Days 142-143, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5:1–7:10; Psalm 132; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 2Chronicles 7:11-22 (note: since this is a two-day Bible study, you may choose to do the Bible reading on May 22 and the Bible study on May 23)
Dedication and Responsibility
People dedicate many things to the Lord, including their homes, schools, businesses, and even their lives and their children’s lives. We admire their dedication and rejoice.
Because we commit things or people to the LORD, he has a responsibility to bless us, right? Do we have any personal or corporate responsibilities after the dedication? Let’s see what we can learn from today’s Bible reading: King Solomon and the dedication of the temple.
The Dedication
When the building of Solomon's temple is complete, the king places all the articles for sacrifice and worship in their proper places. Then he has the Ark of the Covenant, and all the rest of the furnishings within the Tent of Meeting brought to Mt. Moriah. This mountain is the site of the new temple.When ready, Solomon installs the ark in the Most Holy Place. Then, he appoints the worship leaders (Levites) to sing praise songs as they celebrate the symbol of God’s presence. When they finish singing, the glory of the LORD fills the temple so the Israelites can’t stand in his presence.
After installing the ark, Solomon offers a dedication prayer. What does he say? Does he praise the designers and planners? No, God's the designer. Does he celebrate the supervisors and laborers? Perhaps privately, but in public, Solomon praises the Almighty. He’s faithful and has helped the young king build the temple. He kept his promise to David that Solomon would build a house of worship for the LORD.
Solomon then makes some requests. First, he wants the LORD to give him an enduring kingdom, as he promised his father, David.
Second, although the highest of heavens cannot contain God, Solomon prays the LORD will give special attention to this dwelling place. He prays God will hear and forgive whenever anyone in Israel turns away from his sins, praying toward the temple. The king acknowledges he and all his people are sinners, and they need forgiveness. Solomon even desires forgiveness for foreigners when they seek the LORD by praying toward this holy place.Responsibility
What’s the LORD’s response to Solomon’s dedication prayer? God declares he’ll bless the nation of Israel for obedience, but if they forsake him, he’ll remove the temple.
At first, the king and his people obey and are blessed, but later God’s judgment would come upon them for disobedience. Today, the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim Mosque, resides on Mt. Moriah. It’s a testimony, not only of the Muslim faith but of Israel’s disobedience.
Would they ever get another chance or would they be doomed forever? Yes, God would restore them to their land and another temple would be built in the eras of the Persians, and Romans, and in the coming Milllenial reign of Christ.
Do worshippers of the true God have a temple today? Yes, our bodies are temples where the Spirit of God dwells. We’re to glorify him in our bodies and our spirits, which belong to him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We’re not to grieve the Holy Spirit by our attitudes, what we say, or by what we do (Ephesians 4:30).
God’s desire for all people is to repent (2 Peter 3:9). He wants to give each person eternal spiritual life, and he wants his Spirit to be present within them. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13, NIV).
Personal Application — Our Responsibilities
As Israel cared for the temple, how should we care for what we dedicate to God? Consider these thoughts.
- If we commit a building to God, are we responsible for its care?
- If we donate a vehicle for his work, should we pay for its repairs and upkeep?
- If we dedicate ourselves to the LORD, how can we keep ourselves pure and faithful? Here are three things that will help us:
1. Because God saved us by his grace, we should dedicate our lives to God, living sacrificially (Romans 12:1).
2. Set ourselves apart for God's use and keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:20-21),
3. Live holy and love others 1 Peter 1:14-19
If we dedicate our children to the LORD, then how can we teach them the ways of God and in our daily lives? Here are some ideas: End Notes
The Tent of Meeting was the Tabernacle. The furnishings of the Tabernacle in the outer court were the altar of sacrifice toward the entrance. It was the place where the people would bring their offerings to burn in dedication, or as a substitute for their sins.
A laver (big basin) was near for the priests to wash to be ceremonially clean.
Behind a thick purple and ornately designed curtain in the interior of the Holy Place was a small golden table of shewbread, a golden almond flowered lampstand, and a golden altar of for burning incense and offering prayers.
Behind another thick purple curtain in the tent was the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a small golden chest with two golden angels on top facing each other and the center of the lid (or mercy seat). Only once a year was a ceremonially clean high priest able to enter there to offer prayers and mediate for the people. Only a pure priest, shielded by incense, could approach God. To violate God’s holiness would mean his death.
Not only was Mt. Moriah the site of the new temple, but in Abraham’s day it was the place God told him to sacrifice his only promised son, Isaac. Later in history, Jesus Christ, God’s only son, would be sacrificed in that same place.
Meaning, God is transcendant, above and beyond our comprehension, even above the universe.
Repent means to have a change of mind leading to a change of behavior, turning away from sin to live for God.
Here are some ideas for the dedication of our children to the LORD and our responsibilities:
- We should pray for them, and discipline them in love.
- We want our children to follow God when they’re older, so God must be first in our lives. They must see God is our desire more than sports, technology, education, or any other pursuit.
- We must be genuine and never give them the idea we’re perfect. We must lead by example. Perhaps we can invite them to study the Bible with us and take them to church. There, they might experience discipleship and service. If that’s not possible, then we should take them with us as we disciple or serve others.
Focus Verse
1Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Discussion
What kinds of things or who do we dedicate to the LORD? If we commit them to the LORD, does he have an obligation to bless us? Why or why not?
Do we have any responsibilities to what or who we commit to the LORD? What should we do?
Christians, our bodies are temples to the presence of the Holy Spirit of God. How should we behave?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: If God has given us Wealth and Wisdom, how should we use it? Find out in our next lesson from the life of King Solomon.
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