After placing the ark in its new home, a praise service broke out with instruments sounding out beautifully and voices raised . But that Temple has been destroyed for over 1900 years. A strong church was planted here in Plantation that has been faithful in preaching Gods word and has given millions of dollars to missions around the world. I have surely built You an exalted house, Jerusalem: The End of the Road or Just the Beginning? By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. There I have put the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD: The chief glory of the temple was that it was the resting place for the ark of the covenant, a representation of Gods covenantal presence with His people. Disobedience, Pride, Self-Deception, Rejection, The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb - Psalm 139, Caring for Each Other in the Body of Christ, Determining the Dates for Easter and Passover, The Magic Dresser (A Poem for Mother's Day), The Fruit of the Spirit and 1 Corinthians 13, Click here for more messages from the book of. And, at this point in the history of Israel, he prays that all the promises made to David may go into effect. 1 Kings 8:22-61 Wednesday, 17 March 2021 "And now, O God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true." -1 Kings 8:26 Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple at Jerusalem is at the centre of our reading today. Recalls God's dynastic promises to David through the prophet Nathan. He knew that when God mercifully answered the prayers of foreigners, it drew those from other nations to the God of all nations. Five Reasons to Read God's Word This Year, Involving People in Personal and Group Worship, Receiving People into Fellowship and Service, Sharing Gods Love in Broward County and Beyond, Teaching and Equipping People for Ministry, This Man Welcomes Sinners and Eats with Them, Five Candles at Christmas (Advent Wreath Sermons), Abraham (3): Unquestioning Obedience to Gods Commands, Creation: Understanding the Power of Gods Word, Faith: Being Certain of What You Do Not See, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph: Trusting God with the Future, Jericho and Rahab: Trusting in Gods Deliverance (2), Moses and His Parents: Fearing God Rather Than Man, Moses: Identifying with Christ and His People, New Testament Believers: Something Better for Us, Old Testament Believers (1): Triumphant in Victory, Old Testament Believers (2): Triumphant in Suffering, The Red Sea: Trusting in Gods Deliverance (1), Abortion: Caring for mothers and children in crisis pregnancy situations, Assisted suicide: Caring for the elderly and infirm, Divorce and Remarriage: Covenant, commitment, grace and forgiveness, Homosexuality: Caring for those who experience same-sex attraction, Living Together: Dishonoring those you love the most, Racism: A sin against God, humanity and the gospel, Transgender: Caring for those who experience issues with gender identity, The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, The Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl, Turning Your Attitudes Upside Down - Part 1, Turning Your Attitudes Upside Down - Part 2, A Prayer to Be Pleasing to God (Sanctifying), Psalm 121 - Trusting in Gods Providential Care, Psalm 123 - Looking to the Lord for Mercy. The hearts determine their actions. How ecumenical! Does the temple in Jerusalem have more significance than our church buildings? That is part of the outward focus that we are to maintain as the church of Jesus Christ. After sacrificing a seemingly endless number of animals ( 1 Kings 8:5 ), Solomon blessed the Lord for His covenantal faithfulness (vv.12-21). Last year through some generous estate gifts and through the sacrificial giving of Gods people, we were able to pay off the mortgage twelve years early. Now, 11 months later, Solomon stands before the people, spread 28Yet give attention to your servants prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. 12. the Lord appeared to Solomon by The dedication of the temple must have been an occasion of intense national interest to Solomon and his subjects. 7:20; [Rom. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 37(W)When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their [b]cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; 38whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: 39then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone (X)know the hearts of all the sons of men), 40(Y)that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers. 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 - "Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. But, perhaps his wisdom is nowhere shown more clearly than in the building and dedication of the temple of God. If this king will continue in this way, he may be sure that the Lord his God will remember His covenant and all the loving kindness which He had promised David. 24 You have kept Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. This is a more general prayer of dedication and well-suited to the dedication of any home, building or business to the Lord. When all the work for the temple was finished, the last step was bringing the Ark of the Covenant and placing it in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, putting it beneath the wings of the cherubim. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. 29May your eyes be open(J) toward(K) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, My Name(L) shall be there, so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 24You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled itas it is today. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. A church that loses its outward focus has lost its way. This beautiful prayer must be applied to his heart as well as to the hearts of all who read this prayer. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Lewis? The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the Lord's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the Lord and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, "His love endures forever." If there was no rain, there was no food. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. When a couple comes and asks me to marry them in the church, I always ask them why they want to get married by a pastor in the church rather than, say, a judge at the courthouse. The heathen may think that their deities will be able to help them in certain situations, but their hopes are futile. Hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants: Solomon asked the God who can see what man cant who knows the hidden heart of man to enforce from heaven the oaths made at the temple. Remember the mercies of Your servant David.. With Him hearing is forgiving and forgiving is hearing. 26:16, 25, 26; Deut. >> When you pray with others in corporate prayer, make sure your heart, mind, and soul are echoing the words that are spoken. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Religion Past & Present XII (2012) 141. Solomon then prayed two prayers of dedication. We dedicate this sanctuary to be a place where Gods word is honored and proclaimed. Famine came upon the land of Canaan several times during the course of sacred history despite the fact that this land was to be the land "flowing with milk and honey." We also notice why Solomon is praising God. A couple will come to me and want me to dedicate their child to the Lord, and yet they are not living for the Lord themselves. How can we dedicate something to Gods glory if we are not seeking to glorify him with our lives? I have built thee an exalted house, a place for thee to dwell in for ever." Then the king faced . The Ark of the Covenant is brought to the temple. i. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. 53For You separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be Your inheritance, (AM)as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.. Israel's God does make covenant. And then we not only pray for Gods continued presence but also for his direction. They always respond because they want Gods blessing on their marriage. Prayer for Gods people to remain fully committed to him (61-63). 1:10; [Rom. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they It was the Lord who provided all that they needed to complete the project. which revealed itself in boils. Eight years ago this sanctuary was completed and we began worshiping here but we never had a dedication service, because we didnt actually own the building yet. B. Solomon's prayer posture. This glorious Temple built under the direction of King Solomon had as one of it's purposes to be a witness to the world in that day. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the Lord. Even though men cannot prove the sin which has been committed by this "someone," God does know. The Temple stood as a testimony of the fulfilment of God's promise to his father David. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20). This splendid edifice is now completed, and will be dedicated to the Most High God on Friday, the 1st. 35-36). Please include the following statement on any distributed copies: Although we gather as a church to worship Christ, we must always be thinking of those outside the church who still need Christ. If the rains do not come because the people have sinned the livelihood of the majority of the people will be affected at once. After many particulars, Solomon concludes with the general request, that God would hearken to his praying people. From prior statements, such as his statement in 2 Chronicles 6:1-2, we might have thought that Solomon drifted towards a superstitious idea that God actually lived in the temple to the exclusion of other places. 106:6; Dan. No place, now, under the gospel, can add to the prayers made in or towards it. 27But (I)will God indeed dwell on the earth? The temple is dedicated and let God now arise to His dwelling place! Blasting refers to the singeing of the grain by the dry hot wind blowing from the desert. 32:11, 12; Deut. The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud. In their fasting and prayer, the people of Judah claimed the promises God had made in his covenant with Solomon at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8. b. Behold, heaven and the (J)heaven of heavens cannot contain You. By 1994 we had outgrown the older sanctuary, and so we began plans for a new sanctuary. This was not a blanket request for blessing on every military adventure. For this occasion Solomon has had a platform built which was five cubits wide and five cubits long and three cubits high. You and the ark of Your strength. that they may fear Thee all the days that they live in the land which Thou gayest unto our fathers. a. Solomon urges God to enter into an agreement with Israel that when the people pray to God, whether to relieve a famine, or to give them victory in combat against an approaching enemy, or to grant them forgiveness from their sins against God and against one another, that God would grant their request. Bible Stories - 1 Kings 8:22-66: Solomon's Prayer of DedicationThen Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spre. He had kept covenant with His people, and promised mercy to those who would walk in obedience ( 6:14 ). 6:36; Ps. For less than $5/mo. However, He has promised that His name would dwell there. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:34 9.4MB) King Solomon . And a place for You to dwell in forever.. b. 22-53), blesses the assembly again (vv. It is our "faith" with its own connotation. The ruler is on his knees before One who is the great Ruler of the universe (2 Chronicles 6:13)! We dedicate this sanctuary to be a house of prayer. 46When they sin against You (AC)(for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive (AD)to the land of the enemy, far or near; 47(AE)yet when they [d]come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of those who took them captive, (AF)saying, We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness; 48and when they (AG)return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and (AH)pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name: 49then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [e]cause, 50and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and (AI)grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them 51(for (AJ)they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, (AK)out of the iron furnace), 52(AL)that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 50And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy;(BA) 51for they are your people and your inheritance,(BB) whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace. 130:3; Prov. Look at verses 54-56: When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. If they are taken out of their land because of their sin! The mention of Gods hands (lit. When they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven: Solomon doesnt take it for granted that God would forgive and hear His repentant people. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. False (True or False) Solomon carried out David's instructions concerning his enemies, establishing his kingdom in his hand. It was a prayer of such detail and texture that it offered a good match for the stunning architecture and ornamentation of the temple itself. However, if they pray "toward," not at this place or in this place, but in their homes with their faces toward Jerusalem, may the Lord forgive the sins of the king and of the people and send rain so that they may again be able to live in the land the Lord has given them. (1 Kings 8:54-56). But then Solomon goes on to pray this second prayer of dedication in verses 54-63. He ruled Israel for forty years, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity for his people. Israel did not have a Nile river which made the whole land fruitful. God knows what is in their hearts. Dedication of the Temple - Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. 59And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each days need, 60so that all the peoples(BL) of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. (Read 1 Kings 8:54-63 and pray.). So yes, we pray for our needs as a church, and we ask God to meet those daily needs. 33-34). 30(N)And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. On that platform King Solomon stood and then knelt, as the description of this very impressive occasion tells us in the preamble to Solomon's prayer, in 2 Chronicles 6:12-17: Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands. God sent the promise on purpose to be used. This king does priestly work without violating the office of the priest as Uzziah later did. What does it mean to dedicate a building, or a child or a home? And that is all part of this third portion of Solomons prayer here in 1 Kings 8: a prayer for Gods name to be known among the nations. Our church began back in 1948 when a small group of people had a vision for a church in the newly developing community of Plantation, Florida. Nevertheless, it also reminds us of the principle in prayer of praying in the name of Jesus, the ultimate Anointed One. Surely, he does not mean it as an excuse. Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits . In this refrain he speaks of the riches of the experience of faith. 17:10]; Acts 1:24, 2 Chr. (1 Kings 6:37-38) Of course his father, King David, had spent many years prior to that making preparations and gathering supplies. This type of praying produced some marvelous results. The Ark has been brought in. And we do also give ourselves individually and unreservedly to you. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. II. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. 26:34, 44; Deut. (1-2) All of Israel assembles at Jerusalem. (BC), 52May your eyes be open(BD) to your servants plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you. Solomon's Temple is an example of how God used ancient Israel to point to greater realities. PASTOR: Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity; three Persons and one God: CONGREGATION: To you we dedicate this house. All rights reserved worldwide. Solomon used the phrasing of that passage to emphasize that the ark of the covenant and the symbol of Gods presence would wander no more and had finally come to its final resting place. Solomon having kept the feasts of tabernacles and dedication, dismisses the people 12. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.. In the last petition Solomon deals with the worst situation which can befall a people. Solomon declares that he's built a house for God. In this article: We may request cookies to be set on your device. Can a murderer, if he repents, be saved? Hear(N) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. The sense that sin is all-pervading dominates, epitomised in one of the clearest biblical statements about sins universality (there is no one who does not sin, 2 Chronicles 6:36). For any web postings, please link to the sermon directly at this website. Praying in the True Temple. And this is really the heart of what all dedications to God are all about. And so I ask them: How can you stand up in front of the church and promise to raise your child in the Lord when you arent following God yourself? It is a wonderful thing to want to dedicate your child to the Lord, but God wants you to dedicate yourself to him first. Suddenly this great and beautiful temple becomes very small and insignificant in comparison with the One for Whom it is built. If His people go to battle against their enemies, whether at home or in other countries, when they pray toward this place, may God hear them and maintain their cause. Remember the kindness of David, Thy servant (2 Chron.6:42). You have kept what You promised: Solomon first thanked and praised God for His past fulfillment of promises. 31When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take (O)an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, (P)condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. In his prayer do not reject your anointed one, the king now meant himself, though in subsequent usage it would express Israels hope in the coming Messiah. (Payne), (c) 2021 TheEnduring WordBible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. (1 Kings 8:57-58). 35, 46-49). This "fear of God" is a concept which we find frequently in the Old Testament. But understand that such a prayer of dedication only has meaning if you yourself are personally committed to the Lord. This was the greatest answer to prayer Israel could expect from God. And so finally after all the years of preparation and giving and building, the temple was complete. 25Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises(E) you made to him when you said, You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done. 26And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised(F) your servant David my father come true. True (True or False) Because he recognized that Solomon was given the kingdom by the Lord, Adonijah gave up his ambition to be king. But oh my friend, do try and use Gods promises; nothing pleases God better than to see his promises put in circulation; he loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say, LORD, do as thou hast said. And let me tell you that it glorifies God to use his promises. (Spurgeon). Solomon's Prayer of Dedication. And God did help them! It is an immense undertaking for that day to build such a building as the temple. David and Solomon were human instruments, but the work was Gods. b. Because really, what good does it do to commit a temple or a sanctuary or really anything to the Lord if you are not personally committed to the Lord yourself? Finally, Solomon prayed and anticipated the final judgment' war and national collapse.' War within is the ultimate destroyer of life, property and freedom. 22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands(B) toward heaven 23and said: Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like(C) you in heaven above or on earth belowyou who keep your covenant of love(D) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. I sometimes run into this with baby dedications. Before we try and answer that question, it is helpful to get a little background on this temple that Solomon was dedicating. Living together outside of marriage is direct disobedience to Gods commands, and God cannot bless disobedience. The apex of joy is realized in the dedication sacrifices and celebratory feast associated with this climactic moment in Jewish history. b. It is not therefore to be wondered at that, when Solomon dedicated to the Lord the temple which he had built, his great petition was that God would hear every prayer that should be uttered in that place or toward that place. And they took away all those beautiful items that adorned the temple. 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 . Solomon has no basis upon which to request anything except God's beloved mercy. 2 Chronicles 6:12-40 records the great prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon intercedes. 28:36, 64; 2 Kin. Can one who is condemned by the state to the death penalty still be a "worthy partaker of the table of His Son"? a. i. The Lord had promised David that his would be a dynasty, i.e., his children should sit on the throne of Israel through generations if they would fear Him and keep His commandments. King Solomon's Prayer Of Dedication Outlines The Importance Of The Temple The Jewish people do not believe in the spiritual Temple which is Jesus Christ. 1 Kings 8. You can check these in your browser security settings. Solomon is praying to the creator of the universe, who already owns all and knows all. 41As for the foreigner(AJ) who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name 42for they will hear(AK) of your great name and your mighty hand(AL) and your outstretched armwhen they come and pray toward this temple, 43then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. The temple was completed the 8 th month of 11 th year of reign. They were defeated because they had sinned against God! If you are going in one direction, and God wants you to go in a different direction, then you need God to turn you around. The work on this sanctuary is long completed. And so Solomon begins with thanksgiving and praise for what God has done. Only if they are faithful will they rule. When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men), that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.. V.22a ""Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel." This was a public prayer. What is especially notable is that foreigners could know and fear God like your people Israel. This hope of equality in worship was rarely expressed in the Old Testament (e.g. This was made of either brass or copper and Solomon took his position on this platform. We should pray for Gods continued presence and direction. Now we come to the seven petitions which Solomon speaks. How much less this temple which I have built! This Sunday's lectionary reading from the Old Testament contains a portion of King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:22-53). and more. Here are 3 key lessons from Solomon's prayer for wisdom that can give us spiritual wisdom, as well: 1. (1 Kings 8:59-60). The heavens, even the . I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever." a. King Solomon mentions several of them. So shall sin be done away and the righteous will not suffer for the unrighteous. The Temple was incomparable - just like the God who it was built for. - Solomon acknowledges that God cannot be contained in any temple. V. 22b Verse 54 tells us that he knelt on his knees: "when Solomon had finished praying all Click on the different category headings to find out more. 16:7; 1 Chr. Israel had prospered and had been victorious under the reign of David. No other God ever makes a covenant with the people whom he rules. Just because God promises does not mean that we possess. And so now we are finally in a position officially to dedicate this sanctuary to God and his glory. God will then judge the one who has committed the sin and the taint of sin which exists as long as the real sinner is not known will be removed from the whole people. Now therefore, 35When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain(U) because your people have sinned(V) against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. We should always begin with thanksgiving and praise for what God has done. Though only Jesus is God incarnate, the temple was a clear sign that God in all his being was committed to living among his people. (Selman), Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there; and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel. Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel. This referred to interpersonal disputes. (O), 31When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath(P) before your altar in this temple, 32then hear from heaven and act.
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