Read 2
Chronicles 4-6 & John
12:20-50
To discover:
As you read consider the
significance of the temple.
To ponder:
As the detail of the temple
continues, we are faced not simply with the fact that it is richly adorned, but
with its magnificence. For example, its altar (mentioned only in passing in 1
Kings 7v48) is around four times bigger than that in the tabernacle. And the
“sea” (bowl) used by the priests for washing, is seven and a half feet in
diameter, holding 14,500 gallons of water (4v2-6 and NIV footnotes). Moreover,
whereas the tabernacle had only one washbasin, lampstand and table, the temple
has ten, as well as many other items and much bronze – a strong and
particularly gleaming metal. The wonder of it all is stressed by the fact that
everything “amounted to so much that the weight of bronze was not determined.” Christians
are not called to construct elaborate buildings for God’s presence as he now
resides within his people. But it is not wrong to spend money on simply
glorifying God (Mk 14v1-9).
When
all done, Solomon brought in the items David had dedicated (see 1 Chr 26v26-28,
perhaps also 1 Chr 29v2-5), and then summond the leaders of Israel
to bring in the ark (from elsewhere in the city), and the tabernacle itself (from
Gibeon). (see notes on 1 Kings 8). This clearly
symbolised the replacement of the tabernacle with the temple. Appropriately it
was the feast of tabernacles when God’s provision is remembered. And it is made
absolutely clear everything was done fittingly with the Levites carrying the
articles as was required by the law, and an innumerable amount of sheep and
cattle being sacrificed (presumably as burnt and fellowship offerings, Lev 1,
3). We should note the comment that the poles of the ark “are still there
today” (5v9) must be from the source the author is using and included to affirm
that the poles had been seen, proving the presence of the ark. The book
actually ends after the temple has been destroyed and the ark lost (36v18-19).
The
climax comes as the priests withdraw from the Holy
Place (ie. the room next to the Most
Holy Place where the ark resided), marking the
fact that everything was now in place. We are told they were consecrated and so
fit to be there. With everyone dressed in “fine linen,” as required in God’s holy
presence, a massive orchestra of trumpets, with cymbals, harps and lyres, then
accompanied a choir comprising “all” the Levitical musicians in singing of
God’s goodness and enduring love. Then God’s glory (the manifestation of his
very nature) filled the temple in the form of a cloud so the priests couldn’t
perform their service. This is why so much space has been given to listing
those who served in the temple, to the preparations for its building and then the
building itself. The temple was the place of God’s special presence – the sign
of God’s goodness and love to Israel,
without which she could never enjoy security or prosperity in the land, or
fulfil the purposes God had for her. We cannot therefore stress the temple’s
importance too much. For want of a better analogy, just as a ship is pointless
without an engine room to power it, so Israel’s
existence was futile without the temple because of the one who resided there.
Likewise, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is essential to the Christian and church.
Solomon’s
praise reflects this understanding (see also notes on 1 Kings 8). He recounts
God’s covenant with David in a way that parallels it in importance with his
covenant with Israel,
and suggests his choice of Jerusalem
for “his name” as the most significant event since the Exodus (6v5-6). His
prayer then displays his awareness that God cannot dwell in a building, seeing
the temple instead as the place of what might be called his “attentive”
presence (6v19, 40, 7v15). In Hebrew thought a name respresents the nature and
so reputation of the individual (Ex 34v5-7). So for God’s name to reside in the
temple, meant it was to there that the Israelite should look for God to act
according to his nature and for the sake of his own glory or reputation. Solomon
therefore prays that God would answer prayers prayed towards the temple, and so
that he is honoured (6v31, 33). All this is implied as we pray in Jesus’ “name”
to God’s presence in heaven.
Solomon
concludes calling God, as it were, to get up and come to his resting place.
Praying that priests be “clothed with salvation” may refer to how the High
Priest would wear the names of Israel’s
twelve tribes and “bear their guilt” on a plate attached to his turban, and so
be able to represent and make atonement for Israel
(Ex 28v6-38). “Saints” (lit. “holy ones”) refers to all the people, here rejoicing
in God’s goodness in forgiving them. 6v41-42 therefore pray that God would save
his people through the work of the temple and so fulfil his promise of granting
David an everlasting kingdom. For us it is a prayer that God would fulfil this
in Christ by saving us according to the gospel, to our everlasting joy.
Praying it home:
Praise God for forever dwelling in
us and in the church. Pray we would turn to him for mercy and in time of need.
Thinking further:
None today.
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