The Offering of the Poor

“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons [the poor were often unable to bring a lamb]” (Luke 2:21 – 24).

He returned 30 years later and “made a scourge… He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen.” But unto them that sold doves and young pigeons, He addressed in a more amiable manner (cf. John 2:15-16).

A Dove

Many days after the total destruction of a world “filled with violence,” Noah sent forth a dove “to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground.” She “found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him.” And “he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.” And yet “other seven days” he sent her forth again and she “came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf… the waters were abated from off the earth… And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent” her forth. And she “returned not again unto him any more” (cf. Genesis 8).

Thou Shalt not Covet

Was recently reminded of the trepidation of “tailgating.” A young man followed another car, perhaps just a bit too close, as he approached an intersection. A cross traffic bus ran a red light. The woman ahead hit her brakes. He promptly responded in hitting his. However, the driver behind was not as alert, and the impact propelled the second car into the first. Consequently, by some rationalization, the young man was determined to be at fault.

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s” (Exodus 20:17).

Or that car length between he and thee!