Why Did The House Of Prayer In Jerusalem Become A Den Of Thieves?

This post was made in response to this awesome post. Find the link [Here]

Kindly watch my video below:

These are the amazing things I learned from Bro. Eli Soriano's teaching on the above-mentioned topic in addition to my own personal research as well.

This is the first part of the 3 parts that would be shared and it gives us the basis and insight into things.

Matthew 21:13 (NIV)

“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable but the truth is, this is not the case here because they understand the purpose why the Synagogue was established and yet they are abusing the purpose of it. The house of God is a house of prayer where people come to make their peace offering, make restitution, learn the laws of God and ask for remission for their sins but yet, they forgot all of these and we're consumed with activities rather than with God.

There were money changers there. There were a whole lot of people going about their own activities and overriding the purpose for which God's house existed. Jesus was not happy with it and that was why He chased them all away so that the purpose of the house of God can be restored. The Yorubas (a tribe in Nigeria) always say this adage, "It is how the owner of the calabash describes it that others would describe it". Jesus needed to re-establish the importance and purpose of God's house which was why He sent those money changers and harlots from doing their normal business in a place that is supposed to be sanctified for God.

The truth is, Jesus knew way ahead that this would be. Anytime Jesus says " It is written" then you can be so sure He was quoting from the Scriptures. And this is one of the scriptures He quoted from when He said the house of God is a house of prayer.

Isaiah 56:7 (NIV)

these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

They turned God's house into a den for thieves because they have forgotten their first love and the purpose of the house of God. They allowed daily lives activities to take the center stage whereby making it a den for sin.

Nothing catches God by surprise and that is why His mercy runs so deep. Jeremiah already prophesied about this way ahead of time too.

Jeremiah 7:11 (NIV)

Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

Everything Jesus said or did, it was what the Father asked Him to do. He came into this world for a reason and that is to restore order and point everyone back to God while reconciling us to the Father through His death. He did that to perfection and we are enjoying that act of sacrifice today where everyone can look up and shout, "Abba Father".

What He has seen of the Father, He has done and what He has heard from the Father He has spoken. The things He has received from the Father He has given to us and the link He has established for us with the Father stands forever.

John 12:49-50 (NIV)

For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Thank you for your time.

My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.

Still me,