The purpose of this lesson: To stress the importance of the Jewish temple to
the Jewish people. The relevance of this point hopefully will be obvious in a
later lesson.
As already stated, first there was the temple built by Solomon. That structure existed from its being built early in Solomons reign until Israels defeat by the Babylonians in BC 586. The Babylonian military forces destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
Make certain the students understand that the temple building Solomon built was destroyed when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. Unless there is recent archeological evidence, there is no physical trace of the existence of that building that remains today.
Much later King Cyrus of Persia defeated Babylon. King Cyrus II gave the exiled Jews (along with other exiled people) permission to return to their homeland. As a condition of return, they were to rebuild Gods temple and offer prayers for King Cyrus II.
The descendants of the original Jews exiled by the Babylonians were permitted to return by King Cyrus II of Persia. [His surviving records (such as the Cyrus Cylinder) confirm the Old Testaments view of this ruler.] The Babylonian exile of the Jews was of such length it is unlikely any original adult captives lived long enough to return to the Jerusalem area. The elderly who wept when the second temple building was built were likely children who were exiled or exiles who heard the stories/reports of the original exiles.
The second is, today, usually referred to as the Second Temple. This temple was built (with much difficulty) by some of the Jews who returned from exile. Not all Jews returned from their exilesome were too settled, some were too old to travel, and the undertaking of going from an established situation to an unestablished situation was not appealing to many. The returning exiles could not begin to rebuild with the grandeur of King Solomons structure (Ezra 3:12, 13).
The first exiles returned to rebuild the temple. However, the lack of a security wall and the threats of those who disapproved of a Jewish presence complicated and delayed that task (see Ezra 1-4:24; and 6:13-22).
The third temple was actually a major remodeling of the second temple at the direction of Herod the Great. Though Herod the Great was brilliant in many ways (he was a notable builder), he had an earned reputation for being distrustful. Though he was ruler over the Jewish people in Judah, the Jewish people did not trust Herods intents. The priests and the ruling Jews agreed to the remodeling of the temple if Herod the Great stockpiled the material prior to the reconstruction and placed the priests in charge of the actual renovation of the temple building. This renovation began around BC 19 and continued until 64 AD. The Roman military force destroyed that building in 70 AD. The Jewish temple has never been rebuilt. Where it stood now stands the Mosque of Omar, one of the priority holy sites of the Muslimthe declared site of Mohammeds accent into heaven.
Be certain your students understand that Herods efforts were a remodeling of the second temple building and an expansion/renovation of the courts. Read any resource material available to you on Herod the Great. Even minor research on Herod the Great reveals why the Jews who made decisions would distrust him. Couple that with the huge animosity between Herod the Great and the leading Jews. You will see quickly why the leading Jews did not wish to be dependent on Herod the Great for temple work.
The temple occupied an important role in Jerusalem for the entire time of its existence. In two-thirds of the united monarchy (the reigns of King David and King Solomon) Jerusalem was the main site of political and religious activity for all Jews. From King Rehoboam to the defeat of the Babylonians, Jerusalem was the political and religious center of the Kingdom of Judah. However, after the Babylonian defeat, Jerusalem was never a recognized political center again. Yet, it was always the religious center of the Jewish people. The temple made it their religious center long after they had no kings.
During the reigns of King David and King Solomon, the city of Jerusalem was both the political center and religious center for all Jews. When Solomon built the temple, the temple was the religious center for all Jews. However, the temple served only the Jews in Judah during the period of the divided kingdom. When the nation of Israel divided, King Jeroboam turned the 10 northern tribes to idolatry. He feared a return to the temple would result in a revolt and his death (see 1 Kings 12:25-33). Eventually these 10 tribes (known as Israel) went into Assyrian captivity and never returned as a nation (see 2 Kings 17:19-23). During most of this period and the time following the Assyrian exile until the Babylonian exile of the Kingdom (nation) of Judah, the temple was neglected and in bad repair. 2 Kings 12:6-12, the rule of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1-8), and the rule of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-7) are exceptions. The temple building Solomon built ceased to exist with the Babylonian captivity.
The temple served several roles in Jewish society. (1) It was the place for sacrificial worship. When a national festival was held (such as Passover), Jerusalem with the temple was the place to go. When an individual offered animal sacrifices to God, Jerusalem with its temple was the place to go. Even when the Jewish people were dominated by non-Jewish kings, if the temple was pure, it was the place to go to bless and acknowledge God.
All sacrifices for national festivals and the sacrifices of individuals were offered at the temple. Consider Luke 2:21-32.
(2) It became a center for learning. If the question was, What is the correct thing to do? or, How do I do this correctly? or, What is the proper ritual? or, What is the proper ethical response in this matter? or, What should I pray? the temple was THE place to go to ask and receive an answer for your question. The temple area was known for its religious discussions and religious debates.
From its inception, the temple was the go to place to receive answers for your religious questions. The priests and other religious authorities were there. These people were in position to understand what you asked and to address your question. As an example, consider Luke 2:46, 47.
(3) The leading religious authority was the temples high priest. In the absence of a Jewish king, this position became the voice of authority for all Jewish peopleboth those in Jewish territory and those scattered throughout the world. If any Jew came from Jerusalem, Jewish people wanted to know the latest decrees of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin and pronouncements of the high priest. Knowing these decrees and pronouncements enabled Jewish people to stay in touch. In this way, information was delivered regarding the gatherings and affairs of the Jewish people.
This situation became an important means of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ among Jews outside of the Palestine area. Consider Acts 13:5 and 15. To prevent Christian Jews from using this forum, the synagogues required prior to giving a report that the Jew giving the report renounce Jesus Christ first (which no Christian could do). Consider Pauls statement in 1 Corinthians 12:3 as the indication of such a curse existing.
The gospels and Acts reflected Jewish attitudes in such matters. When Jesus was a 12-year-old boy, he was lost to his parents for three days because he was in the temple area listening to discussions and asking worthwhile questions (Luke 2:41-51). When a man in the last week of his earthly life, Jesus spent the days publicly teaching in the temple area (see Luke 19:47, 48; 22:53; Matthew 26:55; Mark 12:35-40). One of the accusations against him just prior to his death was that he spoke disrespectfully of the temple (Mark 14:58; 15:29; Matthew 26:61). When Jesus church began in Acts 2, Acts recorded only Jews hearing the gospel until Acts 10. This movement was looked upon as a Jewish reform movement. Though it began with popularity (see Acts 2:47), it was quite unpopular with some. When these Jews who opposed Christianity killed Stephen, one of the reasons for his death was that he dared declare that God does not live in temples made by humans (Acts 7:48-50).
The role of the temple in the New Testament does not prove the role of the temple in the Old Testament. It merely illustrates the continuing importance of the temple in the lives of the Jewish people.
Remember, the temple building itself existed to perform rituals. It was not built for assemblies. What we commonly refer to as the temple was a complex, not just a building. In Herods renovation, there was a large court of the Gentiles in which anyone could come. This court was separated from the rest of the complex by a wall that was about 66 feet high and 23 feet wide at the base. There were warning signs at each entry way that warned proceeding toward the temple building would result in death for those not Jews. Next there was the court of Women. Any Jew could enter this court. Next was the smaller court of Israel where only Israelite men (of age) could enter. Next was the smaller court of the priests where sacrifices were offered by the priests. Only priests were permitted in this area. Then came the temple building itself that was only entered by priests performing required rituals. The temple was for ritual service. The courtyards could be used for assemblies.
The temple building itself was used only for performing Jewish rituals for the Jewish people. The temple building was not to be a place of public assembly.
There is a single point you are asked to note in this lesson: the temple occupied an important role in Jewish society.
The objective is NOT for you to learn Jewish history or Jewish practices. The objective is to challenge you to see the important role the temple served in Jewish life.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Who built the first Jewish temple? What ended the existence of that building?
King Solomon built the first Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian military destroyed that temple building.
2. Discuss the second temple (Jewish).
The discussion should include the understanding that this is the building built by Jewish people who returned from the Babylonian captivity.
3. Discuss what is referred to as the Jewish temple built by Herod the Great.
The discussion should include the understand that this was a remodeling project on the temple building (that was completed in about two years) and an ambitious remodeling/expansion of the courts that took a long time.
4. Jerusalem was the political and religious center for all Jews when? For the Kingdom of Judah?
It was the center for all Jews in the reigns of King David and King Solomon. It was the center for Judah (the kingdom/nation) in the period of the divided kingdom from the rule of King Rehoboam to the Babylonian defeat.
5. State three roles the Jewish temple served.
a) It was the place for sacrificial worship.
b) It was the center of learning.
c) It was the place religious rulings were given for the Jewish people.
6. Discuss Jesus and the temple in Luke 2:41-51. In 19:47, 48. In Mark 14:58.
Luke 2:41-51Jesus visit to the temple complex when he was 12, when he stayed to listen and ask questions.
Luke 19:47, 48Jesus teaching publicly in the temple complex during the last week of his earthly/physical life.
Mark 14:58The accusation that Jesus said he would destroy and rebuild the temple (during his trials).
7. Why did the temple building (not the complex) exist?
It existed to perform Jewish religious rituals.
8. What single point are you asked to note in this lesson?
The temple occupied an important role in Jewish society.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 4