Bible Studies

On the Corner with Baruch

by Terry Barlow
06/18/14
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    When Nehemiah (name means "comforted by YAHWEH") led the remnant of ancient Israel in distributing the work of rebuilding the Temple wall after their exile in Babylon, some irregularity appears in the work assigned to Baruch (means "blessed") son of Zabbai (means "wanderer" or "pure" or perhaps "pure wanderer"). All the other workers are described as making repairs in their respective sections of the wall, oftentimes in front of their own homes, but Baruch for some reason is described as making CAREFUL or DILIGENT ( means "kindling strength") repairs to a corner section or the Angle. At any rate, it was a repair that appears to have been more complex or intricate, a repair that was going to require closer attention than usual, or more caution.

    Beyond that, it was the repair of a section that stretched from the corner of the wall or from the "Angle" to the door of the house of the high priest, whose name was Eliashib (means "God restores") The corner speaks to me of a turning point or of a need for transition from one phase of life or history to another. When we turn a corner like that whether in carpentry or masonry or personally or culturally, there is usually more stress and skill involved as well as excitement.

    Baruch, this blessed son of a pure wanderer who had wandered all the way back from Babylon, was attending earnestly to the "right angle" that would lead right up to and ignite a restoration at the door of that high priest (or the great priest) whom we in New Testament times know as the Great High Priest Jesus Christ Himself. All of this seems to point to a new and refreshing personal encounter with our High Priest Jesus that will restore what has been lost or stolen from us personally and from the Church, and set us on fire anew as His Holy Priesthood.

    When John Wesley was asked how he had been able to disciple so many, he responded that he merely set himself on fire for Jesus, and others came to see him burn! Where there is the High Priest, there is under Him accordingly, His increasingly holy and royal priesthood, all aglow for His glory!