Day 22

Building the Temple



2 Chronicles 3:1-17, 2 Chronicles 4:1-22, 2 Chronicles 5:1-14, Exodus 26:31-35, Hebrews 9:11-14

BY Jamika Munn

After a long day of school, my siblings and I would come home and grab a snack, do our homework (well, some of us), maybe do a chore or two, then argue over the TV for the after-school line-up.  

Sibling 1: “It’s 4 o’clock, and I want to watch Arthur.” 
Sibling 2: “No one wants to watch that baby show. Let’s watch Ninja Turtles.”
Sibling 3: “No one is about to watch either because I’m about to watch Boy Meets World.” 

We bickered endlessly over what to watch on TV, but there were two shows we always agreed on: 106 & Park and MTV Cribs. Oh, the glories of MTV Cribs. The fulfillment you received from being invited into your favorite celebrities’ homes. These homes were not shabby. These homes were what you’d imagine a superstar home to be. It was not uncommon to see a celebrity’s residence have the most outlandish chandelier, 24-karat gold faucet handles, or a petting zoo in the backyard. Their homes were designed to match their prestige status. 

The story of King Solomon building the temple for God was even more significant. Solomon offered his best. We might read passages on building the temple and view it as minute; however, every intricate description of the temple was to brag on the glory of God and highlight His holiness and splendor (Exodus 26:31–35, 2Chronicles 3–4). The temple may have been built to serve three purposes: It was a place for God and humanity to commune; It was a place for humanity to worship God; it was a place for humanity to offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin.  

In the old covenant, the temple served as a cornerstone for the Israelites’ relationship with God. The Israelite priestly representatives had to enter the presence of God on behalf of the people to offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin (2Chronicles 5:1–14). It’s difficult to fathom the idea of depending on another sinful human to go before God on our behalf—a human that requires just as much grace. Imagine longing to commune with God and having to wait until you arrive at the temple. Or the anxiety of having the proper sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. 

This was the case before the Holy Spirit indwelled His people. Today, we know a different experience with God under the new covenant. We know Jesus to be the bodily fulfillment of the temple (Hebrews 9:11–14). Our worship is not limited to a specific place, and our forgiveness is not dependent upon our sacrifice or the sacrifice of other humans. 

Jesus is the dwelling place for humanity to commune with God. By the shedding of His blood, His death served as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. He is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. Now when we want to pray, sing songs of praise, or confess our sins, we can go boldly in Jesus’s name. Anytime and anyplace. 

Post Comments (40)

40 thoughts on "Building the Temple"

  1. Kinesha Cox says:

    Thank you Lord!

  2. Sarah Morrison says:

    Yes we take the ability to go to God under Jesus our high priest and sacrificial lamb. The miracle that we are the temple of tgd livinv God this blows my mind and I think how can it be.

  3. Kimberly Z says:

    Happy Monday! So grateful for longer sunshine today! @Michelle Patire hang in there girl! I have been in your shoes when it feels like nobody is going through what you are. I have felt the angry and resentment and honestly just wanted to give up. God sees your pain and feels your hurt. Keep going it will get better. @Sarah D. Praying for your job situation I just know you’re going to find something so fulfilling! Glad your date went well. @Rhonda J. Even in your pain you still have such a positive attitude! Praying for quick healing.

  4. Tami C says:

    Thank You Jesus for the Bills applies. Thank you Jesus you have washed me white. Thank you Jesus you have save me my life, brought me from the darkness into glorious light. Amen.

  5. Michelle Patire says:

    @Sharon, Jersey Girl- you are the second person to share that scripture with me. Thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit and praying over me. ❤️:)

  6. Michelle Patire says:

    Thank you for all the prayers, everyone. I so appreciate all of you for praying over me. ❤️ May God help all us hurting Shes today.

  7. Mercy says:

    The temple of God was inlaid and garnished with pure gold. That stands true of His design for His temple now -us- the living and walking temple of today. He will purify us until we become the pure gold temple, He will remove walls, He will bring light into the secret dark chambers that we didn’t even know exist, He will re-arrange the furniture, remove some walls…, so we are becoming the finished design of His blueprint each day. He is the Master of the house (us), and He is a kind, wise and wealthy master. He really wants to show us off. If only we know how much He wants to make us into a beautiful and luxurious structure of Him.

    PRAYING…
    @FOSTER MAMA, @MICHELLE PATIRE: praying over you dear sisters, “So it will be on that day, that his burden will be removed from your shoulders, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of fatness.” Isaiah 10:27
    @Rhonda: it’s an interesting transition for sure. Praying for your household as you and your dear husband adjusts. & quick healing.
    @Victoria E: praying you’re doing okay. May God cover you and your sweet family.
    @Heidi: how is your seminary going?
    Be blessed dear sisters.

  8. Jennifer Anapol says:

    I am struck by two things in today’s reading: 1. Every detail of God’s temple was planned out. 2. Now we are God’s temple and the place where his spirit dwells. I pray that I don’t ever take for granted the fact that God’s Holy Spirit dwells in me.

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