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Daily Devotions

Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 240

The Temple of Jerusalem in the Days of the Prophets

Text: Matthew 17 : 14 - 28

The crux of the Jewish religion seemed to revolve around the temple at Jerusalem. From the earliest times, the place of the temple took on more meaning than it should. In the days of Jeremiah, the confidence of Israel was in the existence of the physical temple of God. The prophet was sent to rebuke the nation for their erroneous and superstitious regard of their temple.

“Do not trust in these lying words, saying,
‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord,
the temple of the Lord are these.'”
JEREMIAH 7:4

Israel felt that as long as the temple existed, no enemy could conquer them! They felt that God would surely bless them, since His temple, His house was in Jerusalem! They were dead wrong in their theology! God allowed His temple to be utterly destroyed by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.

THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM IN THE DAYS OF JESUS

The Jews in the days of Jesus had not learned much from their history! Their theology concerning the temple had not progressed much, if at all. They were still fixated in their thoughts concerning the significance of the temple.

“When they had come to Capernaum, those who received
the temple tax came to Peter and said,
‘Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?’
He said, ‘Yes.’ ”
MATTHEW 17:24-25

1. The Temple Tax

When the Tabernacle was constructed, Moses gave specific instruction that all were to give towards the maintenance of the sanctuary. This tax is not to be confused with the giving of the tithe or other special offerings!

“This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give:
half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel
is twenty gerahs).
The half-shekel shall be an offering to the Lord.
Everyone included among those who are numbered,
from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering
to the Lord. The rich shall not give more and the poor
shall not give less than half a shekel, when you give an offering
to the Lord, to make atonement for yourselves.
And you shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel,
and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting,
that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel
before the Lord, to make atonement for yourselves.”
EXODUS 30:13-16

a) The Temple tax was a special flat-fee imposed on all Israelites.

b) It was associated with their atonement.

c) It was dedicated for the service of the sanctuary.

d) It was meant to be a memorial for the children of Israel.

2. Support of the Temple

The temple tax continued to be charged in the days of Jesus! The temple officials seemed to have singled out Jesus from the multitudes that passed by! Obviously, if they could, they would make an issue out of whether Jesus paid the temple tax. However, instead of approaching Jesus personally, the officials stopped Peter in the street, and queried him as to whether Jesus paid the temple tax. The officials might have figured that it was easier to tackle one of the disciples than to engage Jesus personally. They would prefer not to suffer another public humiliation if Jesus were to raise the theological issue of paying the temple tax!

DISCUSSION OF THE TEMPLE TAX

It is interesting to note how Jesus used this incident to teach a deep spiritual lesson.

“And when he (Peter) had come into the house,
Jesus anticipated him, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes,
from their sons or from strangers?’
Peter said to Him, ‘From strangers.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free.
Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook,
and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened
its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it
to them for Me and you.’ ”
MATTHEW 17:25-28

1. The custom of the day

Jesus complied with the request to pay the temple tax. There was no point fighting the religious authorities on every point.

2. Understanding and appreciating the special relationship in the Kingdom of God

In the kingdom of God, the focus would not be “taxes”. The sons of God have been freed from taxes. That does not mean that they do not give in support of God’s work. When they do give, they would not treat it as if they were paying taxes!