1 Kings 8
New furniture was made for the big Temple. We are not told what had become of that which had been in the Tent of God, perhaps it had been taken by an enemy. The new things were made like the first ones, only larger. There was a gold table for the loaves of bread, a gold altar for incense, a gold lampstand, and a new embroidered veil for the door of the inner room, also a big new brass altar and bright brass lavers for washing.
But one thing, the large gold covered chest, called the Ark, was not made new, the same one was used in the Temple as had been made at Mt. Sinai. It was on the Ark the blood was placed each year for God to forgive their sins, so it taught of the Lord Jesus, by whom only God can forgive. So there could be but one Ark.
When all was ready, King Solomon, with the chief men of Israel, the priests, and the Levites went to Mt. Zion, nearby, for the Ark and carried it to the Temple. The men wore white robes to show God’s holiness, and there was a great procession with many to sound trumpets, and play harps, and many singing praise to God.
The Ark was placed beyond the veil in the inner room, called the Holy of Holies, under the large gold wings there. Many sacrifices were offered on the altars, and God sent fire from heaven to consume the offerings, and a cloud, not dark, but so bright the light filled the Temple and the men could not stand before it. This made them all know that the Lord was satisfied and pleased with the House for Him, and showed them of His glory and holiness.
The people bowed down, and praised God, saying, “He is good, His mercy endureth forever.” There was much singing which was as though by one voice. So it was a time of great joy.
The king stood on a big brass platform and spoke in thanks to God for His goodness, and said for the people to remember God’s Words and to do them: he knelt and asked God to forgive their sins, and told them if, because of sin, trouble should come, famine, sickness, or war, they should pray at the temple, or if, in another land, they should pray to God looking, toward this temple at Jerusalem. Even a person who did not belong to Israel who wished to pray to God, could come there, which shows that God has always been willing to bless whoever believed in Him. This is all. told also in 2 Chronicles, Chapters 5-7.
The Tent of God, or Tabernacle, with what dishes were left, was also placed in the temple., The two tablets of stone, on which the ten commandments were written by Moses, were all that were in the Ark. The other writings must have been kept elsewhere, and the gold dish of manna and Aaron’s rod were missing (See Deuteronomy 31:24-20; 2 Kings 22:88And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. (2 Kings 22:8)).
Since the Lord Jesus was refuse& as King and Messiah of Israel, those who believe in Him are not told to build temples for God, “He ... .dwelleth not in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:2424God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (Acts 17:24)).
But His people are now called His temple, for Christ said He would meet with those who honor Him, and it may be in a plain room as the early disciples did (Acts 12:1212And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12) and 20:8, also Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20); John 4:21-2421Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21‑24)).
ML 01/15/1939