305. THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON
"The house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods"
David, Israel's illustrious king, had desired to build a temple unto the name of Yahweh. This was not allowed by God and it was the privilege of Solomon, whose kingdom was noted for its peace, to construct the glorious building which stood for over 350 years before being destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
Our aim in this lesson is to see the greatness of the Temple and to learn spiritual lessons from its construction and its opening ceremony.
1 Kings 5-8; 2 Chronicles 2-7
SOLOMON PREPARES MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION (1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2).
Once peace had been established in the kingdom, Solomon began the preparatory work for constructing the Temple. He was helped considerably, for much of the treasure and material to be used in the Temple had already been collected by David years before (cf. 1 Chron. 22:14-16). David was also responsible for another blessing which was of immense value to Solomon in the construction. We learn from 1 Kings 5:1 that Hiram King of Tyre was "ever a lover of David" and so was delighted when Solomon requested cedar trees from Lebanon. A league, or treaty of peace, was made between Hiram and Solomon and hence a supply of timber was guaranteed. Solomon was to supply labour and a workforce of 30,000 men was organised for this purpose. To ensure that the men would be happy in their work Solomon arranged that gangs of 10,000 men at a time would spend one month away in Lebanon and then two months at home before their next turn (1 Kings 5:13-14).
Beside the 30,000 men, a further 70,000 were involved in bearing various burdens and another 80,000 were engaged in hewing stone out of the mountains near Jerusalem. These 150,000 labourers came from the strangers that dwelt in the nation; and so, coupled with the workmen of Tyre, a great many Gentiles were involved in the building of the Temple to Israel's God (cp. 2 Chron. 2:17).
The 3,300 overseers were Solomon's own officers (1 Kgs. 5:16). Thus a staggering total of 183,300 men were employed in the work of building a house to the glory of Yahweh's Name.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 6:7; 2 Chronicles 3:4).
The site chosen for the temple was Mount Moriah where Yahweh had appeared to David. Construction began in the second month of Solomon's 4th year and was completed in the 8th month of his 11th year. Seven and a half years were therefore spent in building. The Temple was not large compared with buildings of surrounding nations, but the liberal use of gold, which lined the entire interior; and the many treasures which were placed inside, gave it great glory and majesty.
Like the Tabernacle before it, the structure of the Temple, its furniture, and its priestly services were a parable of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who was greater than Solomon. In its layout, the Temple was proportional to the Tabernacle, with greater dimensions and richer ornamentation.
The building consisted of a front porch twenty cubits (i.e. around 10 metres) wide by ten cubits (5m.); the Holy Place twenty cubits (10 m.) wide and forty cubits (20 m.) long, and the Most Holy Place again twenty cubits (10 m.) square (see diagrams, pages 31, 32).
In the Outer Court were:
(1) the brasen altar, on which the sacrifices were offered;
(2) a molten sea supported by twelve oxen, which was used for the washing of the priests;
(3) ten lavers of brass, which were used to wash the offerings.
Students should be aware of the spiritual significance of these items from their lessons on the Tabernacle (Refer Stage 1 notes, Lesson 22).
In front of the Holy Place stood two pillars of brass, one named "Jachin" ("he shall establish"), and the other "Boaz" ("strength"). These two pillars represented man strengthened and established by the spiritual influences of God's word (see diagrams, pages 31, 32).
In the Holy Place stood:
(1) ten lampstands of gold, five on each side;
(2) ten tables of gold, five on each side, for the shewbread;
(3) the golden altar of incense, which most probably was placed in front of the veil before the Most Holy Place.
The veil, which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy, spoke of the atonement as achieved by God in Christ, and was of blue, purple and crimson, made of fine linen with wrought cherubim.
In the Most Holy Place, which stood for perfection, were two cherubim of gold which faced the veil and whose wings were outstretch-ed, so that they touched one another and the side walls. On entering the Most Holy Place, the high priest would face the cherubim with their wings stretching right across the chamber. Beneath the outstretched wings of the cherubim was placed the Ark which by now contained only the two tables of stone with their commandments.
Beside the Temple and its furniture, various other necessary objects were made, such as pots, shovels, fleshhooks, snuffers, basins and spoons. These items were made by Hiram, a skilled worker in brass from Tyre.
THE TEMPLE OPENED (1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5).
After seven and a half years in building, it must have been a very joyous occasion when the Temple was completed and ready for the opening ceremony. After installing the various items of furniture, Solomon then brought in the treasures which David his father had collected for the House. He then assembled the elders of Israel and all the princes to witness the wonderful scene of the Ark being brought up into its resting place in the Temple. It was in the 7th month at the Feast of Tabernacles when the priests took up the Ark, together with all the holy vessels that were in the Tabernacle, and brought them to the doors of the Temple. There Solomon and all the people sacrificed great numbers of sheep and oxen to Yahweh, and amidst all the splendour, the Ark was taken into the Most Holy Place, where it was placed beneath the overshadowing wings of the cherubim.
The climax of the opening ceremony had now been reached. As the priests retired to the Holy Place, the singers of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun with their sons and brethren uttered a glorious song of praise and thanksgiving to Yahweh accompanied by cymbals, psalteries and harps and 120 priests sounding with trumpets. As they sang to Yahweh, "for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever", the Temple was completely filled with a cloud, a manifestation of God's glory. So great was the glory that the priests could not stand to minister in their services.
SOLOMON'S PRAYER AT THE CONSECRATION OF THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 6).
No doubt Solomon was overwhelmed on this momentous occasion as he gazed upon the glorious structure filled with God's glory. Here was a typical fulfilment of the great promise made to his father David. With his heart full of joy, he outstretched his hands to Yahweh in heaven before all the people and offered a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. In his prayer Solomon extolled the virtues of Yahweh for His faithfulness and great mercy in allowing them to build the great Temple to be His dwelling place. Yet Solomon recognised that God could not really be contained in a small building when even the very heavens cannot contain Him: "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (2 Chron. 6:18; cp. Acts 7:47-49). Acknowledging his and the nation's lowly position before such a great God, Solomon then appealed to God to always look upon the House built for His name, to always hearken to the prayers of His people, whether in prosperity or adversity. Indeed Solomon feared that history would repeat itself and Israel would turn away from Yahweh. So he prayed for forgiveness in such eventualities (2 Chron. 6:22-39).
It is very significant, that in his prayer Solomon makes special mention of the stranger who desires to worship the God of Israel. There is no hint of Israelitish exclusiveness in Solomon's mind (vv.32, 33). He was anxious that the whole world might learn of Yahweh and worship Him in truth. Finally he appealed fervently to God to hear all supplications made in that place and to safeguard the throne of David (vv.40-42). To Solomon the dedication of the Temple was but a prefiguring of the more glorious day when Yahweh's glory would fill the whole earth and His saints would be clothed with salvation.
GOD'S ACCEPTANCE OF SOLOMON'S PRAYER AND THE PEOPLE'S DEDICATION (2 Chronicles 7:1-11).
When Solomon had made an end of praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifices. Here, in a dramatic way, God was indicating to Solomon and the people that his prayer had been accepted. The fire from heaven and the glory that filled the House had a marked effect on the people. They bowed to the ground and praised Yahweh, saying, "for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever" (v.3).
It was during the Feast of Tabernacles, which speaks of the ingathering of all nations into the purpose of God (Zech. 14:16), that the Temple was opened (2 Chron. 5:3). A vast number of people would have been present to watch the opening ceremony of the House of prayer. A multitude of sacrifices was offered by Solomon and the people € Solomon alone offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. There were songs of joy and praise as well. Catch the feeling of joy and gladness in the following words, "And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king's house; and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected" (2 Chron. 7:10, 11).
GOD WARNS SOLOMON (1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:12-22).
God had indicated His acceptance of Solomon's prayer with fire from heaven. He later appeared to Solomon by night with words of comfort and of warning. He re-affirmed His promise to bless Israel, if they would turn to Him in truth, and He told Solomon that His eyes would always be open and His ears attentive to prayer made in the House. However, the issues that faced Solomon and the people were made plain. If Solomon would walk before God as David his father had done, then God would indeed be with him and the Kingdom would remain: "There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel" (v.18). On the other hand, if Solomon turned away from Yahweh and forsook the statutes and commandments, serving other gods and worshipping them, then not only would the glorious Temple become desolate, but also Israel would be plucked up out of their land and become a byword among the nations.
With such a warning as this, one would have thought that Solomon would choose the path of wisdom: but alas, he too departed from the ways of Yahweh, and the terrible prediction of 2 Chronicles 7:20-21 became a reality.
SOLOMON'S TEMPLE A TYPE OF THE FUTURE TEMPLE.
Solomon's Temple was constructed as a dwelling place for Yahweh, but it also revealed by symbols and types how a true Israelite could approach unto the Father and so become in turn a dwelling place of God In the Temple of the future age to be established in Jerusalem, faithful Israelites and Gentiles will find a place of immortality in the presence of David's greater son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are many spiritual lessons that can be gained from the construct ion of Solomon's Temple. The Scriptures present the Temple as a type of the House of prayer for all nations to be set up at Christ's return. Full details of this glorious Temple are given in Ezekiel 40-48. An interesting exercise is to explore the many lessons and types in Solomon's Temple. Listed below are but a few: €
1 The stone for the Temple was quarried from the hills near Jerusalem and shaped, away from the Temple, before being fitted in the construction. Likewise the saints, creatures of the earth, are shaped by the influences of God's word, to become the living stones of God's spiritual temple (1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:19-22).
2. Three timbers were used. Cedar, being very durable, spoke of incorruption (Psa. 92:12). The fir tree, being very strong, spoke of strength derived from God (Hab. 3:19). The olive, which produces light-giving oil, is a symbol of divine enlightenment and truth (Zech. 4:3).
3. Both Israelites and Gentiles were involved. Isaiah indicates that not only will "strangers" assist in the building in the future, (Isa. 60:10), but "the glory of Lebanon" shall come to beautify the place of God's Sanctuary.
4. Tyre assisted Solomon, and in the Age to Come, modern day Tyre will be among the first to honour the greater than Solomon (Psa. 45:12).
5. Solomon not only built the Temple, but also made a house for Pharaoh's daughter, his wife (1 Kgs. 7:8). Those who attain unto immortality, having come out of spiritual Egypt, shall likewise find a dwelling-place with Christ as his "bride" (Psa. 45:10-11, 14-15).
Psalm 45 may have been based on the marriage of Solomon to the daughter of Pharaoh.
6. Just as the glory of Yahweh filled the Temple at the opening ceremony, so Ezekiel reveals that the Temple of the Age to Come
shall be filled with God's glory (Ezek. 43:4).
7. Solomon desired that the Temple be the house of prayer, not only for Israel, but "for all people of the earth" (2 Chron. 6:33). The Temple of the future age will indeed become "the House of Prayer for all nations", when God's glory shall fill the whole earth (Isa. 56:6-8).
8. The opening of Solomon's Temple was during the Feast of Tabernacles. From year to year people shall go up to Jerusalem to worship Yahweh and there keep the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech. 14:16).
LESSONS FOR US:
€ Though the Temple of Solomon was a glorious edifice, it would avail nothing unless the hearts of Solomon and Israel were right in God's eyes. There was always the danger of assuming that the building itself imparted sanctity to the people irrespective of their attitude.
€ We too, as young people of God, must recognise that the ecclesia cannot give us righteousness, but our individual attitude is what is important in God's eyes. There is the danger of putting value in external appearance, whereas God looks upon the heart. "For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa. 57:15).
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield) € Vol. 4, No. 8
"Law and Grace" (W.F. Barling) € Chapter 5
"Law of Moses" (R. Roberts) € Pg. 95-154
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. What things are typified by the fact that Solomon used Gentile workmen in building the Temple?
2. In what way did the Temple of Solomon differ from the Tabernacle?
3. What main lessons can we learn from Solomon's prayer at the opening of the Temple?
4. What warnings did God give to Solomon when the Temple was consecrated?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. Give a description of Solomon's Temple and its furniture and briefly outline the spiritual lessons gained there from.
2. Outline how the construction and opening of Solomon's Temple prefigured the Temple of the Age to Come.
3. What main points did Solomon cover in his prayer at the consecration of the Temple? What was God's answer to him? Briefly comment on the lessons for us in these things.
In the fourth year of his reign, Solomon built the "house of the LORD". Like the tabernacle before it, its structure, furniture and priestly services were a parable of the redemptive work of Christ yet to be revealed € "a shadow of heavenly things" (Ex. 25:40; Heb. 8:5; 9:9, 23, 24). It was an exceedingly beautiful structure and became the soul and seat of the nation's affections (1 Chron. 22:5; 1 Kgs. 10:5; Isa. 64:11). The details of its structure and dedication are twice recorded (1 Kgs. 5-8; 2 Chron. 2-7).
The reign of Solomon foreshadowed Messiah's and the Temple was typical of the "house of prayer for all nations" to be built by David's greatest son and heir (Isa. 56:7; 2 Sam. 7:13; Zech. 6:12, 13).
SITE: Mount Moriah, where earlier Abraham had "offered" Isaac, and David had sacrificed that the plague might be stopped (cp. 2 Chron. 3:1; 1 Chron. 21:22-30; 22:1; Gen. 22:2, 14; Deut. 12:11).
TIME OF BUILDING: It commenced in the 2nd month of Solomon's 4th year and was completed in the 8th month of his 11th year (1 Kgs. 6:1, 37, 38; 2 Chron. 3:2).
LABOUR FORCE: Lumbermen, carpenters, burden-bearers and stone masons were drawn from Israel and Tyre, while the chief officers were Solomon's servants (1 Kgs. 5:6, 13-18; 2 Chron. 2:17; cp. Isa. 60:10-13).
GENERAL PLAN: Proportional to the Tabernacle, but basic dimensions doubled and ornamentation richer.
Interior measurements: length 60 cubits, breadth 20 cubits, height 30 cubits. It was divided into 3 sections, namely, The Most Holy Place (Oracle), The Holy Place, and The Court.
€ The walls were made of quarried stone shaped and hewn prior to construction. These were lined with cedar, carved with cherubim, palm trees, open flowers and gourds and overlaid with gold (1 Kgs. 6: 7, 15, 18, 21, 29).
€ The Floors were of fir or cypress and lined with gold (1 Kgs. 6:15, 30).
€ The Ceiling was of beams and planks of cedar and lined with gold (1 Kgs. 6:9, 22).
€ The Doors of the Most Holy Place were of olive carved with cherubim, palm trees, open flowers and overlaid with gold (1 Kgs. 6:31-32).
€ The Doors of the Holy Place were 2 in number and each had 2 folding leaves. They were of fir and similarly carved and lined (1 Kgs. 6:33-35).
MATERIALS € SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
1. STONE. These stones were taken from the earth and shaped beforehand to God's specifications. In a similar way the saints, the "living stones" of God's spiritual house, are being "taken out of" the Gentiles and prepared as God's abiding places (1 Kgs. 6:7; 1 Pet. 2:5; John 14:23).
2. TIMBERS.
(1) Cedar € very durable = Incorruption (Ps. 92:12; 1 Cor. 15:53).
(2) Fir € very strong = Strength of God (Eph. 6:10; Hab. 3:19).
(3) Olive € produced the oil which illuminated the Holy Place = Enlightenment of the Spirit Word (Ex. 27:20; Ps. 119:130; Neh. 9:20, 30; Zech. 4:14; Acts 10:38; Rev. 1:20).
3. METALS. Gold was used exclusively in the Holy and Most Holy Places (see notes on Most Holy for significance), while brass was
used for the Court (see notes on Brasen Altar for significance).
THE OUTER COURT
Where acceptable worship commenced = MENTAL SANCTIFICATION AND CLEANSING.
Special Features:
1. BRASEN ALTAR (2 Chron. 4:1). Was "most holy" (Ex. 29:37) = Christ (Heb. 13:10). It "made holy" that which touched it (Heb. 2:10). It was the first object barring direct access to the Most Holy and speaks of the prerequisite
of sacrifice at the Christ-altar (Rom. 12:1, 2). Brass = Sin's flesh (Num. 16:38-39; 31:22-23; 21:8; Ex. 38:8; Heb. 2:14; Rom. 8:3).
2. MOLTEN SEA (2 Chron. 4:2-5; 1 Kgs. 7:23-26). Equivalent to the Laver. Hands and feet (= works and walk) to be washed with water ( = Word of God Eph. 5:26; Acts 26:16), BEFORE the brasen altar could be approached (Ps. 26:6; Ex. 30:18-21). It stood on 12 oxen (12 = Israel's tribes, and the oxen = service). Before we can offer acceptable worship we must be cleansed and educated by the Word (John 15:3; 17:17).
TEN LAVERS and their stands (1 Kgs. 7:27-39). There were 5 on each side of the Court, and they were used to wash the burnt offerings (2 Chron. 4:6; Lev. 1:9).
TWO PILLARS of Brass before the Holy Place (1 Kgs. 7:15-22). Were named Jachin (= He will establish) and Boaz (= Strength). They represent "flesh" purged, strengthened and caused to stand by God's redemption (Rev. 3:12; Dan. 10:18-19; 12:13).
THE ASCENT (1 Kgs. 10:5). Heb. "Olah", the word generally translated "burnt offering" (cp. Ezek. 40:26) = Dedication to Yahweh's exalted service and hence a sweet savour in His nostrils (Eph. 5:2).
THE HOLY PLACE
Was midway, the second stage, and stands for the MORAL CLEANSING required as one walks toward the Kingdom of God (1 Jn. 3:3). It is a parable of spiritual Israel in a state of covenant relationship to God. The brasen altar and molten sea (laver) are behind and the Presence of God lies ahead.
Special Features:
1. TEN LAMPSTANDS of gold, 5 on each side of the Holy Place (2 Chron. 4:7; 1 Kgs. 7:49) = Jesus and Ecclesia from whom the light of the knowledge of the Truth radiates in a dark world (2 Cor. 4:6; Jn. 1:9; Phil. 2:15; Rev. 1:20; Matt. 5:14-16; Deut. 4:6; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23).
OIL € supplied by all Israel, and thus the Lampstands represent the nation (Ex. 27:20, 21).
SEVEN BRANCHES € 7 was the number of the Mosaic Covenant and so they were reminded of their relationship to God (Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:16-17; Lev. 26:15,18, 21, 24, 34, 35). Also stands for the perfection of knowledge and wisdom pertaining to God (Rev. 4:5; 5:6; Zech. 4:2; 3:9).
TEN € Completeness, finality (Luke 19;13; Gen. 31:7; Num. 14:22; Dan. 1:20; Zech. 8:23; Lev. 26:26; Job 19:3; 1 Sam. 1:8). Hence "ten", associated with the illuminating lampstands, represents Christ, in whom wisdom is final and complete (Col. 2:8-10; 1 Cor. 1:18-24, 30).
2. TEN TABLES OF SHEWBREAD (2 Chron. 4:8, 19; 1 Kgs. 7:48), with 12 loaves on each (Lev. 24:5-9). 12=12 tribes of Israel; loaves = meal offering, the fruit of their labours; and Aaron and the priests represent God. When the priests ate the "bread of God" (Lev. 21:6), God was symbolically accepting the fruit of their labours. Frankincense on the bread was burned, producing a delightful fragrance, indicating God's pleasure (Lev. 24:7). The bread was replaced "every sabbath" € the day which was the "sign of the covenant", commemorating their redemption from bondage (Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:16, 17).
3. INCENSE ALTAR of cedar overlaid with gold (1 Kgs. 6:22). Ascending incense = The prayers of saints on the Christ-altar (Psa. 141:2; Luke 1:7-10; Rev. 5:8 marg; 8:34). It belonged to the inner sanctuary or Most Holy (1 Kgs. 6:22 RSV). Hence "prayer" made access into "heaven itself" (Heb. 6:19; 9:24). Only fire from the brasen altar could be used, the lesson being that prayer is only acceptable on the basis of atonement for sin through Christ. No "strange incense" was permitted € only that which was divinely prescribed was to be used (Ex. 30:9, 34; Lev. 16:12; Acts 4:12; John 15:4-5).
THE VEIL (2 Chron. 3:14) Heb. "paroketh" = "separation". It was a barrier separating Israel from God. As such it was a fitting symbol of the impotence of the Law of Moses to transcend the limits of flesh nature and give life (Gal. 3:21; Rom. 8:3). That is, it represented the "flesh" and the Law which barred from God (Heb. 10:20). It was made of white linen ( = the righteousness of saints, Rev. 19:7-8) in which were wrought the colours Blue (= God's law, Num. 15:38), Purple (= redemption, John 19:2), and Scarlet (= man and sin, Isa. 1:18; Matt. 27:28; Lev. 14:4, 6). The principles of the atonement were first wrought in Christ's flesh and by perfect obedience the veil was rent, yielding access to the Most Holy (Heb. 2:10-14; 5:5-8; 10:20; Matt. 27:51).
THE MOST HOLY PLACE
The final stage, the goal of Israel's spiritual life, and as such it represents €
(1) God's presence or "heaven itself" (Ex. 25:21-22; Heb. 6:18-20; 9:24).
(2) PHYSICAL CLEANSING, incorruption, immortality in the kingdom (Heb. 10:34; Col. 3:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:50-54).
Special Features
1. SHAPE € A perfect cube (1 Kgs. 6:20) = the perfected ecclesia, one with God (Rev. 21:16, 3).
2. GOLD € Overlaid everything. Is precious and incorruptible and as such stands for the riches of the "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled" € eternal life (1 Pet. 1:4-7; Rev. 21:18; Psa 45:9, 13), and also for proven faith, by which immortality is attained (Rev. 3:18; Job 23:10).
3. CHERUBIM (1 Kgs. 6:23-28) = The perfected ecclesia, the multitudinous Christ-body, now having attained the goal (Ezek. 1; 43:1-3; Rev. 4:7; 5:9-14). In the Tabernacle the wings overshadowed the mercy seat, but here they are also outstretched, apparently in conformity with the universal aspect of Solomon's kingdom (1 Kgs. 4:21, 24, 34).
4. THE ARK € contained only the enduring tables of the covenant (2 Chron. 5:10) = God's glorious dwelling place (Num. 7:89; Psa. 80:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; John 1:14, "dwelt" = "tabernacled").
5. THE MERCY SEAT ABOVE = Christ, where God will meet with us (Ex. 25:22; Rom. 3:25 "propitiation" = "mercy seat"). God is a moral Being and will meet with us only on the basis of His Will for holy living as expressed in the 10 commandments written on the tables of stone beneath the mercy seat.
6. THE STAVES were left in the ark and protruded into the Holy Place (1 Kgs. 8:8 RSV). It was thus ready for transit and the lesson was impressed that Solomon's Temple was not His true and final resting place, but rather the poor and contrite in heart, who tremble at His Word (Acts 7:47-49; Isa. 66:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:16).
The mercy seat was sprinkled once a year with the atoning blood to obtain forgiveness (Lev. 16:14-15). Hence no fellowship was possible except on the basis of the "shedding of blood". Yet once atonement was effected, then "fellowship" with God was attained, as entrance into the Most Holy symbolised.
OVERALL TEACHING Is expressed in Ex, 25:8, "Let them make me a sanctuary That I may dwell among them". The Temple revealed how man could be reconciled to God. To the outer court, man came; and in the Most Holy, God dwelt. The stages in between reveal how man, by complying with God's requirements, could obtain redemption and ultimately immortality. Thus the Most Holy beckoned Israel forward and stood as the goal. Here was the heart of the Sanctuary, the presence of Yahweh Himself, that condition of perfect and permanent fellowship with Him who had redeemed Israel specifically to manifest His glory in and through them.
THE TRUE HOUSE
While Solomon's Temple was awe-inspiring and God did manifest His glory in it, it could not contain Him. Even the builder realised this (1 Kgs. 8:11, 27). No house made by man's hand could adequately provide for Him, but He has Himself declared that He will dwell with him "that is of a contrite and humble spirit" (Isa. 57:15; 66:1-2). By faith He is taken into the hearts of such and their obedience reveals that He is there (Eph. 3:16-19; 2:21-22). "If any man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).
Wickedness caused the glory of God to depart from Solomon's Temple and the Babylonians desecrated it (Ezek. 10:4, 18, 19; 11:23; 2 Kgs. 25:8-17). In its place God has laid the foundation stone of an entirely different house: "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation". Men, as lively stones, are invited to build thereon on the basis of faith: "he that believeth shall not make haste" or be ashamed (Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:33; 10:11-12; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-7). "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God ... He that hath an ear, let him hear".
References:
"Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield) Vol. 4, No. 8.
"Law and Grace" (W.F. Barling) Chapter 5.
"Law of Moses" (R. Roberts) pp. 95-154.
Available as a Bible insert from the Christadelphian Scripture Study Service