Lesson 258 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in" (Psalm 24:7).
Cross References
I Installing the Ark
1. Solomon brought all the things into the Temple that his father David had dedicated, [2CH:5:1][1CH:29:2-5].
2. The elders of Israel and the heads of the tribes were assembled that they might bring up the Ark of the Covenant, [2CH:5:2-3]; [2SM:6:1-15]; [1KG:8:1-4].
3. The Ark and the furnishings of the Tabernacle were brought into the Temple by the Levites and priests, II Chronicles 5:4-5, [2CH:5:7-10]; [1KG:8:6-9].
4. Multitudes of sacrifices were made by Solomon and the people during this time, [2CH:5:6]; [1KG:8:5].
II The Lord's Attendant Glory
1. When the Ark had been placed and the musicians sounded forth their praises to the Lord, His glory filled the Temple as a cloud, [2CH:5:11-14]; [EXO:40:34-35]; [1KG:8:10-11].
2. At the end of Solomon's dedicatory prayer, fire came down from Heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, [2CH:7:1-3]; [LEV:9:24]; [1KG:18:30-39].
III Solomon's Benediction
1. The people were dismissed with Solomon's ringing tribute to God's faithfulness, [1KG:8:54-56]; [PS:36:5]; [LAM:3:22-23]; [1CO:1:9].
2. The people were encouraged to keep themselves on the Lord's side, [1KG:8:57-59], [1KG:8:61]; [DEU:29:9-13]; [JOS:23:6-8]; [1CO:15:58]; [GAL:5:1].
3. Israel's faithfulness would have proved to the world that the Lord is God, [1KG:8:60].
IV God's Covenant
1. Solomon's prayer was heard, and God promised to fulfil the prayer if the king would keep God's commandments, [1KG:9:1-5].
2. The Lord promised Solomon a continuing house in return for faithfulness, [1KG:9:5].
3. Disobedience would bring sure retribution to Solomon, his family, and the Children of Israel, [1KG:9:6-9].
Notes
For Fame and Glory
"Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished" [2CH:5:1]). Seven long years had been spent in the construction of this beautiful edifice, built to the honour and glory of Israel's God. The Temple, high on the slopes of Mount Moriah, was a familiar sight to the inhabitants of Jerusalem long before the interior appointments were completed. It was intended to continue through many centuries, and it was built "exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries" [1CH:22:5]). This was a labour of love, and one that throughout the seven years had employed, in one way or another, a great percentage of the men of Israel. No doubt the expectations of the people were very high when the time finally came for the dedicatory service to be held.
The Arks' New Resting Place
One of Solomon's first acts as he prepared for the dedication, was to bring the Ark of the Covenant out of the city of David to its new resting place within the Temple. The Ark was an emblem of God's abiding presence with the Children of Israel, and it was Solomon's first concern that the Spirit of God should dwell in the house built to the honour of His Name. God's presence would be the true dedication and nothing less could suffice. King Solomon knew at this time that it was imperative that all his activities should be blessed of the Lord. It is just as essential today that we have the Spirit with us in every endeavour if any measure of Christian success is to be achieved.
The elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, and the chief of the fathers of the Children of Israel were called together to bring up the Ark. The Levites were called upon to carry it and all the holy vessels that were in the Tabernacle. Solomon did not want a recurrence of the judgement that came upon Uzzah when David attempted to bring the Ark to the city of David. (See [2SM:6:1-10].) Multitudes of sacrifices were offered by the joyful people; the Lord received their petitions; and the Ark was brought into its new resting place in "the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims." Two great and beautiful cherubims had been made especially to cover it. The cherubs stood on their feet with their wings outstretched, each wing being five cubits long. The Holy of Holies was 20 cubits side, thus one wing of each cherub touched an outside wall and their other wings touched each other at the centre of the room. Beneath these wings the Ark was placed.
Under His Wings
"I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony" [EXO:25:22]). The Children of Israel were absolutely excluded from the Holy of Holies, except the high priest who entered that holy precinct only once each year on the Day of Atonement. In interpretation of this provision the Bible tells us, "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing" [HEB:9:8]). The same rule became effective under the Temple worship.
However, in the same hour that Jesus died the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was "rent in twain from the top to the bottom." The way into the very presence of God was manifest, being opened to all men through Jesus' sacrificial death. In order to reach God fully, though, the children of men must still come in the way that He has prescribed " through salvation, typified by the brazen altar in the outer court of the Temple; through sanctification, typified by the golden altar and the perpetually burning incense in the Holy Place; and through the baptism of the Holy Ghost, typified by the abiding Word of God and the abiding Spirit of God in the Holy of Holies. (For a more detailed study of the Tabernacle, its compartments and furniture and the significance of each, refer to Book 6, Lessons 70, 72, 73, and 74.) The call of God is going out to all the people of the world today to come to the shadow of His wings and know the precious enjoyment of fellowship with Him.
Dedicatory Prayer
As soon as the priests placed the Ark in its place and as the singers and the musicians began to make one sound in praising the Lord, the Temple was filled with the glory of the Lord in a form of a cloud. God's holy presence was so great the priests could not minister. Solomon took his place upon the brazen scaffold that had been made for the purpose. He first stood; then he kneeled before all the congregation of Israel with his hands outstretched to Heaven. Solomon knew that this house could not begin to contain all the mighty presence of God who "inhabiteth eternity"; but Solomon did desires that God would put His Name there and that His eye would be open day and night upon this house and upon all who truly worshiped there. Solomon's dedicatory prayer ended with a strong intercessory note.
Answered Prayer
"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house" [2CH:7:1]). When God's fire falls upon the sacrifice, there can be no question as to whether God has answered the prayer or not. The Children of Israel rejoiced to see the manifestation of God, for "they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the LORD" [2CH:7:3]).
It must have meant much to the Children of Israel of Solomon's time to see fire from God consume the burnt offerings and the sacrifices, because similar fire had fallen at the dedication of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. God had commanded, "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out" [LEV:6:13]). The priests had been careful to keep God's command, and they used this heavenly fire in all the religious services. All other fire was considered strange fire.
Every Christian today should be, literally speaking, on fire for God. When a man seeks for and receives the new birth he makes a consecration -" a sacrifice -" of his life to God. The Spirit of God witnesses to the heart of man that his prayer for salvation has been answered, and the flame of God's holy love fills his heart. That flame or love should not be hid; it should shine out brightly for all to see. Jesus said to His disciples: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" [MAT:5:14]). God's holy fire is kept burning in the heart of a Christian by his keeping God's commandments, by much prayer, by holy living and conversation, by walking in all the light of God's revealed will, and by daily consecration of life and love to God the Father, and to His Son Jesus Christ.
Mount Moriah
This site on the slopes of Mount Moriah where the Temple was built had been the scene of two previous important demonstrations of God's grace and power. The three events show God's continual desire to reveal more of Himself to man. Abraham was first called to Mount Moriah when God told him to offer his son for a burnt offering. Abraham answered, "Behold, here I am," and started immediately on the journey. Abraham's faith supplied the answer to the questioning of Isaac: "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" [GEN:22:8]). Isaac was bound and laid upon the wood on the altar, but the angel of God stayed the sacrificial act. A ram caught by his horns in a thicket took the place of Isaac -" typical of the Son of God who was the real Lamb that God provided for the world. In the final hour He was not withdrawn from the altar of sacrifice nor from the cross. His Blood was spilled that man's sins might be forgiven.
Second Trip
Many years passed before the second pilgrimage was made to this sacred spot. David decided suddenly, without God's counsel, to number the Children of Israel, but the census was hardly completed when he realised he had gone against the will of God. God gave David the choice of three judgements. David answered the Prophet that brought the word of the Lord: "I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man" [2SM:24:14]).
The Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel for three days. Seventy thousand men died before the destroying angel was commanded to stay his hand. David entreated the Lord for the sake of his people and the Lord hearkened and sent the Prophet with the message that David should go to the threshing-floor of Araunah on Mount Moriah, rear an altar there and present an offering to the Lord. David quickly obeyed God's direction.
Araunah wanted to give David all the things he would need for a burnt offering, but David refused, saying, "Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing" [2SM:24:24]). The heart of David sought the most valuable gift he could find to give to the Lord.
What is the most valuable gift that a Christian can give to his Lord today? Life is man's most valuable possession, for "all that a man hath will he give for his life" [JOB:2:4]). "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" [ROM:12:1]). The heart and life, that, God will receive in consecration for service, is the one that has been justified by faith.
This second pilgrimage to Mount Moriah is a type of sanctification. The one who desires the second definite work of grace today must bring his most valuable gift -" himself, a living sacrifice -" in consecration, and leave it on God's altar to use as He sees fit.
Third Trip
The third trip to Mount Moriah was made on that memorable day when the Temple was dedicated. Here was the preview to the Day of Pentecost, and it is interesting to note the many similarities between the two events.
All the priests who took part in the dedication of the Temple were sanctified. The disciples who tarried in the Upper Room were truly sanctified, too. One hundred twenty priests sounded with trumpets at the dedication, and exactly 120 disciples were in the Upper Room when the Holy Ghost descended upon them. The musicians and singers "were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD," and the Bible tells us that "when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place" [ACT:2:1]). The glory of the Lord filled the Temple of God and fire came down from Heaven to consume the burnt offering and the sacrifices. Of Pentecost we read: "Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" [ACT:2:2-4]).
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the greatest of all God's gifts to the children of men. It is for us who live in this Gospel dispensation. The Holy Ghost will come to the sanctified heart who seeks for Him. "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" [ACT:2:39]).
Questions
1. Name several ways in which the building of the Temple can be compared to the preparation of a Christian for Heaven.
2. What was one of Solomon's first acts as he prepared to dedicate the Temple?
3. Where was the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant?
4. Who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple? How often?
5. What does the Holy of Holies typify?
6. In what way has the order of worship been changed under the dispensation of grace?
7. Name at least six things that Solomon prayed for in his dedicatory prayer.
8. What great occurrence took place at the end of the prayer?
9. Name the three trips to Mount Moriah and the spiritual significance of each trip.