Do we direct our prayers towards a physical temple, a man-made object, or to God in heaven? Let’s begin in 2 Chronicles 6.
After witnessing the bright cloud that filled the Temple, how did Solomon react?
Then Solomon said: The Lord said He would dwell in thick darkness, but I have built an exalted temple for You, a place for Your residence forever. (2 Chr 6:1-2 HCSB)
Did Solomon rehearse God’s promises to his father David?
Then the king turned to face the entire congregation of Israel while the congregation of Israel remained standing. Then Solomon prayed: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who made a commitment to my father David and then personally fulfilled what he had promised when he said: ‘From the day I brought out my people from the land of Egypt I never chose a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple where my name might reside. And I never chose any man to become Commander-in-Chief over my people Israel. But I have chosen Jerusalem, where my name will reside. And I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ My father David wanted to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. The Lord told my father David: ‘Therefore, since you determined to build a temple for my name, you acted well, because it was your choice to do so. Nevertheless, you are not to build the Temple, but your son who will be born to you is to build a temple for my name.’ The Lord has brought to fulfillment what he promised, and now here I stand, having succeeded my father David to sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built the Temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. I have placed in it the ark in which the covenant that the Lord made with the Israelis is stored.” (2 Chr 6:3-11 ISV)
Had Solomon built a temporary speaking platform for the occasion?
And he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. (2 Chr 6:12-13 KJV)
Did Solomon pray about the uniqueness of God and a promise to David?
He said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant and Your faithfulness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart; You who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You promised him; You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. Now then, Lord, God of Israel, keep to Your servant David, my father, that which You promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay attention to their way, to walk in My Law as you have walked before Me.’ Now then, Lord, God of Israel, let Your word be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant David. (2 Chr 6:14-17 NASB)
Can a Temple contain God or is it a place where prayers for forgiveness are made?
But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplications 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. (2 Chr 6:18-21 NIV)
Did Solomon ask God for justice against enemies and forgiveness for national sins?
If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. Or if Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and return and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to them and their fathers. (2 Chr 6:22-25 NKJV)
Under what circumstances would God lead Israel to repentance?
If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession. If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is— and if your people Israel pray about their troubles or sorrow, raising their hands toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. Then they will fear you and walk in your ways as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors. (2 Chr 6:26-31 NLT)
How did Solomon plea for foreigners and soldiers who prayed towards the Temple?
Moreover, concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for your great name’s sake and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house, then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for; that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name. If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you send them, and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name; then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. (2 Chr 6:32-35 WEB)
What did Solomon pray for those who may experience captivity for sinning against God?
When they sin against you, for there is no one who doesn’t sin, and you become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who takes them away as prisoners to enemy territory, whether distant or nearby, if they change their heart in whatever land they are held captive, turning back and begging for your mercy, saying, “We have sinned, we have done wrong, and we have acted wickedly!” and if they return to you with all their heart and all their being in the enemy territory where they’ve been taken captive, and pray concerning their land, which you gave to their ancestors, concerning the city you have chosen, and concerning this temple I have built for your name, then listen to their prayer and request from your heavenly dwelling place. Do what is right for them, and forgive your people who have sinned against you. (2 Chr 6:36-39 CEB)
Did Solomon pray that the Temple would be a place to celebrate what God has done?
Lord God, hear us when we pray in this temple. Come to your new home, where we have already placed the sacred chest, which is the symbol of your strength. I pray that when the priests announce your power to save people, those who are faithful to you will celebrate what you've done for them. Always remember the love you had for your servant David, so that you will not reject your chosen kings. (2 Chr 6:40-42 CEV)
How did Paul address a crowd in Athens regarding the Lord of heaven?
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:24-25 ESV)
Do we direct our prayers towards a physical temple, a man-made object, or to God in heaven? You decide!
