Thursday, April 30, 2015

THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

This replica of the Ark of the Covenant is in the Quick Study TV studios in Orangeville, Ontario. Here host Rod Hembree and his team bring a daily through-the-Bible teaching.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 8:11

…so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Solomon’s Temple was undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world. It was to stand for 500 years until its destruction by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. The glory of this magnificent building faded into insignificance when the people were confronted by the One Who is worthy of all glory, honour and power. The Presence of God so filled this place that those in the building collapsed to the floor, unable to stand.
The Ark of the Covenant was brought to the Temple from the place where it had been housed in a tent in David’s city, located on the southern slope of Mt. Moriah, the hill where (Jeru) Salem, the city of Melchisedek, was located (Genesis 14:18-20). It is also where Abraham brought his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). What a glorious celebration! Let us celebrate today that God, Himself, is present with us. While it would’ve been an amazing experience to be in Jerusalem on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple, it’s so very much greater to be in God’s presence right here, right now!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I bow in Your holy presence. I ask that You will reveal Your glory to me in whatever way You think is best. I know that You are revealed in all Your fullness in Jesus. Of Him, John wrote, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Dear Jesus, be Lord of my life now and forever. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My friend, Rod Hembree of Orangeville, Ontario, was our senior producer for the 100 Huntley Street telecast for several years. His dad, Rev. Ron Hembree, who has gone ahead of us to Heaven, often hosted 100 Huntley Street in my absence. Check out Rod’s video teaching series “Quick Study” here. I find it interesting that Rod has a replica of the “Ark” pictured above.

Crossroads played a major role in famine relief in Ethiopia back in the eighties. The Ethiopian Orthodox Churches all have a replica of the Ark of the Covenant behind the altar. They have a tradition that the original Ark is hidden in their country. They confirm that the only items in the Ark are the tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments are written. Our reading today also confirms that the Ark no longer contains the pot of manna, and Aaron’s wooden rod that budded. Stephen Mengesha, heir to the throne of Halle Selassie of Ethiopia, (all other male members of the ruling family were executed in a communist coup. Stephen was studying in Toronto at the time) says that only one priest and the reigning Emperor are allowed to see the Ark. There’s more about Crossroads’ exciting and challenging involvement in my book, “This Far By Faith.” We’d love to send blog readers a copy. I contains my heart on many subjects (to order a copy of the book, call 1-800-265-3100).

Yours for the ongoing presence of God,

David

 

9 thoughts on “Thursday, April 30, 2015

  1. It’s amazing to read about Solomon’s Temple. “The Presence of God so filled this place that those in the building collapsed to the floor, unable to stand.” Amen! I can envision the presence of God there–the Ark of the Covenant–so powerful. Great study, today; I look forward to reading the quick study, later. So grateful for the presence of the Lord God almighty in our lives–amen! Blessings dearest saints, today!

  2. The kneeling cherubs on Ron’s Arch of the Covenant seem to have human shaped bodies while the bodies of the cherubs in the Temple picture of the earlier blog showed animal bodies like lions but human faces. This confuses me. Which one is correct?

    • “I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. 11Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. 12And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. 13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning (Ezekiel 1:4-14).”

  3. Was good to read the powerful anointed prayer Solomon prayed in praise to God for his promise to King David that the throne will continue to remain within his lineage; and the petition for Israel His people.

    The Faithfulness of God and His Presence and Power that filled the temple!!!

  4. Enjoyed the Quick Study by Rod Hembree and look forward to more.

    Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. Psalm 119:49-50

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