June 28-The Temple Mount
Tradition can lure us into Taking things for granted or we can look at it as a rich heritage. I think we as humans thrive on routine and love our traditions. The most historical and traditional site we saw in Israel was in the holy city itself—The Temple Mount—the most photographed place in the Holy Land. I think it can be almost ignored because there has been so many things there. (Right now, on the top of Mt Moriah is a huge, golden domed mosque built more than 1,330 years ago). But if we peel back the layers of time as archeologists have done, we can catch a glimpse of our heritage.
The first time we read about Mt Moriah is in Genesis 22 when God instructed Abraham to take his son, his son that he loves, and offer him as a sacrifice on Mt Moriah. It was a test for Abraham, but he didn’t know that! Isaac was tied up, on the altar and Abraham was raising the knife before the test was over on the mountain God had selected.
The next time is when it is being used as a threading floor and God instructs David to purchase it for an offering there. This is when David says words that we all should quote. “But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”” 1 Chronicles 21:24 NIV
After David sinned against God, he was not allowed to build the temple, but his son would. King Solomon built the first temple in 966 BC. ““The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?” 2 Chronicles 2:5-6 NIV
Then, when the Babylonians and Nebuchadnezzar invaded, they tore it down in 586 BC. After release from captivity, Nehemiah and Zerubbable built it back. Then Herod the Great expanded it during an 83-year building project to 35 acres.
And there it stood until Jesus was there. Jesus was taken there as an infant to be dedicated and circumcised. Later, when he was 12, he was taken there for Passover. His parents lost him because he didn’t leave the temple—“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47 NIV
Next, Satan took Jesus there during his time of temptation to the pinnacle. (Probably to the SW corner where the priests blew a trumpet to signal the beginning of the sabbath. Then, during passion week, Jesus cleansed the temple on Monday and on Tuesday, declared the temple would be destroyed.
Then, just as Jesus had said, in Titus and his Roman legions tore it apart block by block in 70 AD. All that remains are the retaining walls.
Why this place? Why did so many things happen right here on this one little piece of real estate? The insignificant mountain top? Because it was the place God choose. We are told there will be two more temples built here. The one during the time of Tribulation and another with the Kingdom of God. Will they be exactly here? Some think so. There is a huge, solid gold menorah encased in glass waiting for the new temple. But what we do know is Jesus promised us He would be back and that, my friend, is something we can take to the bank.
Dear Jesus come quickly. We anxiously await your return to bust open those Eastern gates of that old wall for who can stop the Lord Almighty? We pray for our readiness and that we would never grow tired in the waiting. We worship you this day and dedicate it to your service. What a great God you are and what a marvelous privilege it is to be loved by you. Thank you for your blessing and for all the little things you do for us. We pray today for your blessings and your protection for our friends and loved ones. In your precious name we pray, Amen and amen.
Love you dear one,
Pam
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