The Temple!

Monday May 21 2012

! Chronicles 22:19.  “ Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart.  Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honour the Lord’s name.”

In the Old Testament, the Jerusalem Temple contained no idols, only a box called the “Ark” containing the two tablets of the law with the symbolic worshipping cherubim above. 

The central place of the temple in the religious life of ancient Israel is reflected throughout the Bible.  It was known for the lavish beauty rather than the size and was built to exact specifications.

The purpose of the Temple was to house the Ark of the Covenant and as a Holy place of worship. Lay Israelites were not allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, which was the inner court of the Temple.  Only the Priests were allowed here.  The temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC but rebuilt by Herod later as a much bigger structure in 37 - 4 BC. 

 When Jesus was crucified, the curtain that divided the temple was rent in two, symbolizing the destruction of the division between the Jewish Priests and Christians.  Everyone is now able to come into the Holy of Holies and every one of us has access to a relationship and the presence of the most high God. The temple was burned when Jerusalem fell to the Roman armies in August AD 70.  The word “temple” is used, in the New Testament, figuratively in a number of ways, which we will read about further as this week progresses.

Dear Lord, Help me to understand your Word and the importance of the symbols used to convey the message of hope and promise. As I learn to use and respect my body as your Holy Temple, may you become the focus of my life so that your love may be seen in me. I realize you, oh Lord, are the giver of wisdom and understanding and I pray that your covenant will be evident in my life as I strive to live for you.  In Jesus name, amen..