HIS LIFETIME ZEAL

Verses 22, 23 from the pen of David are confirmed by the Holy Spirit in Romans 11. 9, 10. The prophetic overrules the historic in this psalm, being Messianic, and quoted many times in the N.T. It concerns itself with suffering for the sake of righteousness, and in particular in verse 9 it speaks of the zeal of Christ for the honour of His Father’s house.

His Dedication. His zeal, never misplaced like that of man, can be described as godly jealousy for the honour of His Father’s house. Jealousy must not be confused with envy. Due to careless speech, these two words have become interchangeable, and we should be careful to define our words clearly. The person who betrays envy has no right to possess that which is the cause of such jealousy. But jealousy can be a legitimate reaction in relationships. Our God is a jealous God, because He has every right to all that we have and are.

His Duty was the honour of His Father’s house, and this can best be stressed by turning to the N.T. references in Matthew 21. 12, 13 and John 2. 17. The house of God had become a den of thieves and a house of merchandise. Let us beware that we do not fall into the same error. There must be reverence at all times in the house of God. It is His house, and He makes the rules. These two N.T. references stress the high regard that the Lord had for the house of God.

His Devotion was such that it was a fire consuming within Him. The phrase is “hath eaten me up”; His zeal had engulfed Him, it was His consuming passion and was the reason for His drastic action in the temple on more than one occasion. Our feelings and devotions cannot match His, but we get the measure of His attitude here to the house of God and all that it stands for, and to its functions today, 1 Tim. 3. 15. In a world that has lowered its moral sights and has turned prodigal, we need jealously to guard the things that are believed among us, and to have no fellowship with the world. We must shrug off its rival suitors, and give our allegiance to the Lord, so as to guard the honour of His house.

Zeal is only fit for wise men.