J. O. CORLISS by J. O. Corliss

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 17, 1910

J. O. CORLISS

By J. O. Corliss

The History of the Hebrew Sanctuary — No. 8

J. O. CORLISS

Dedication of the Temple

The first important work of Solomon after ascending the throne was to begin building the temple according to the minute details recited to him by David his father. 1 Chron. 28:11, 12. But David took no credit for the origin of the plan; for he said that the Lord had revealed the entire plan to him. Verse 19. In addition to all previous preparations, Solomon levied thirty thousand men from his own nation, who were assisted by recruits from the kingdom of Tyre (1 Kings 5:1, 13), to quarry and hew great stones for the foundation of the house. Verses 17, 18.

But in order to keep within the letter of the law forbidding the use of iron tools upon an altar built for the Lord (Deut. 27:5, 6), the stones were all made hewn to dimensions in the quarry, so that in the actual piling of the stones in their places, the work might be done in reverent silence. 1 Kings 6:7. To some it may seem rather singular that the great architect of the temple, Hiram, was a half foreigner (1 Kings 7:14); but this only reveals that, as now, God never has been a “respecter of persons,” in the upbuilding of his work in the earth; but “in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:35.

The general shapes of the apartments in the temple were like those of the wilderness tabernacle. Their dimensions and divisions were also in the same proportion (Dictionary of the Bible, art. “Temple”), showing that God’s original plan for the sanctuary still regulated their provision for his worship. On the eastern side of the temple, however, was a colonnade, which later was continued around the building. But the original porch bore Solomon’s name at the time of our Saviour’s earthly sojourn in the flesh. John 10:23; Acts 3:11.

Although the two apartments of the temple are said to have been twice as large as those of the tented sanctuary, the altar of burnt-offerings for the temple was four times as long and broad as the same altar in the tabernacle. Compare 2 Chron. 4:1 with Ex. 27:1. The disproportionate size of the temple altar is accounted for by some, on the supposition that it was the undisturbed altar built by David on the spot, when he bought the hill from Ornan the Jebusite.

In upper stories of the temple, which were entered from without, were rooms for those priests who had charge of certain parts of the Lord’s work. 2 Chron. 31:11; Jer. 36:10; Eze. 40:45. A door at the right-hand corner of the building opened upon a winding staircase, which led to these rooms, in both the second

and third stories. 1 Kings 6:8. In the first apartment of the sanctuary, instead of a single seven-branched candlestick standing by the eastern aperture, as in the wilderness tent, ten candlesticks were placed on ten separate tables, five on each side of the room. 2 Chron. 4:7, 8, 20. These were to light up the interior, which otherwise would have been dark, since only small loopholes were placed in the walls. 1 Kings 6:4. Some have supposed that each of these ten candlesticks bore its seven branches, as did the one candlestick in the old arrangement. If this is true, we may see their significance in the seventy elders of the congregation.

A thin “wall of partition” separated between the outer and inner apartments. Folding doors, covered by richly embroidered curtains, were the means of entrance to, and departure from, the “most holy place.” It was absolutely dark, except for the light filtered through from the outer room. Amid this mysterious darkness stood two huge cherubim, one on the north, and one on the south side, their wings distended to meet in a graceful arch over the center of the room. Under this arch, and “between the cherubim,” was to be placed the ark of God (1 Chron. 28:18), so that it might once more be said that God not only “sitteth between the cherubim” (Ps. 99:1), but that “he made darkness his secret place.” Ps. 18:11.

More than seven years were consumed in building the temple. It was begun in the month Zif (“blossom or flower month,” corresponding to our May) of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, and was completed in the eleventh year of his reign, in the month Bul (“rain-god”), which is the same as our November. 1 Kings 6:1, 37, 38. Nearly a year was then permitted to elapse before its dedication. This took place in the seventh month, Ethanim (“the perennial”), corresponding to our October. 1 Kings 8:2. This interval doubtless was permitted in order that the dedicatory services might occur during the great national “feast of tabernacles.” As was to be expected, all Israel was then present and participated in the exercises. 1 Kings 8:65.

On the fourteenth day of the month the festival opened. Two companies advanced toward the sacred spot from different directions. One of the processions bore the ark from its temporary quarters toward its permanent resting-place, while the other train came from Gibeon bearing the time-worn tabernacle with its sacred vessels. 1 Kings 8:4-6. At last, the ark and tabernacle, so long separated, were united in a new and more permanent way. The ark, mounted with its two small winged figures, was placed between the two cherubim in the most holy place amid the rejoicing of all Israel.

As a sign that the ark was now in “the place of its rest” (Ps. 132:8, 14), no more to be carried about here and there, the staves by which it had been carried were pushed back so that one end of each was seen in the first apartment, and there left. 1 Kings 8:8. By some means the ark itself was investigated, when it was discovered that the pot of manna, the censer, and Aaron’s budded rod were missing. “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb.” Verse 9. We are not informed when nor where these vessels were taken, but we may infer that they were removed while the ark was captive among the Philistines. Be that as it may, the most precious thing, the law of Jehovah, remained, and this was everything to the Israelites so long as they knew that God had “given rest unto his people,” and that they might “dwell in Jerusalem.” 1 Chron. 23:25.

For the dedication service a large brazen scaffold was erected in the middle of the temple court. 2 Chron. 6:13. On this Solomon took his station, and as the priests came out from placing the ark in position, the whole temple was filled with a cloud; “for the glory of the Lord had filled the house.” 1 Kings 8:10, 11. At this juncture Solomon spoke from his place: “The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.” Then turning his face to the standing congregation, he blessed them, after which that memorable dedicatory prayer (2 Chronicles 6), in which the king not only asked that Hebrews might in the temple meet their Lord, but that Gentiles from the uttermost parts of the earth might also find consolation within its precincts. Verses 32, 33. Thus the provisions of the temple gave equal privileges to all nations, proving that in all ages “the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” Rom. 10:12.

Mountain View, Cal.