1 Kings 8:1-21
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 8:1-21
From the beginning of the Old Testament, God told us of his presence with the people of Israel. He was present in the highs and in the lows.
Now, through Solomon, he has a "permanent" dwelling place.
The temple is a beautiful picture of the gospel. The most holy place can only be accessed by the high priest. It is so set apart and so holy that they had to tie a rope around his waist in case the glory and holiness of God caused the priest's sudden death.
Through this temple Solomon built and dedicated for the glory of the Lord, God fulfilled his promise to David (v. 20).
In the New Testament, we understand that as great as this temple was, it was still a finite symbol for the presence of the Lord. But we also see the more permanent temple for the presence of the Lord now exists in God’s redeemed and forgiven people — the church.
God’s promise still stands — through Christ, we have access to the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. We, collectively, are the true temple of God’s presence because of what Jesus has accomplished in his life, death and resurrection, and through our repentance and belief in the gospel.
Written By: Graham Withers
From the beginning of the Old Testament, God told us of his presence with the people of Israel. He was present in the highs and in the lows.
Now, through Solomon, he has a "permanent" dwelling place.
The temple is a beautiful picture of the gospel. The most holy place can only be accessed by the high priest. It is so set apart and so holy that they had to tie a rope around his waist in case the glory and holiness of God caused the priest's sudden death.
10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
In the New Testament, we understand that as great as this temple was, it was still a finite symbol for the presence of the Lord. But we also see the more permanent temple for the presence of the Lord now exists in God’s redeemed and forgiven people — the church.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
God’s promise still stands — through Christ, we have access to the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. We, collectively, are the true temple of God’s presence because of what Jesus has accomplished in his life, death and resurrection, and through our repentance and belief in the gospel.
Written By: Graham Withers
No Comments