“And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.â€
Notice the progression…
He drove all of the people out who were selling things. He drove the cattle and sheep out. He poured out the money. He turned the tables over.
And he spoke to those selling doves, “Take these hence.â€
The natural progression is that he would have let them go, seeing he drove out, poured out and turned over the rest, instead he spoke to those that sold doves, “Get these out of here!â€
Why did he do that?
I propose the reason is found in that when you drive the people out, you can get the people back together. You can round up the cattle and catch all the sheep, you can gather the money back together and put the table right side up. But if you let the doves go, you cannot recall this act, you let them out and they are gone forever.
When God brings correction, he always leaves a way to get things back in proper order and he will leave intact what cannot be restored.
No matter how severely God deals with us, he leaves the door open to get it right the next time.
He Saved the Doves for another day.
If you are dealing with a situation that needs correction, be sure to preserve what cannot be restored.
Selah.
Scott Phillips is pastor of Springridge Pentecostal Church .
