The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Monday, March 4, 2024
From Tabernacle to Temple to the Heart
Psalm 84; 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 3)
Introduction
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Monday, March 4, 2024
From Tabernacle to Temple to the Heart
Psalm 84; 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 3)
Introduction
Psalm 84, 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22, and 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 collectively unfold a rich tapestry of spiritual devotion, tracing the evolution of holy spaces from the Old Testament's physical structures to the New Testament's spiritual edifice. Psalm 84 sings a heartfelt yearning for the courts of the Lord, vividly expressing the soul's deep longing for God's presence, traditionally believed to dwell in the tabernacle. This longing for divine proximity is further embodied in 1 Kings 6, which details the construction of Solomon's Temple, a magnificent physical structure intended as a permanent dwelling place for God among His people. Transitioning to the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 shifts the focus from physical buildings to the believers themselves, identifying them as the temple of God with a foundational emphasis on Jesus Christ. This passage underscores the transition from the tangible, external structures of worship in the Old Testament to the internal, spiritual temple within each believer, highlighting the enduring presence of God not in edifices of stone, but in the hearts of those who follow Christ. Together, these scriptures invite reflection on the nature of sacred spaces and the evolving understanding of God's indwelling presence from ancient times to the Christian era.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 84
How Lovely is God’s Dwelling Place
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 84
How Lovely is God’s Dwelling Place
Psalm 84 is a heartfelt homage to the splendor and sacredness of God’s abode. Traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, it reflects a deep yearning for the presence of the Lord and a joyful celebration of being in His holy temple. The Psalm vividly captures the bliss and peace experienced by those who dwell in God's presence, contrasting the fleeting pleasures of the world with the eternal joy found near the Almighty. As we read and reflect upon this Psalm, let us immerse ourselves in its profound longing and recognition of the beauty of God's dwelling.1 How lovely is your dwelling place, *
O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the LORD; *
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young, *
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house, *
ever singing your praise. Selah
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, *
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs; *
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; *
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God; *
look on the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere. *
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor. *
No good thing does the LORD withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, *
happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Heavenly Father, how lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Our souls yearn, even faint, for the courts of the Lord; our hearts and our flesh sing for joy to the living God. In Your presence, O Lord, we find our true home, a place of peace and eternal beauty.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise. Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on the pilgrimage to Your sacred abode. As the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, so let our hearts find a place near Your altar, O Lord of hosts, our King and our God.
Lord, hear our prayer, and look upon us with kindness. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. We would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of our God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For You, O Lord, are a sun and shield; You bestow favor and honor. No good thing do You withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You. Let Your grace and love be our guide, and may we always find our strength and joy in Your holy presence.
Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
In 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22, we find a detailed account of the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal event in the history of Israel. This passage marks the commencement of the Temple's construction in the fourth year of King Solomon's reign, precisely 480 years after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The text meticulously describes the dimensions, materials, and architectural design of the Temple, highlighting its grandeur and significance as a divine dwelling place. Furthermore, verses 21-22 detail the intricate workmanship and the overlaying of the interior with pure gold, emphasizing the Temple's splendor and its role as a sacred space for worship and communion with God. This narrative not only reflects the opulence and religious devotion of Solomon's era but also serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to David and his lineage.6 1 In the four hundred eightieth year after the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD. 2 The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. 3 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits wide, across the width of the house. Its depth was ten cubits in front of the house. 4 For the house he made windows with recessed frames.
21 Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, then he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. 22 Next he overlaid the whole house with gold, in order that the whole house might be perfect; even the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold.
Expository Commentary
Verse 1: This verse sets the historical context, indicating a precise timeline for the start of the temple's construction. The 480-year gap since the Exodus signifies a period of maturation for Israel as a nation. The month of Ziv (later known as Iyar), a springtime month, symbolizes a time of renewal and growth, fitting for the commencement of such a significant endeavor.
Verse 2: These measurements, using the cubit (an ancient unit based on the length of the forearm), describe a temple of considerable size. The temple's dimensions are symbolic, with some interpretations suggesting that the number 60 represents completeness, 20 signifies expectancy, and 30 may symbolize maturity or priestly service age.
Verse 3: This verse describes the porch or entrance in front of the main temple hall (the nave). The dimensions suggest a welcoming but solemn approach to the sacred space, indicating the importance of the temple as a place of worship and reverence.
Verse 4: The detailed description of the windows signifies the temple's architectural beauty and functionality. Recessed frames could indicate a design meant to control light and airflow, an important aspect in maintaining the sanctity and atmosphere inside the temple.
Verse 21: The lavish use of gold within the temple's interior highlights the wealth of Solomon's kingdom and the significance of the temple as a dwelling place for God. Gold, a symbol of purity and divinity, underscores the sanctity of the temple, especially the inner sanctuary (Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant was to be placed.
Verse 22: The comprehensive gold overlay, including the altar in the inner sanctuary, signifies the completion and perfection of the temple. The altar, being the focal point of sacrificial rites, covered in gold, conveys a sense of ultimate sanctification and honor to God.
In summary, these verses in 1 Kings 6 describe not only the physical attributes of Solomon's Temple but also its deep symbolic and religious significance for Israel. The meticulous details and lavish materials reflect the temple's role as a central place of worship and the manifestation of a divine promise to the nation of Israel.
1 Corinthians 3:10-23 presents a profound exploration of the themes of wisdom, unity, and the nature of the Church as God's building. In this section, Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian believers, emphasizing the importance of a strong, Christ-centered foundation in building the Church. He warns against divisions and worldly wisdom, contrasting it with the divine wisdom that comes from God. Paul uses the metaphor of a building to illustrate how each person contributes to the construction of the Church, and how this construction must be done with care and according to God's design. This passage serves as a reminder of the sacredness of the Church, the foolishness of relying on human wisdom, and the ultimate accountability to God, who is the true owner of the Church.3 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
“He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
20 and again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile.”
21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Expository Commentary
Verse 10 — Foundations and Builders: Paul starts by acknowledging his role in laying the foundation of the Church in Corinth, attributing his work to God's grace. The metaphor of a master builder emphasizes the importance of careful and skillful work in building the Church. This verse sets the stage for the responsibility of future leaders and members in contributing to this spiritual edifice.
Verse 11 — The Only Foundation, Jesus Christ: This verse centralizes Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of the Church. It implies that all teachings and practices within the Church must align with the teachings of Christ. This is a call to orthodoxy and a warning against deviating from the core Christian doctrine.
Verses 12-15 — Testing of Works: These verses highlight the judgment of believers' works. The materials represent various types of work and effort put into the Church. The 'Day' refers to the Day of Judgment when the true value of each person's contribution to the Church will be tested. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity and quality in one's work for the Church.
Verse 16 — The Church as God's Temple: Paul reminds the Corinthians of their sacred identity as the temple of God. This temple is not a physical building but a spiritual community where God's Spirit dwells. It calls for a holy and reverent conduct among believers, recognizing their collective role in hosting God’s presence.
Verse 17 — The Sanctity of God's Temple: This severe warning highlights the seriousness of harming the Church, whether through false teachings, divisions, or immoral behavior. The holiness of the Church must be maintained, and God himself will defend its sanctity.
Verses 18-20 — The Folly of Worldly Wisdom: Here, Paul contrasts worldly wisdom with divine wisdom. He encourages humility and reliance on God's wisdom rather than human intellect. The references to scripture underline the transient and often deceptive nature of worldly knowledge and plans.
Verses 21-23 — All Belong to Christ: The epistle concludes with a unifying message. It diminishes the importance of boasting in human leaders and emphasizes the collective inheritance of believers in Christ. This unity under Christ transcends all human divisions and encompasses all aspects of existence, pointing to the ultimate submission to God.
Through this passage, Paul offers a comprehensive theological and practical framework for understanding the Church's nature, the believers' role within it, and the guiding principles for both doctrine and conduct.
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
