Part 7 – The Temple Dedication 2
Lesson Information
Series: Lessons from the Life of Solomon
Title: Part 7 – The Temple Dedication 2
Speaker: Dr. Benny M. Abante, Jr.
Passage: 1 Kings 8:59-61 (KJV)
Service: New Life Bible Class
Date: December 13, 2016
Lesson No. 39: THE TEMPLE DEDICATION 2
1 Kings 8:1-9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1-7:22
59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night….
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else. 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his command-ments, as at this day.
— 1 KINGS 8:59-61—
C. Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication (1 Kings 8:22-23, 33-34, 46-51). The ark was now in the Temple and the people were reminded of the history that had brought them to this moment. Solomon offered a pub-lic prayer in the presence of God and the assembly.
1. His prayer began with recognition of the empow-ering presence of God. Israel was not a great nation be-cause the people were great but because they had a great God. God had sought Abraham and God had walked with His people throughout their history (1 Kings 8:22-23).
2. Solomon issued a warning about the ongoing need for repentance. The Temple was to be a symbol of the relationship that existed between God and the peo-ple of Israel (1 Kings 8:33-34).
3. Solomon recognized that there would be times when they would not enjoy the blessings of God but God had a remedy for such a situation. If the people would turn to God and confess His name in the Tem-ple, God would hear in Heaven and forgive their sins and bless them once more. Repentance is the continu-ing theme in the Bible because it is a continuing need in the hearts of men (1 Kings 8:33-54; Ps. 51:12; Rev. 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
4. Our sins will never prevent God from ful-filling His promises but they can separate us from Him in fellowship. If there is any sin in your heart, repent now and turn to God for He will hear, for-give and restore you back into fellowship with Him (2 Thess. 3:3; Ps. 32:1-2; 86:5-7; Eph. 5:1-2).
D. Solomon’s Blessings and Sacrifices (1 Kings 8:54-63, 66). This service ended with a blessing and a sacrifice.
1. Solomon’s blessing was a challenge for Israel to remain true to God. Solomon failed at keeping his own words and later, the nation did the same. These words speak for themselves and need little comment, but they echo the heartfelt sentiments of those who were present on this grand and wonder-ful occasion (1 Kings 8:54-61).
2. The intent of this service was not self-glorification for the people of Israel. The purpose was that all the earth should know that the Lord is God and all men would be encouraged to walk in His statutes and keep His ordinances (1 Kings 8:57-60).
3. At the close of this service, Solomon ordered a great feast throughout the land, from Hamath to the river of Egypt. This lasted 14 days but no one complained. There were 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep sacrificed at that time. This was an expensive service in every way but the things we give to God and use in His service are never wasted.
CONCLUSION
The dedication of the Temple had accomplished its purpose. It took the dedicated efforts of hundreds of people to bring it about but no one regretted the time and effort put into it. Instead, their hearts were full, happy and glad because of this great occasion (1 Kings 8:62-66; Psalm 107:8).
—BP’s Messages/
David Robinson, Through the Bible
12.18.16
