Is "The Dividing Wall of Hostility" from God or man?

[Artfuldodger]

Ephesians 2:14
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Obviously Jesus removed it on the Cross as it pertains to salvation but who put the wall up to start with? Back before the Cross there were barriers in the Temple. Gentiles couldn't go but so far. Even Jewish women couldn't go but so far. Jewish men could go all the way.

Not sure if those walls were the ones mentioned by Paul or if the barrier was the Law of Moses. Yet there existed a barrier of some sorts.

 

[Artfuldodger]

In Christ, God has taken what was two and made it one. He has made “one new man” where once there were two (Eph. 2:14-15).

We still have Blacks & Whites, Male & Female, Jew & Gentile, Slave & Master. Why?

Even Paul continued to make certain distinguished differences between men and women, Jew and Gentile. maybe even master and slave.

 

[Artfuldodger]

Several years ago, archaeologists found an inscription in the wall of the outermost court, the court of the Gentiles. It read, "Whoever is captured past this point will have himself to blame for his subsequent death."

That’s some pretty hostile language.

 

[Artfuldodger]

Ephesians centers upon this unification of Jew and Gentile in Messiah, but does so from the perspective of the cross. It is the sacrificial death of Messiah that has established the means of unity, for it was by His death that the enmity between Jew and Gentile was destroyed.

Thus, for Paul it is clear that the cross not only made atonement for sin, but it also established the basis for blessing the Gentiles.

 

[Artfuldodger]

Ephesians 2:14-15
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.

It's like the Cross mission did two things, provided salvation and peace.

 

[Artfuldodger]

Getting back to my question then, I'd have to say the dividing wall was from God. He chose Israel. God shows us headship with man over woman.
Perhaps the division was a teaching tool. A mirror or type. Just as God sent a way to salvation, he sent a way to make the division one unity.

 

[gordon 2]

One group had the God of Abraham, the other had idols. There was a dividing wall of hostility due this alone for both groups. The ( Hebrews) Jews were hostile to pagans as per God's initial instructions, so I think you are correct. Moses an Egyptian by culture took the Hebrews a stiffed neck people prone to idol worship out of Pagan Egypt and into Canaan Land. Jesus will bring the gentiles into Israel as equals to the Jews. They also will know the God of Abraham and forego their idols.