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 their houses of worship, Christian schools, businesses, other organizations, vehicles, their lives, and even the lives of their children to the LORD. Dedication is a praiseworthy thing that we admire.
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 us see what we can learn from King Solomon and the dedication of the temple he has built.
Dedication
When the building of Solomon's temple is complete, the king places all the furnishings in their proper place. Then he has the Ark of the Covenant (a small golden chest with two golden angels on top), the Tent of Meeting, and all the articles within that tent brought to Mt. Moriah, the site of the new temple.Afterward, Solomon installs the ark in the Most Holy Place. Then, he appoints the worship leaders (Levites) to sing songs of praise as they celebrate the symbol of God’s presence. When they finish singing, the glory of the LORD fills the temple so the Israelites cannot stand in his presence.
After installing the Ark, Solomon offers a prayer of dedication. What does he say? Does he praise the designers and planners? No, the designer is God. Does he celebrate the supervisors and laborers? Perhaps privately, but in public, Solomon praises the Almighty because he is faithful and has helped the young king build the temple. He kept his promise to David that his son would build a house of worship for the LORD.
Solomon then makes some requests of God. First, he wants the LORD to give him an enduring kingdom, as he promised his father, David.
Second, although even the highest of heavens cannot contain God, Solomon prays that the LORD will give special attention to this dwelling place. He prays that God will hear and forgive whenever anyone in Israel turns away from his sins, praying toward the temple. The king acknowledges that he and all his people are sinners, and they need forgiveness. Solomon even desires foreigners in the land to be heard when they seek the LORD by praying toward this holy place.
Responsibility
What is the response of the LORD to the dedication prayer of Solomon? God declares he will bless the nation of Israel for obedience, but if they forsake him, he will allow other countries to destroy the temple (1 Kings 9:1-9).
At first, the king and his people obey and are blessed, but in future lessons, we will see that God’s judgment will come upon them for disobedience. Today, the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim mosque, resides on Mt. Moriah. It is a testimony, not only of the Muslim faith but of Israel’s disobedience.
Do worshippers of the true God, i.e., Christians, have a temple today? Yes, our bodies are temples where the Spirit of God dwells. We are to glorify him in our bodies and our spirits, which belong to him (1Corinthians 6:19-20). We are 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 men is that they come to repentance (2Peter 3:9). He wants his Spirit to also dwell in them. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13, NIV).
As Israel has the responsibility of maintaining the temple and their spiritual lives, we also have a responsibility to maintain the things we dedicate to the LORD.
- If we commit a building to God, we are responsible for its care.
- If we donate a vehicle for his work, we should pay for its repairs and upkeep.
- If we dedicate ourselves to the LORD, we need to keep ourselves pure before him and be faithful in Bible study, prayer, and service.
- If we dedicate our children to the LORD, then we are responsible for teaching them the ways of God from his Word, the Bible, and in our daily lives. We are also responsible for praying for them, disciplining them with love, taking them with us to church, and leading them in discipleship and service.
Meaning, God is transcendant, above and beyond our comprehension, even above the universe
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 mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
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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