The objective of this lesson: To focus your attention on the dedication of the Jewish temple and on the significance of the Jewish temple.
Solomon began building the temple in the fourth year of his reign, and construction of that temple continued for seven years. It was what people today would call a pre-fabricated buildingall the pieces were fashioned to fit together prior to being assembled at the site of the temple (1 Kings 6:7). Can you imagine preparing stone and boards without the aid of power tools or motor-driven machines? Can you imagine the expense of all the gold used? Or all the carvings? Or all the kinds of wood? To do all of that by hand is beyond our ability to imagine! Consider the brass work in 1 Kings 7:13-47 and the gold work in 7:48-51.
Focus attention on three things:
1. It took 7 years to build the temple.
2. Each piece was prepared to fit.
3. It was an expensive undertaking.
With enormous pomp and ceremony, the temple was dedicated. Solomon invited all the whos who in Israel to attend the temples dedication that began with moving the Ark of the Covenant from the tent to its place in the new structure. The animal sacrifices that were a part of moving the Ark of the Covenant and the furnishings of the tent were too numerous to count. When the Ark was situated in its new home, a cloud filled the structure to the extent that the priests could not function in the room that was before the room containing the Ark.
Note:
1. The people who attended.
2. The animal sacrifices involved in the moving of the Ark of the Covenant and the furnishings of the tent.
3. The cloud filled the temple as the cloud had filled the tabernacle in Exodus 40:34, 35.
As Solomon began his address to the people (1 Kings 8:12-30):
1. He acknowledged Gods message to David concerning the temple.
2. He blessed God for keeping His promise (though Solomon had the temple built, it was God that provided the opportunity).
3. He acknowledged that God did not ask for the temple, but David did well to envision this heart gift to God.
4. Though the temple was Davids idea, Solomonnot Davidbuilt it as was decreed by God.
5. God was credited with allowing the temple to come into being.
6. God was credited for allowing Solomon to be King.
7. As elaborate as the structure was, it could not contain the boundless God.
8. Though the boundless God could not be confined to a building, would God please accept this temple as a special place of prayer?
Note the things Solomon stressed prior to the prayer:
1. The origin of the idea of the temple.
2. The way he acknowledged God.
3. No house could contain the boundless God.
Solomon listed a number of prayers that he requested God to hear and respond to when a person or group prayed toward the temple:
1. When the nation suffered a defeat in war because of sin, if the people repented, hear their prayers, forgive their sin, and reestablish them in Canaan.
2. When the nation suffered a drought because of sin, and they repented and prayed, hear their prayer, forgive their sin, teach them how to live, and send rain.
3. If there was famine, or blight, or mildew, or locusts/grasshoppers, or siege, or any kind of plague, and the nation repented by men and women personally repenting, hear their prayers, forgive the individuals, and help them live in reverence.
4. If a non-Jew came from another country because he had heard of Gods greatness, hear and answer his prayer so all will know You are a great God with a mighty name.
5. If the nation went to battle, hear their prayers and maintain their cause.
6. If Israel went to battle, were defeated, and captives were taken (because of sin), if the captives repented in the land of their captivity and faced toward the temple, God hear their prayers, forgive their sins, may their captors show them compassion, and may You notice their plight.
Note each prayer and make certain the students understand what Solomon asked.
When Solomon concluded his prayer, on his knees with raised hands before the altar, he pronounced a blessing from God on the nation. The blessing went all the way back to Moses and praised God for His faithfulness in keeping all His promises to Israel. He expressed the desire (a) for all people to realize Gods greatness and (b) that God would maintain the cause of Israel no matter what changes occurred. He urged the nation to be faithful to God.
Note the concept of blessing the nation.
· Note the blessing stressed that God was with the nation for generations.
· Note Solomons two desires. Also note the irony that Solomon could be Gods leader here and years later could lead the nation into idolatry.
Solomons prayer and blessing were followed by:
1. A sacrificial dedication of the facilities.
2. Sacrifices of praise to God.
3. Feasting.
4. A fourteen-day celebration
5. The people returning home (on the eighth day) with joy for the goodness God showed to David and to the nation of Israel.
Stress the events that followed the actual act of putting the temple into active service. Feasting and joy were not inappropriate for the dedication. Remembering King David was not inappropriate.
You are asked to consider the significance of the Jewish temple from the moment that temple was consecrated.
1. Note the people who were present.
2. Note the deliberate impressiveness of the eventit was a once in a lifetime occurrence never to be forgotten. Anyone who saw what happened would never forget it. It was truly an I was there! occasion.
3. Note the sacrifices offered. Can you imagine how much wood was required to offer so many sacrifices? Can you imagine how much preparation had to be made for such an event? It did not just happen.
4. Note the scope of Solomons prayer in regard to prayers offered in the direction of the temple. Because of Gods presence in the temple, prayers prayed in faith in God had special significance when facing the temple.
5. Note the reasons Israel as a nation had to be joyful because of Gods acts.
6. Please note that awareness of Gods acts produced joy.
7. Also please note the event focused attention on God. All was possible because of what God did!
Call attention to the fact that many things emphasized the significance of the moment.
Though the temple did not come into being because of Gods command, God accepted it, and was not offended by the temples service. From the moment the Jewish temple was placed into service, it was extremely important. The Jewish temple served a key role in Jewish history, in divine history, and in Christian history.
Stress the fact that from its beginning the temple was recognized as being important. Here is a specific example of something that was not commanded by God being accepted by God because of the heart-motivation of the giverKing David.
For Thought and Discussion
1. How long was spent in building the temple? Why could it be called prefabricated?
It took 7 years to build the temple. Each piece was built to fit before it was assembled on the geographical site.
2. Who was invited to its dedication? Discuss the animal sacrifices and the cloud.
Every person who was of tribal significance was invited. The animal sacrifices were too numerous to count. The cloud filled the temple to the extent that the priests could not enterjust as with the tabernacle in Exodus 40:34, 35.
3. How did Solomon begin his address?
a) Solomon acknowledged Gods message to King David.
b) He blessed God for keeping His promise.
c) He acknowledged God did not ask for the temple, but the temple was a good gift.
d) Though Solomon built it, it was Davids idea.
e) God was responsible for the temple.
f) God was responsible for Solomon being King.
g) The temple could not contain God.
h) Yet, the temple should have a significant place in Israels prayer life.
4. What prayers did he request God hear when the prayers prayed facing the temple?
a) The prayer of a defeated Israel.
b) The prayer of a nation ruined by a drought resulting from sin.
c) The prayer of a nation suffering a plague caused by sin.
d) The prayer of a non-Jew who had heard of God.
e) The prayer of Israel as they prepared for battle.
f) The prayer of Israelite captives.
5. What two desires did Solomon express?
a) The desire for the people to realize Gods greatness
b) The desire for God to continue with Israel when changes occurred.
6. What followed Solomons prayer and blessing?
a) The dedication of the facilities.
b) Praise of God
c) Feasting
d) A 14-day celebration
e) The people retuning home with joy.
7. State the things which emphasized the significance of the temple.
a) The people who were present.
b) The deliberate impressiveness of the event.
c) The animal sacrifices offered.
d) The scope of Solomons prayer.
e) The joy
f) The tributes to God.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 3