Something which happened a long time ago is still highly relevant today.

In ancient times, God had warned his people about the consequences of turning to idols. This passage mentions something called ‘the idol that provokes to jealousy’. The reference is to God’s reaction to a false god being placed in the temple where his people were to worship him alone. The ‘jealousy’ means that it grieves God … it is a bit like adultery in marriage. He will not tolerate anything entering into the sacred relationship he has with his people.

The outcome of all this was that God’s glory left the temple, a foreign nation overcame Israel, destroyed the temple and carried away many into exile. It was a very hard lesson for them to learn that God will not give his glory to another. In time to come, however, God was to show them something wonderful about his forgiveness and love. He sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross as a substitute for their sin. The altar and sacrifice of the temple worship pointed to this.

Jesus said to the people who had been desecrating the temple in his day the following words which are full of meaning …’destroy this temple and in three days I will rebuild it’. He was speaking of his death and resurrection. Everyone who comes to him in repentance and faith will be delivered from their sins.