Heaven's Royal Sacrifice--The Temple--Day 8

 

The Temple

My Bible Study group--Much Needed G.I.R.L. Time--did a study on First Kings way back in January  2020.  ( I published it on this blog in May of 2020) I spent so much time doing the math of the measurements, converting cubits into inches and feet and yards.  You can drown in the details, but the details are there for a reason.  

I'm not going to pretend I completely understand what happened in the 440 years between Moses's Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple.  The tabernacle was meant to be mobile, as it traveled with the Israelites through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.  A jar of manna, the flaky food that God miraculously provided the Hebrews in the wilderness, was added to the ark of the covenant.  Manna  We learn from Hebrews 9:4 that Aaron's staff was also added. Aaron's staff  The ark itself was stolen, given away, misplaced over the years, and to this day no one knows where it is.  Most scholars believe that the harsh conditions of the wilderness eventually broke down the fabrics of the tabernacle and they were possibly discarded.  

In 2 Samuel 7, King David had it in his heart to build the LORD God a permanent dwelling place.  King David feels guilty that he lives in a house of cedar, while God lives in a tent of curtains.  However, God tells David He has been content to live in a tent.  It will not be King David who builds God's temple, but it will be King Solomon--David's yet-to-be-born son.  King Solomon takes that dream as his own in 1 Kings 5:3-4.  The details drawn out for the temple sound much the same as the tabernacle, but bigger, more elaborate, and more permanent.  Skilled artisans are commissioned to work with precious metals, wood, dye, and fabric. 2 Chronicles 2:7  The same colors are used in the temple veil--

"He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, and he wove cherubim into it." 

(2 Chronicles 3:14)

In 1 Kings 8, the ark was moved into the temple. When the priests came from placing the ark in the holy place, the cloud filled the LORD's temple.  The priests were not able to continue ministering because of the glory of the LORD in the temple.  

God has put His "stamp of approval" on the temple, His new dwelling place.  I wonder if these priests 440 years after the priests first commissioned the tabernacle stood  and wondered anew at the tapestry that was the veil covering the Holy of Holies.  What picture was it painting for them?  What story did it want them to see?  I imagine the tapestry was majestic to behold.  Did they get lost in its beauty and intricate weaving?  Or did they see beyond  to the promise of a future King who would be the righteous, pure, sacrifice from Heaven?  When King Solomon dedicated the temple, he turned to the congregation and prayed--

"But will God indeed live on the earth?" (1 Kings 8:27)

Look to the tapestry.  Look to the veil.  Yes.  Yes He will.