Friends, last week when we gathered for worship, we focused on the Biblical text in which it was recorded that King David wanted to build a Temple, a permanent structure, to house the Ark of Covenant. The Ancient Jewish people believed God was wherever the Ark was – David thought that if he built a permanent home for the Ark in Jerusalem, then God would always be in Jerusalem and be with Jewish people.
God disagreed with King David’s plans. God said that the Ark had for centuries been kept in a tent so that it was mobile – God went where God’s people were and God had autonomy – God is where God wants to be. God told King David his legacy would live on through his offspring, not through his building projects. Jesus was one of the many descendants of David through his matrilineal line. Through our faith in Jesus, we are all adopted into the Davidic family and into the family of God.
David’s son Solomon became the reigning monarch after David’s death. Solomon was a faithful follower of God. His reputation is that he was the wisest king of Israel. Many public buildings were constructed during Solomon’s reign, including the construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem.
Listen now to how the story unfolded as we read from 1 Kings chapter 5 and chapter 8:
The Scripture 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:27-30, 41-43
5 [When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David.
Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:
“You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet.
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.
I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’
Solomon asks:
27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.
29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
41 “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—
42 for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple,
43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.
HERE ENDS THIS READING OF THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. THANKS BE TO GOD. AMEN.
LET US PRAY.....
The Message Solomon Dedicates the Temple
Many years ago, King Solomon built the first Temple dedicated to our God. He built a home that became the center of worship life for the ancient people of Israel. The Temple was destroyed, repeatedly, over the years. The first Temple was destroyed in 587 BC by the Babylonians. The Temple was rebuilt almost a century later. That second Temple stood until the Romans destroyed it in 70 CE. A wall remains of the Second Temple – the Western wall – Jewish people still go to the Wall to pray.
Although the Temple was dedicated to worship of our God, Solomon understood God was not only in the Temple. Solomon’s words in our scripture this morning have Solomon stating that God is greater than human’s can conceptualize. Solomon knew God is every place God’s people are. The Temple was a home for religious rituals and worship but was not the only place believers could worship and pray to God. Gradually, throughout Israel, synagogues were built in other places so people could gather to worship God where they lived.
The third portion we read from 1st Kings are Solomon’s words about welcoming non-Jewish people to know that God is great. Solomon enshrined the practice of welcoming non-Jewish people to take on the faith of Judaism and to also worship God in the Temple. Solomon felt that if non-Jewish people witnessed the greatness of God, they would be moved to believe in God and follow God.
Although originally God had a special relationship with Jewish people, God has always been available for all people to come to know and to follow. The Jewish faith has many non-Jewish people who were adopted into the faith of the Jewish people. We had Biblical heroes like Rahab and Ruth and Job and Caleb were not born Jewish but became followers of God. And, then Jesus came and cracked open the Jewish faith. Now all people are invited to follow God ever since he came to earth.
Although the Temple of Solomon became a center for religious life in Ancient Israel, there is not only one way to worship God. And, there are countless places to gather for worship. Solomon established the Temple as a worship center, but he understood that God is where God’s people are – God isn’t only in our Temples and churches. God is wherever we are.
Solomon wanted the Temple to be a positive reflection of God to the wider world....He wanted non-Jewish people to hear about how wonderful our God is and be so intrigued that they would also begin to believe in God and follow God’s teachings.
We are in the same camp as Solomon – it is our work as followers of God to work to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people who aren’t Christians...who aren’t Christians yet. We have an opportunity and a responsibility to share with others positive and up-lifting information about our God so that they are interested in getting to know God themselves.
Last Sunday, Cynthia asked us to sing the song “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.” Ever since we sang the hymn its refrain has been echoing in my head -- “We’s a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light.” and “We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above has sent His Son to save us, and show us that God is love. “
Sometimes, Christians don’t do a good job of presenting God in a positive light. When you drive across the Midwest of the US, there are scary billboards shouting out to the drivers – they say things like: “Where are you going, Heaven or Hell?” and “One day each of us will face God. Are you Prepared?”
Solomon wanted nonbelievers to be motived to follow God for positive reasons. He said “for they will hear of God’s great name and God's mighty hand and God's outstretched arm...” God’s arms are outstretched for a loving embrace. God’s mighty hands are reaching out to provide strength, protection and deliverance. God’s support guides us through life’s challenges. God is present with us, God’s people, wherever we go. God’s love and God’s grace sustain us all the days of our lives.
We have a story to tell the nations....a story about our loving God, who protects us, sustains us, forgives us, and guides us all the days of our lives. Our faith makes a positive difference in our lives. Let us work to share the Good News of God’s unfailing love with others. Hundreds of years ago, King Solomon wanted the Temple to beacon to non-believers and invite them to become followers of God. Let us do that in our lives – share the Good News with others and encourage them to become believers in our God.
Amen.
