May 18-24 Temple

CommentaryCommentary

All the commentary in this lesson, unless otherwise

stated, is taken from:

The Word in LifeThe Word in Life TM

Study BibleStudy Bible

Psalm 127Psalm 127

Psalms 127:1 NET If the LORD does not build a house, then those who build it

work in vain. If the LORD does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.

Psalm 127Psalm 127

2 It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food.

Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even

when they sleep.

Psalm 127Psalm 127

3 Yes, sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Sons born during one's youth

are like arrows in a warrior's hand.

Psalm 127Psalm 127

5 How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! They will not be put to shame when they confront enemies at the

city gate.

Building and Prospering in the Building and Prospering in the Lord Lord

How much of our life depends on us, and how much depends on

God? This psalm reminds us that while human effort is important, ultimately we need to place our

confidence in the Lord. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the

home and with our children.

Protecting Your Heritage Protecting Your Heritage

Psalm 127 links the welfare of the family to the welfare of the city, and also connects both of

them to God. God is the ultimate source of strength to

home builders and city planners alike.

Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage

Those who build their house according to God's power and wisdom will have the

heritage of children who can "speak with their enemies in the gate," or public arena.


One implication of this psalm is that God's people belong in the

public sector. In fact, the objective of raising Godly

children is to produce godly people who will be involved in

public discourse.


However, there is a vast difference between

ancient Israel in Solomon's day and the

pluralistic society of today.


Modern-day believers face tensions unknown to

the ancient Israelites, particularly when it

comes to raising their children.


For example, should they educate their young people in the public sector, which has become increasingly secular and at times unruly, or should

they seek alternative schooling?


There are no hard and fast answers to this question. In the end, parents must do

what they believe is best for their children and right

before the Lord.


There are reasons why a godly family might withdraw its

children from public schooling. One of the most important is

that children are a valued heritage from the Lord.


Yet that could also be a reason to remain involved in the public system: children

are a heritage—not just one's own children, but all

children.


God's people have a civic duty to be a part of the public debate

about schooling, however they decide the question for their

own children. There is no place for believers to withdraw from

the world.


Scripture calls us to engage our "enemies [and

presumably our friends] in the gate." The involvement of Christians in the public arena is a complex issue.

Children—A Blessing, Not A Children—A Blessing, Not A Burden Burden

The modern world tends to send mixed messages about the

value of children, but the Bible is unequivocal in its affirmation

that children are a blessing from the Lord and a source of

happiness for parents.

Children—A Blessing, Not A Children—A Blessing, Not A BurdenBurden

This biblical view stands in contrast to modern thinking, which slowly but surely has

come to regard children as a burden on families and

communities, rather than a blessing.

Children—A Blessing, Not A Children—A Blessing, Not A BurdenBurden

Scripture is not blind to the realities of raising children. In fact, it

faithfully records many of the difficulties inherent in bringing

children into the world. Nevertheless, the Bible insists that children are ultimately a heritage

and a reward from God.

Psalm 128 Psalm 128

Psalms 128:1 NET How blessed is every one of the

LORD's loyal followers, each one who keeps his

commands!

Psalm 128Psalm 128

2 You will eat what you worked so hard to grow. You will be blessed and

secure.

Psalm 128Psalm 128

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner

rooms of your house; your children will be like olive branches, as they

sit all around your table.

Psalm 128Psalm 128

4 Yes indeed, the man who fears the LORD will be

blessed in this way. 5 May the LORD bless you from Zion, that you might see

Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,

Psalm 128Psalm 128

6 and that you might see your grandchildren.

May Israel experience peace!

Happiness in Daily LifeHappiness in Daily Life

Most people long for happiness. Psalm 128 shows that the way to have it is to fear the Lord and

walk with Him. The psalm paints a picture of peace and

security in the most basic areas of life—work and family.

Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great

ConflictConflictDo you ever experience tension

between your work and your family life? Most people do. Yet ironically, work and family are two of God's primary callings

for us. And often find them side by side in Scripture.


ConflictConflictSince the beginning of history, work and family have been the

two realms in which people have tended to find both the

greatest meaning and fulfillment and the deepest pain

and frustration.


ConflictConflictThe Bible reflects this paradox

by opening with the painfully realistic account of Adam and Eve. On the one hand, their

work in the garden and their life with each other brought them

great joy and significance.


ConflictConflictBut after they sinned, work

became "sweat", and family life produced pain, sorrow, and estrangement. The biblical

account goes on to record more stress between work and family

in the life of Abraham.


ConflictConflictAbraham used his wife Sarah as a

bargaining chip as he negotiated for food with the Egyptians. Later, he and his nephew Lot achieved so much wealth that they had to part ways in order to maintain a

peaceful relationship!


ConflictConflictAnother prime example of

frustration in work and family is Solomon. His success as a king was

spectacular, but his family life was not, affected as it was by the many political

marriages he made.


ConflictConflictIn the end, he found both his work and family to be very unsatisfying, even though he believed that

both were gifts from God to be treasured.


ConflictConflictPsalms 127 and 128 hold out hope

for these areas as well. By centering our work in the Lord, we can find a measure of fulfillment and reward. Likewise, family life

can be satisfying and secure when we build our homes on a godly

foundation.


ConflictConflictAs you think about the connections between your family and work,

how much do the members of your family know about your work?


ConflictConflictHow much do you know

about theirs? In what ways could your church help to bridge the gap

between work and family life?

David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to Solomon Solomon

1 Kings 2:1 NET When David was close to death, he told Solomon his son: 2 “I am about to die. Be strong and become a

man.

David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to SolomonSolomon

Do the job the LORD your God has assigned you by following his instructions

and obeying his rules, commandments,

regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses.


Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish, 4 and the LORD will fulfill his

promise to me,


'If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully

in my presence with all their heart and being, then,' he promised, 'you will not fail to have a successor on

the throne of Israel.'


David's charge to Solomon is, to keep the charge of the Lord. The

authority of a dying father is much, but nothing to that of a living God.

God promised David that the Messiah should come from his descendants, and that promise

was absolute;


but the promise, that there should not fail of them a man on the

throne of Israel, was conditional; if he walks before God in sincerity, with zeal and resolution: in order

hereunto, he must take heed to his way. (MHCC)

Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship

Solomon immediately is forced to defend his

kingship, and again it is Adonijah’s intent to grab

it away.


This time Adonijah is crafty and approaches the King’s mother Bathsheba

to do his dirty work.


He asks Bathsheba to ask Solomon for their

father’s virgin concubine Abishag to be given as

his wife.


Solomon received Bathsheba with all the

respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they

ought not to grant.


It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to

appear in a bad cause. According to eastern

customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as

his wife,


and Solomon could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly

prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by

catching at a crown. (MHCC)


1 Kings 2:22 NET King Solomon answered his

mother, "Why just request Abishag the

Shunammite for him?


Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for

him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son

of Zeruiah!"


23 King Solomon then swore an oath by the

LORD, "May God judge me severely, if Adonijah

does not pay for this request with his life!

Building The TempleBuilding The Temple

We read this week how Solomon built the

Temple and his palace. God’s hand was truly involved in the work.

Building The TempleBuilding The Temple

How else could craftsmen of that era chisel out stones so

perfectly that there were never sounds of hammers, chisels or any other tools at

the Temple site?

The Temple’s DedicationThe Temple’s Dedication

Let’s join the dedication service for the Temple. Here is part of

Solomon’s prayer.1 Kings 8:37 NET "The time will come

when the land suffers from a famine, a plague, blight and

disease,


or a locust invasion, or when their enemy lays

siege to the cities of the land, or when some other

type of plague or epidemic occurs.


38 When all your people Israel pray and ask for

help, as they acknowledge their pain and spread out their hands toward this

temple,


39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each

one based on your evaluation of his motives.


(Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of

all people.)

A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own

God cares about the personal needs of each believer.

Solomon's prayer of dedication is a passage of Scripture that especially supports belief in a

personal, loving God.


Solomon realized that the temple at Jerusalem was a place of prayer—not only a place in

which people would pray, but also a place toward which

people would pray.


The temple would be a representation of God's

presence on earth. So when people prayed toward

Jerusalem, they would be doing so in order to pray to the Lord.


When would people be likely to lift up their prayers? Surely

when they experienced trouble—famine, pestilence, blight,

and other plagues and sicknesses.


But it was not just general calamity that would move a

person to turn to the Lord, but one's personal needs as well, “the plague of his own heart” (most older translations) as Solomon

put It.


It's an intriguing thought—a plague of one's own, the point at which

the trouble, pain, and sorrow of a fallen world intersect with a

person's own heart and life. In that moment, when one "spreads out his hands" toward the Lord, God

hears.


What is the plague of your heart? What trouble

binds your soul so that you have nowhere else to turn but toward God?


Are you willing to lift up your prayers to Him? His

presence is abiding, and He has promised to hear your cry. Why not enter into His

presence right now?

DrawingDrawing Near to GodNear to Godin Enduring Faithin Enduring Faith

Hebrews 10:19 NET Therefore, brothers and sisters,

since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by

the blood of Jesus,


20 by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated

for us through the curtain, that is, through

his flesh,


21 and since we have a great priest over the

house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere

heart in the assurance that faith brings,


because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean

from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in

pure water.


As repentant, baptized believers, we have access

to God The Father through Jesus, God The

Son.

A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations

1 Kings 8:41 NET “Foreigners, who do not belong to

your people Israel, will come from a distant land

because of your reputation.


42 When they hear about your great reputation and your ability to accomplish

mighty deeds, they will come and direct their

prayers toward this temple.


43 Then listen from your heavenly dwelling place

and answer all the prayers of the foreigners.


Then all the nations of the earth will acknowledge your

reputation, obey you like your people Israel do, and

recognize that this temple I built belongs to you.


Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple at Jerusalem

showed that Israel's God was a God for all nations. The king

anticipated that foreigners from all over the world would be

drawn to the house of worship.


So he asked God to honor their prayers in order that "all peoples of the earth may know Your name

and fear You."

A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All NationsNations

One early answer to Solomon's prayer was a visit by the queen of Sheba, who had heard of the

splendors of Solomon's kingdom but wanted to see

them for herself.


After reviewing his accomplishments, she

praised God for what he had done for Israel.

Other visitors had similar reactions.


The temple was located at Jerusalem, but as Jesus

pointed out, (quoting Isaiah), it was meant to

be "a house of prayer for all nations."


Likewise, Israel was to be a blessing to the nations and a light showing the way toward the one true

God.


Similarly, Jesus teaches His followers to be a light to the

nations. Rather than bringing people to a central place of

worship, believers—who are themselves temples of the Holy

Spirit


are to go to the ends of the earth, taking the good news of

God's grace to all the peoples of the world.


2 Chronicles 6:14 NET and prayed: "O LORD God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth! You maintain covenantal loyalty to your servants

who obey you with sincerity.

A God We Can Count On A God We Can Count On

As Solomon began his prayer of dedication of

the temple, he described the Lord as the God who

keeps covenant and mercy.


This was a bedrock belief for the Israelites—that they worshiped a God

who could be counted on to keep His promises.


2 Chronicles 6:18 NET “God does not really live with

humankind on the earth! Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot

contain you, how much less this temple I have built!

A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less

Have you ever been tempted to think of a church building as either more or less important than it really is? Solomon's

prayer of dedication helps us gain a proper perspective on

how to view houses of worship.


On the one hand, Solomon's temple was just a building. As

such, it could not possibly contain the Lord. On the other hand, it was a site which God had chosen to bless with His

presence.


Thus the temple became a hallowed symbol that stood

for God. By the time of Jesus, however, people had

distorted Solomon's balanced perspective.


Some treated the temple as more than a building.

Whereas Solomon's temple was dedicated as a house

of prayer for all nations, the temple of Jesus' day


restricted Gentiles to an outer court, called the Court of the

Gentiles. Notices in Greek and Latin were posted to warn

Gentiles that they risked death if they trespassed into the inner

courts.


On the other hand, some treated the temple as less than a house of

prayer. Jesus strongly criticized the money changers for turning

the site into a "den of thieves," and He rebuked the Pharisees for their lack of respect for what the temple

symbolized.


It helps to keep these errors in mind as we think about the

significance and symbolism of church buildings today. Like the temple, no church structure can

lay sole claim to being the house of God.


At the same time, church buildings and what goes on in them are intended to point to God. So how we treat these sanctuaries in many ways reveals our attitude toward

God.

In all we do, do it all according to God’s will. We know it is God’s will

to hear His Word, believe and confess Jesus

is the Christ,

repent of our sins and have them washed away when we’re buried with Jesus in baptism. Then we must be willing to faithfully serve him all the days of our lives.

May 18-24 Temple

Spiritual

Transcript of May 18-24 Temple