Ezk 42:20 He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, 500 cubits long and 500 cubits broad, to make a separation between the holy and the common. (ESV)
This concept of a separation between the holy and the common (profane) raises all kinds of questions in my mind. Ultimately though, I think it refers to the unapproachable holiness of God. The good news is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus the unapproachable God is approachable. When he died the curtain in front of the holiest place was torn from bottom to top, providing access to God's presence.
Not only, however, does this refer to the unapproachable holiness of God, it also refers to the separation between the holy people of God and the ungodly who do not serve Him. Now that raises more questions for me. Wasn't Jesus referred to as a friend of sinners? Didn't Jesus sit down next to an immoral woman at the Samaritan well? Didn't Jesus allow a prostitute to wash his feet? Didn't Jesus say that he came not for the righteous, but for sinners? So how does that apply to us? Do we avoid "sinners" because "bad companions corrupt good morals?" Or, do we follow the pattern set by Jesus and live as friends of sinners?
This passage makes me wonder if Paul had this in mind when he made reference to the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles being broken down. And that, perhaps, brings us to the application we really need to consider. Who are the people that we want to have nothing to do with even if they are believers? In different parts of the country and the world that answer may be different. Often we claim to have no prejudice but we require those who are different from us to become like us, not realizing that there is a difference between biblical principles and cultural norms. To expect an Hispanic brother to look, act and value the same things as a northern Minnesota Norwegian is a stretch at best. Yet somehow, we expect that if a person is truly a believer then they will look, sound, act and value the same as us. God broke down the middle wall of partition between us, but that does not mean that he made us alike. Therein lies the rub, that little irritating truth that we are brothers with people we consider weird.
Father, thank you that you allow me to approach you, the unapproachable God. May I be as approachable as you are and as your Son was on this earth. May I never separate fellowship based on personality and cultural differences that I find difficult to enjoy, accept or understand. May I reflect Jesus to a fallen world. May I be the window through which they see Christ, rather than a wall that hides him.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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