1 Chronicles 28:6-7
Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’
INSIGHT
-The Jerusalem temple was one of the most significant structures ever built in the Old Testament. The temple was also useful for worship, prayer, ritual sacrifice, ritual cleanings etc. It housed the Ark of the Covenant that represented the presence of God. Those who prayed there received Gods’ blessings (1 Kin 8:14-53). It was destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar II after the siege of Jerusalem (2 Kin 25:8-10) and its subsequent rebuild under the decree of Cyrus king of Persia (Ezra 1:1-4; 1 Chro 36:22). In the New Testament, Jesus was tempted at the pinnacle of the temple (Lk 4:9), He taught there during the day (Lk 21:37-38) and cautioned those who made the temple a den of thieves rather than a place of prayer (Mk 11:16-17). Jesus promises us that He will bring forth the new Jerusalem where He will establish us forever (Rev 3:11-12).
-Even though king David had all the plans for the vestibule, its houses, treasuries, upper chambers, inner chambers and the place of the mercy seat, he could not built the temple for he had shed blood (1 Chro 28:3). He handed the plan over to his son Solomon as instructed by God; which also included the articles of service, treasury, weight of the table of show bread, lamp-stands, cherubim, altar of incense which had different functions. David encouraged him to be strong and follow the commandments of God, and to always serve Him with a loyal heart and willing mind.
PRAYER
Lord Almighty Father; we thank You and give You all the praise for You are good and Your love for us is everlasting. Thank You for You have enabled us to see this day full of health. It is not by our power nor by might but by Your Spirit Lord. Remember Abba Father; all those who are sick and suffering that You may heal them; for by Your stripes we are healed. Have mercy Lord on all the street families, widows and orphans that You may provide for all their needs. Remember also Father those who are in prison and those have criminal and civil cases; that You may deliver them by Your powerful hand. Be with all our leaders and those who are conducting the national census merciful Father that You may grant them success in their duties. Remember also Lord all the children who are preparing to go back to school that You may guide them and protect them in all their endeavors. Be with all churches Lord and all those who serve with different gifts and capacities; that You may use us to cause transformation to the world according to Your will. Help us Lord to always follow Your will and serve You with loyal hearts. You deserve all our worship and praise Jesus, now and forever. Amen
1 Kings 8:41-43
“Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
INSIGHT
-When king Solomon had completed building the Jerusalem temple, he made a prayed for people including foreigners who would visit the temple. Jerusalem became a famous tourist destination and many like queen of Sheba visited king Solomon due to his wisdom and magnificence; and honoured him with gifts. Others including pilgrims today; visit Jerusalem and pray according to this prayer of faith despite it having been destroyed. According to king Solomon, God is Lord to both Jews and Gentiles; and His blessings also fall upon foreigners. Further, God is Omnipresent and hears our prayers wherever we are. God calls us to have firm faith in Him in all things and He will answer us according to His merciful love.
PRAYER
Lord Almighty Father we come before You today with thanksgiving in our hearts. We thank You for You have been with us and for us at every moment of our lives. You have protected us, provided for us, corrected us, directed us, sustained us, blessed us, healed our wounds and granted us Your everlasting grace. We humbly pray that You may continue to bless us and journey with us so that at the appointed time; we may achieve all that You have ordained for us. You are God of both the Jews and Gentiles Jehovah; answer our prayers and fulfil our hearts desires. Expand our territories merciful Father and deliver us from all evil. We cast all our burdens unto You Jesus for You care for us. Our Father who at in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Ezra 6:5
Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God”
INSIGHT
-God commanded Cyrus king of Persia to rebuild the Jerusalem temple after he overthrew Babylonia in 539 BC. The king enjoined able men to participate in the construction; among them was Nehemiah. He also implored all people to willingly contribute silver, gold, livestock and offerings to the house of the Lord. Other such articles that were taken away by king Nebuchadnezzar were restored and taken back to the temple. Despite these efforts, various factions opposed the reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple and it’s walls including:- Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes citing non-compliance to payment of taxes, tribute and custom once the city and walls were completed. Amid opposition, Zerubbabel and Nehemiah led the captives in reconstruction of the temple and its walls. Ezra then led the people in restoration of worship in the temple. Through our praises and exhortations, gifts and offerings, tithes, and the first-fruit of our increase do we offer our thanksgiving to God. We are also called to offer our bodies as pleasing sacrifices to God; for our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER
We give thanks to You Lord for You are good and Your mercies endures forever. We sing a new song to You Lord and declare Your glory among the nations and tell of Your wonderful deeds in all the earth. Cleanse us Jesus from all our sins by Your precious blood and renew our minds so that we may always offer our bodies as pleasing sacrifices to You. Restore us gracious God; physically, emotionally, socially, economically, financially and spiritually, and guide us to worship You in spirit and in truth. Restore also all the broken marriages loving Father for what You have put together; no man can separate. Direct us Lord when we give our gifts, tithes, offerings and the increase of our first-fruit that it may be pleasing to You. By Your mercy Father; we will dwell in Your house all the days of our lives; for Your love for us endures forever. Amen
Luke 21:37-38
And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
INSIGHT
-The second temple was completed by Zerubbabel in 515 B.C.E and it played a central role in Christianity. Jesus’ family went to the temple after His birth to celebrate redemption of the firstborn according to Num 18:15-16 and offered sacrifices as the Torah required Lev 12. Later, Jesus taught in the temple during the day and at night He went to the mount of Olives. This was probably the reason why He said that, “foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Mat 8:20). The temple had a complex structure with an outer court, inner court and holy of holies. The outer court was accessed by men and women differently. Other sections were only accessed by male Israelites and others priests. During the great revolt of Jews against Rome in 70 C.E, the temple was destroyed and no stone was left unturned according to Jesus’ prophecy in Mark 13:1-2. After His death and resurrection, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so that we may all access Him always and come to faith. He also made us priests and kings so that we may rule the earth and promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
PRAYER
God Almighty Father; we come before You today with thanksgiving in our hearts. Thank You for all that You have done unto us from old. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit so that You may forever dwell in our hearts. Help us Lord to remain in You as You are in us. May Your love shine a bright light in our hearts so that many may see You and come to faith. Show us Your glory everyday Lord that we may obtain favour before You and among men and women. All glory and honor belongs to You Lord; now and forever. Amen
Revelation 3:11-12
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
INSIGHT
-Jesus is coming soon. We are called to always be ready and hold fast our faith in Him so that we may obtain eternal life. We who will overcome by faith will stand like pillars in the new Jerusalem and His new name will be written on our foreheads so that no one will snatch us away from Him (Rev 22:4-5). Like apostle Paul, we are called to fight the good fight of faith and perseverance with the aim of winning the race and the crown of glory will be placed on us; on the Day of the Lord (1 Tim 4:7-8).
SUMMARY
-The first Jerusalem temple was constructed by king Solomon after his father David gave him the designs which originated from God. David had shed blood and the Lord could not permit him to build His house. In 586 B.C.E, king Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylonian troops to Jerusalem and they destroyed the temple. They took away all the articles of gold and silver, burnt down the temple and destroyed the wall around it (2 Kin 25:8-10). Half a century later king Cyrus II, the king of Persia overthrew Babylonia and made a decree that the temple should be rebuilt. These instructions came from the Lord; that the prophecy of Jeremiah may be fulfilled (Ezra 1:1-3). The king also ordered for the return of the captives to Judah and Jerusalem along them was Nehemiah. He also instructed that the articles of gold and silver be returned to the temple. The construction of the second temple was spearheaded by Zerubbabel and it was completed in 515 B.C.E. Prophet Ezra then re-instituted temple worship in Jerusalem leading the people to spiritual restoration. The temple served as a place of worship, sacrifice, sanctification and prayer even during the time of Jesus. During the great revolt of Jews against Rome in 70 C.E, the temple was destroyed as Jesus prophesied in Mark 13:1-2. We have since become the temples of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. In Him there is no Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free but are all one in Christ through faith. We are reminded to maintain a life of holiness as God is holy so that we may not grief the Holy Spirit. In this quest the Holy Spirit helps us and strengthens us for His grace is sufficient for us all. We therefore look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who will bring forth the new Jerusalem so that we may dwell with Him forever. To lay our treasures in heaven where is neither moth nor rust, weeping nor crying, death nor darkness for Christ will be it’s Light. To follow the will of the Father with submission and we will receive our reward.
PRAYER
Jesus You are the Light of the world; thank You for giving us the gift of salvation. Fill our lives, families, societies, work places, churches, nation and entire world with You light so that Your Kingdom may be made known and upheld by all men. Thank You Holy Spirit for loving us. Increase our faith and wisdom so that we may not loose our crowns but enjoy abundant life with You. Grant us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control; so that we may always do Your will. Cover us with Your precious blood Jesus and deliver us from all evil. Renew our minds and cleanse our hearts so that we may always submit to Your holy will. Help us Jesus to store up our treasures in heaven and always focus our eyes on You; the Author and Finisher of our faith. Guide us Father as we give our tithes, offerings and increase of our first fruit to Your temple that we may follow Your will. Expand our territories Lord and grant us Your eternal grace by Your merciful love. You are the King of grace Jesus, thank You for granting us abundant life now and forever. Amen