1 Kings 8
THE elders of Israel were assembled, and all the heads of the tribes at Jerusalem, to meet Solomon, that the ark of the covenant should be brought out of Zion and put in its resting place in the holiest of all. Sheep and oxen without number were offered in sacrifice upon this occasion. The ark was placed under the wings of the cherubim, and the staves by which it had been carried on the long journey from Sinai to Canaan were long, so that their ends were seen from the holy place,—reminder of that faithful God who had accompanied His people in all their journeys, until at last He could rest in a house where His people might be gathered around, and they to dwell with Him. The ark was not altered, though all its surroundings were changed to suit the grandeur of Solomon’s reign, and as the ark prefigures or typifies Ghrist, we are reminded that He will always be the same unchanging Person. “This same Jesus” as the angels said (Acts 1:1111Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)), and the Epistle to the Hebrews declares Him (chapter 13:8) “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.” Aaron’s rod, and the pot of manna which had been in the ark, were now gone; there was nothing in it but the law, —the rule of righteousness had displaced grace. So it will be in the millennium.
When the priests had deposited their burdens in the holy place and gone out, the cloud which marked Jehovah’s presence filled the house so that the priests could not stand to do their service. And now Solomon addressed himself to God in prayer. The heavens, and the heaven of heavens, could not contain God, yet would He condescend to dwell on earth. Solomon’s prayer is not based upon the sovereign favor of God in His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but upon the word expressed by Moses, the law. Much in fact reminds us of Moses’ words in Deuteronomy, in view of the people’s failure. Then he blessed the people, desiring God’s blessing for them, that they should walk in His statutes and keep His commandments.
Twenty-two thousand oxen, and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep, were sacrificed in peace offerings in this dedication of the house; the brazen altar was too small to receive the offerings. Seven days the congregation remained, and then on the eighth day they were sent away, joyful and glad of heart for all God’s goodness.
Sad to say, the rejoicing was soon to end, and the people were soon to turn from the true God to idols!
ML 06/05/1927