GOD’S COVENANT FOR ALL.
1 Kings 8:22-23, 1 Kings 8:41-43.
Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the people, and spread forth his hands toward heaven (1 KINGS 8:22). The King then uttered his all-encompassing prayer of dedication of the Jerusalem Temple, which occupies much of the remainder of this chapter. Then he blessed the people (cf. 1 Kings 8:55), before dismissing them (cf. 1 Kings 8:66).
As we enter into the prayer, the posture is significant. To bless the people Solomon had faced the congregation, but now to pray he lifted up his hands towards heaven. The audience was no longer the people, although the people could no doubt hear what he was saying, but the prayer was addressed to the LORD.
The prayer consisted first in praise, then in acknowledgement of God’s covenant faithfulness (1 KINGS 8:23). We might suggest that the first petition of the whole prayer was that the LORD would continue His covenant faithfulness (1 Kings 8:25-26). However, Solomon was immediately aware that the God whom we worship cannot be confined to any building of man’s making (1 Kings 8:27)!
Solomon next made several major petitions, outlining different situations in which people might legitimately pray to the LORD. However, these are not only for Israel, but also have an evangelistic emphasis (1 KINGS 8:41-43). The inclusion of the “stranger” has always been on the agenda (cf. Genesis 12:2-3).
There was no doubt that the great name of the LORD would become known, even among the Gentiles, and, argued Solomon, if they should happen to “pray towards this house; hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place and do according to all that the stranger asks: THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH MAY KNOW THY NAME” (1 Kings 8:42-43).
Now, how do we come to know the LORD in this personal way? It is only through our Lord Jesus Christ, a greater than Solomon (cf. Matthew 12:42) who also declared Himself to be ‘greater than the Temple’ (cf. Matthew 12:6). The earthly Temple was only ever temporary, as implied in Jesus’ words to the disciples as He left the Temple for the last time (cf. Matthew 24:1-2).
Jesus did not come to abolish the sacrificial system, but to fulfil it, and to offer Himself as the supreme and final sacrifice for sin (cf. Hebrews 9:25-26). When Jesus’ work upon the Cross was finished, the veil in the Temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom (cf. Matthew 27:51). Although the Temple rituals continued for a transitional period, the need for sacrifice had been met in His death. He is none other than the One who inhabits the Temple (cf. Matthew 23:21) - for who else could be greater than the Temple?
Finally, we do have a sequel to Solomon’s prayer. The LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and told him, ‘If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land’ (cf. 2 Chronicles 7:14). LORD, hear our prayer; and let our cry come unto thee!
