Solomon’s prayer includes all peoples of the earth. The seven functions exemplify the extensive role of the temple in the lives of the Israelites. (1) The temple was a place for seeking forgiveness (vs. 30); (2) for oath swearing (vss. 31, 32); (3) for supplication when defeated (vss. 33, 34); (4) for petition when faced with drought (vss. 35, 36) (5) or other disasters (vss. 37-40). (6) It was also a place for the alien to pray (vss. 41-43), (7) as well as a place to petition for victory (vss. 44, 45). That the temple was intended to be a “ ‘house of prayer for all the peoples’ ” (1) And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. (1Kings 8:30) (2) When 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 in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. (1Kings 8:31-32) (3) When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers. (1Kings 8:33-34) (4) When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance. (1Kings 8:35-36) (5) When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men), that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers. (1Kings 8:37-40) (6) MOREOVER, CONCERNING A FOREIGNER, WHO IS NOT OF YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL, but has come from a far country for Your names sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), WHEN HE COMES AND PRAYS TOWARD THIS TEMPLE, HEAR IN HEAVEN YOUR DWELLING PLACE, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name. (1Kings 8:41-43) (7) When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. (1Kings 8:44-45) FOR YOU ARE ALL SONS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. And if you are Christs, then you are Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29) Then I saw ANOTHER ANGEL flying in the midst of heaven, HAVING THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL TO PREACH TO THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH TO EVERY NATION, TRIBE, TONGUE, AND PEOPLE—saying with a loud voice, FEAR GOD and give glory to Him, for THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT HAS COME; and WORSHIP HIM who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water. And ANOTHER ANGEL FOLLOWED, saying, BABYLON IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. THEN A THIRD ANGEL FOLLOWED THEM, saying with a loud voice, IF ANYONE WORSHIPS THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE, AND RECEIVES HIS MARK ON HIS FOREHEAD OR ON HIS HAND, HE HIMSELF SHALL ALSO DRINK OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. (Revelation 14:6-10) Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it WITH THE PRAYERS OF ALL THE SAINTS upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE, WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, ASCENDED BEFORE GOD FROM THE ANGELS HAND. (Revelation 8:3-4)
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:45:50 +0000
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