The Ark of the Covenant had been in a tent-of-meeting somewhere in the city of David, and is now brought to the newly completed temple during the Festival of Tabernacles (a new year festival in some places, per the Oxford Annotated NRSV notes). The glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. The idea that all the leaders and elders of all the tribes of Israel and Judah are present as a united monarchy in the city of Zion to dedicate a single sanctuary / temple / place of worship is acknowledged by the LORD's visible presence 'in thick darkness.'

Solomon's prayer and vision runs from 8:22-9.9. The language is from Deuteronomy picking up the divine promise to David for an eternal dynasty, and applying the promise in terms of the temple's significance. Yet, the broader significance was "a house of prayer." It is noted that God's habitation is heaven, but when people pray towards this temple (from anywhere, an allusion to the Diaspora) God will hear and answer. In addition, the ears of God are attuned to the foreigner who comes to this place in response to hearing of God's great deeds, and will be heard.

For the Christian, our own buildings may well be understood in these terms - as witnesses to the resurrection of the Son of David, and the eternal dynasty which reigns from the right hand of God, and a place of prayer for all peoples. I wonder if the preacher couldn't focus effectively on our place of worship as a place of prayer. My favorite definition / understanding of prayer is not so much asking what God can do for you, as it is being willing to hear what God is asking you to do. There is some fruitful preaching here.

This is a pilgrimage hymn expressing the joy of traveling to Jerusalem, bordering on the mystical expression of longing to dwell in the proximity of God. The good sought for here is the winter rain (v.6) and the bounty it produces (Hag. 1:10). A bountiful life is the dream of the faithful, and now, more than a dream, a reality for those who trust in God.

A reminder from Paul that the warfare of the Christian is against powers and principalities who have reigned (and continue to reign) in the hearts of those who have no knowledge of God. Those who have heard the message of the gospel are encouraged to remain faithful, 'standing firm.' Prayer is once again the message exhorted for the believer's life, praying for everyone who adheres to the message, and for everyone who speaks the message, that the message might renew the face of the earth, and reconcile the creation to the Creator.

The message of Jesus as the Christ, the who will suffer the ignominy of crucifixion that will crush the flesh and pour out the blood like a grape is too hard for many of his followers to accept and adopt. V.66, "Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him." Even the twelve are asked if they wish to go away, but Simon Peter responds by affirming there is no other place they can go in order to find eternal life.

(Comments to Michael at mphillip@epix.net.)

First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Berwick, Pennsylvania (Susquehanna North Branch)