God’s Glorious Temple

Background Scripture: Haggai 1-2; Ezra 3, 6
Lesson Scripture: Haggai 1:12-14; 2:3-9

Introduction

The temple originally served as God’s dwelling. In the New Testament, however, the Holy Spirit builds a temple within every believer. God’s plan is for our souls to be purified and have his Spirit dwell within the temple of our hearts. First Corinthians 3:16 states, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” We become his temple filled with his glory when we experience the new birth. When the Spirit is within us, our soul is satisfied, and we radiate the peace, happiness, and glory from God.

This lesson will emphasize the importance of prioritizing God’s presence in our lives. The temple’s rebuilding was more than a construction project; it was crucial for restoring the spiritual connection between God and his people. Similarly, our walk with the Lord requires intentional effort. The call to build the temple still lingers with us today, urging us to give our lives for God’s glory. We have a charge to keep; may we strive to guard the temple of our hearts and souls in the way of the Lord.

Key Verse

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Cor. 6:19).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The rebuilding of the second temple in Jerusalem began after the Israelites returned from Babylonian exile, marking a pivotal event in their history. Under Zerubbabel’s leadership, the temple’s foundation was completed in just two years. However, progress was soon halted due to significant delays from external opposition and the discouragement of the people, leaving the temple unfinished for seventeen years. It was not until the prophets Haggai and Zechariah offered renewed encouragement that construction resumed, ultimately culminating in the temple’s completion in the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.

In the book of Haggai, God addresses those who claimed it was not yet the right time to rebuild the temple. He confronts them about their priorities, highlighting the contrast between their comfortable homes and the neglected state of his house. God urges them to reflect on their situation, revealing that despite their hard work, they feel unfulfilled. Their struggles, including drought and poor harvests, stemmed from neglecting the temple, a direct consequence of failing to prioritize the building of God’s house.

In response to Haggai’s powerful message, the leaders Zerubbabel and Joshua, along with the people, demonstrate a profound reverence for God. They reassess their priorities and recognize the importance of rebuilding the temple as central to their spiritual lives. God encourages the Israelites to remember their past in laying the temple’s foundation; He reassures them that from that day forward, He will bless them regardless of their current struggles.

The narrative continues in Ezra 6, where King Darius issues a decree to restore items taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar and allows the Jewish leaders to rebuild the temple without interference. Darius’s decree not only facilitates reconstruction efforts but also allocates royal funds for both construction and daily sacrifices. This underscores the importance of continuous worship, emphasizing that the temple is not merely a physical structure but the vital center of spiritual life and community worship.

Encouraged by Haggai’s and Zechariah’s prophecies, the elders of the Jews complete the temple according to the directives from God and the Persian kings. The temple’s completion is met with immense joy as the people celebrate its dedication during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This celebration expresses gratitude to God for restoring their fortunes and enabling the temple’s construction, representing a renewed commitment to their faith and community.

Practical Truths for Today

This lesson should prompt a personal self-examination regarding God’s temple in the New Testament. As believers, we are the temple of the living God (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Our bodies are glorious temples that have been dedicated to spirituality and obedience and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Each person has a unique journey through life. Reflecting on the course of the Old Testament place of worship, are there some lessons to be learned? The time period of Solomon’s Temple symbolized Israel’s golden age, culminating in God’s glory filling the temple (2 Chron. 7:1-3). The grace and glory of a heart dedicated to God is echoed in the gold and silver of the Old Testament temple. Since being filled with the Holy Spirit, have we continued to grow spiritually, or has that been the high point?

Have we mirrored the history of the Old Testament temple, building a glorious structure like Solomon’s? Ephesians 2:19-22 states that we are fellow citizens with the saints and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. What a privilege we have to work in his kingdom!

First Peter 2:5 describes us as “lively stones” offering “spiritual sacrifices.” While God needs nothing, offering ourselves glorifies Him. How can we be inspired to work in his kingdom? Some may feel attending church is sufficient, but there are many more blessing to be had through offering ourselves in humble service and sacrifice.

God allowed Solomon’s Temple to be destroyed due to Israel’s persistent disobedience and idolatry. Our own choices will also cause the Spirit to withdraw, leading to our temple’s disrepair or eventual destruction. Are some in a rebuilding phase? God does grant us grace and strength to rebuild.

Ezra 3:11 depicts the people’s joy in laying the foundation. We can relate to the joy of a newly saved convert or the experience of reconsecration and re-laying of a foundation, even amidst the weeping described in Ezra 3:12-13.

The history of the temple reflects various stages throughout Israel’s relationship with God, including the tabernacle in the wilderness, Solomon’s Temple, and Zerubbabel’s Temple as discussed here. Although Zerubbabel’s Temple lacked the grandeur of Solomon’s Temple and significant elements like the ark of the covenant, it restored a centralized place of worship, crucial for reconnecting the community with their spiritual heritage after the exile.

The last significant iteration of the temple, known as Herod’s Temple or the expanded Second Temple, was constructed during King Herod the Great’s reign. Herod sought to gain favor with the Jewish populace through a lavish expansion and renovation of Zerubbabel’s Temple. This temple featured extensive courtyards, porticos, and the Court of the Gentiles. It became a prominent structure in Jerusalem, essential to Jewish life. Is there also a lesson in Herod’s lavish expansions on the temple? Here, Jesus cast out moneychangers, declaring, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matt. 21:13). What have we added to our lives that serves our purposes instead of God’s?

As God’s people, our call is to reflect his glory. Just as the temple represented his presence among the Israelites, we are to embody his Spirit by embracing the work of building godly character and holy living. Wherever we find ourselves, we can find comfort and direction in God’s promises. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God” (Rev. 3:12).

Questions

1. In what ways do we build upon the foundation of our faith?
2. How does a believer’s life reflect God’s glory?
3. What are the blessings of following the Lord today versus the consequences of prioritizing our own wants?
4. What is meant in Haggai 2:9?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).