifice in the Court of the gentiles.
It is tragic that the world has come to see the Church and Synagogue in terms of their financial viability. It is a business, even as such it is defined as a "Not-for-profit organization."
Messiah said, "Make not My Father’s House a house of merchandise. Unfortunately, it is seen by many in the world today as little else. It is important for us, as a worshiping community, to do everything in our power to avoid this powerful obsticle. This is why Beit Ahavat Yeshua is not a 501c3 tax exempt organization. There is no bank account nor any mechanism for handling funds. Tithing and offering of one’s resources to God is biblical and appropriate; but just not part of the worship service, not in the courts designated for the purpose of worship. When asked how oen can contribute to our ministry, my typical response is, "Find someone who has need and meet it." This is biblical tithing and worship. It does not need to go through the coffers of the Church to be approved nor ordained by God.
, they would change their tithes and offerings into money and bring it to Jerusalem where they would buy the appropriate sacrifices (Deuteronomy 14:24, 25). Special Levitical farms were established to groom the best of all livestock for this purpose. Particularly in the days surrounding the pilgrimage festivals, they would set up shop in order to facilitate the biblical worship of those coming from far lands to worship.
