The Temple is Dedicated

Read 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 6-7
   
1 Kings 8:1-2 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. 2 All the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.
 
YOU might consider 1 Kings 8 a worship service to the LORD. Three essential elements of worship are present here: the LORD’s presence, prayer and God’s Word spoken.
   This placing of the ark into the temple came at the Festival of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles. This was in the fall of the year to celebrate God’s care to shelter Israel for 40 years on their desert journey. It also remembered how God tabernacled – dwelled with – his people on the Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Covenant in the desert Tabernacle. The Ark and the Tabernacle have been in various places and separated for centuries. At last God moves ark into the new Tabernacle – the Temple in Jerusalem.
   Then what a remarkable scene to read that God’s glory filled the temple! Just as he did in the desert journey, God came in a cloud to confirm he is with his people. What a wondrous joy to behold God’s glory so visibly and powerfully present in his sanctuary! Oh, that the churches today could experience God in this holy and personal way.
   In response, Solomon reverently prayed for his nation and his people: 1 Kings 8:23 “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.” The king praised God and sought justice in the land. He prayed all people of the earth would commit to God. And he prayed for Israel to enter into God’s rest.
   As the worship concluded, there was great sacrifice. This illustrates the enormous cost of sin. In essence, there is no amount of sacrifice of animals that can completely remove our sins. Yet, it was essential that a repentant, joyful people demonstrated their commitment to the LORD God. He had fulfilled his promise to build a temple and to dwell with them.
   This interlude of God’s glory come so visibly to earth is a glimpse of God’s to one day come to earth through the Son and the Spirit. God’s glory visibly came through the Son at Jesus’ birth, baptism, teachings (through miracles and repentance), Transfiguration, resurrection and ascension. God’s glory came through the Spirit in tongues of fire at Pentecost and the preaching of the gospel that began to fill the earth. The church is always to be the expression of God’s personal glory come to dwell with his people as we proclaim God’s power to save. This is one reason we must gather with others to worship each week. Our response must always be to worship God’s glory come down into our own lives.
   Jesus is the sacrifice for the removal of your sin. You are a sacrifice of praise, glorifying the LORD. The Holy Spirit has come to dwell with you while he is preparing for your eternal tabernacle with the holy God in the new creation. Your only appropriate response is to worship him in all you are in him.