The Temple Of The Lord Are These

by T.W. FULLERTON, North Croydon, Australia | Category: General | Aug 1963

One of the strange and wonderful things in the history of men is the fact that He whom "the heaven of heavens cannot contain" desired to have a dwelling place among men on earth marvellous condescension! That this revelation of the desire of Jehovah was in some degree understood and appreciated by those among whom He desired to dwell, is revealed in the willingheartedness with which men and women brought materials for the building of the tabernacle, and then, when the materials which God's people had brought were formed together, "according to the pattern", "the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle", and Israel entered into a sphere of divine service hitherto unknown to man.

Nearly five centuries later, David, a man after God's own heart, was stirred up by the Spirit of God to prepare materials for a more permanent dwelling place for the God of Israel, and, as recorded in the early chapters of 2 Chronicles, when Solomon completed the work which David, his father, had purposed, it was evident that he too, entered with joy into the great and holy privilege which had been afforded him, to build a dwelling place for Jehovah. Again, as the work of men's hands was completed, according to the pattern given by the Spirit to David, "the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house", and "the children of Israel ... bowed ... and worshipped, and gave thanks unto the LORD, saying, "for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever" (2 Chronicles 7.2, 3).

The continuance of His glory in their midst was conditional. "Holiness becometh Thine house, 0 LORD, for evermore," wrote the Psalmist (Psalm 93.5), but we find that the succeeding generations in Israel gradually lost sight of the standard of behaviour becoming those among whom Jehovah dwelt. In the days of Jeremiah, when, because of sin, the days of the kingdom of Judah were drawing to a close, the boast of those, who gloried because of the temple in their midst, was heard, "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, are these" (Jeremiah 7. 4). Yet it was only a few years later that Ezekiel was shown the abominations which were being committed whilst the glory of Jehovah was in His house (Ezekiel 8). There was a call to repentance, but there was no repentance forthcoming, and in chapter 9.3 Ezekiel sees the glory departing, while in chapter 11.28 the last sign of His glory is seen, as sadly God forsakes His dwelling place.

The glory is gone, God's presence is removed from their midst, and only a further few years remain ere the house which had borne His Name was delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.

We rejoice in the knowledge of a dwelling place for God amongst His people today, but as succeeding generations arise to serve Him, are we not to learn, and lay to heart, lessons from the past? Is it not possible to echo the refrain, "The temple of the LORD, are these" while forgetting the conditions which govern His continued dwelling among His people?

Let us be careful lest we bring into the house of God what will be a displeasure to Him who dwells therein. The principle remains

-"Holiness becometh Thine house, 0 LORD, for evermore", the condition is unchanging, "whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end" (Hebrews 3.6).

T.W. FULLERTON, North Croydon, Australia | Aug 1963
General