In the millennial temple there is nothing said about a golden altar of incense or the seven branched golden lampstand. The altar of incense symbolized the prayers of God’s people ascending to the Lord (Ps 141:2; Rev 8:3). Since the Lord is present with them in Revelation, there is no symbolic prayer. As for the lampstand, which symbolized the light of God’s truth, the shekinah glory was prsent in the temple of the Lord.

Ezekiel had seen the glory depart from the temple, but now he saw the glory return (Ezek 43:1-12). His guide took him back to the eastern gate in the outer court, and when he looked out, he saw the glory approaching. Along with the sight of the glory, came the voice “like the noise/roar of many waters” (Rev 1:15; 14:2; 19:6). Ezekiel prostrated himself to the ground as he did when he saw the glory throne at the beginning of his calling. (Ezek 1:28; 3:23; 9:8; 11:13). Then the temple was filled with God’s glory, and the Spirit transported Ezekiel back into the inner court.

In both the tabernacle and the temple, God’s glory was “enthroned” on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies (Ex 25:22; Ps 80:1; 99:1). In the millennial temple there is no mention of the ark and mercy seat. The temple will still be God’s throne (Ezek 43:6-7), and the Messiah will still reign (Zech 6:9-13). Ezekiel describes the glory of the temple in detail and wrote it down so God’s people will get the message and want to obey the Lord. A similar admonition is found in (Ezek 44:4-8) when Ezekiel was at the North Gate. We need to take heart not to be complacent when it comes to the things of God.

Putting faith in the Lord (Heb 11; Ps 51:16-17; Hab 2:4) shows lessons that can be learnt.

Genuine success is found in establishing a relationship with God, discovering who He created you to be, then developing talents and gifts He has given you, just like Ezekiel pursued. It’s all about Trust, obeying and being content in amongst the circumstances.

(Ex 25:10-22; 37:1-9) God must be put first in everything.

We notice that 6 is representional number of man. There were six pieces of furniture assocated with the Tabernacle and the ark of the covenant is mentioned first.

The ark had many names besides “the ark of the covenant” (Num 10:33). It was called “the ark of God” (1 Sam 3:3),  “the ark of the Lord” (Josh  3:15), “the ark of the Lord God” (1 Kings 2:26), “the ark of the testimony” (Ex 25:22), because the tables of the law were in it , “the Holy ark” (2 Chron 35:3), and “the aark of God’s strength (Ps 132:8). The ark represented the power and authority of God in the camp of Israel, and this is why its named first. This is an illustration of Matthew 6:33.

The ark also teaches us about Messiah. It was made of wood, which speaks of humanity, but was completely overlaid with gold, which speaks of His diety. According to Heb 9:4, within the ark were the tablets of the law (Ex 25:16), a pot of manna (16:32-34), and Aharon’s rod that budded (Num 16-17). These objects tell us that the law of God was in Yeshua’s heart and He perfectly obeyed and fulfilled it. (Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9); He is the bread of Life who gives eternal life to all who receive Him (John 6:32); and He lives by the pow3r of an endless life so we can be fruitful for God (Heb 7:16).

The golden mercy seat upon the ark had a cherub at each end and their wings overshadowed the ark. (View notes in Kings re: shadow).

Frequently in scripture you find the image of finding safety “under His wings”. (Ps 57:1; 63:7; Matt 23:37; Lk 13:34), but it can also refer to being under the wings of the cherubim in the holy of holies (Ruth 2:12; Ps 17:8; 36:7-8; 61:4; 91:1, 4).

In one’s journey through this life, people of God get their directions from the throne of God and attempt to follow the glory of God.

“Seek  first the kingdom of God” (Matt 6:33) is a central command from Yeshua to prioritize God’s rule, righteousnes and will over worldly concerns, anxiety and material pursuits. It means that loving God and others is the driving force of life, and trusting, that God will provide the necessary needs.

God is present to nourish His people (Ex 25:23-29; 37:10-16).

It’s never too late to make a new start in your spiritual life. Genuine success is found in establishing a relationship with God, discovering who He created you to be, then developing your talents and gifts He has given you!

“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose” (Ps 20:4).

Some KEY WORDS and TERMS

Hiram חירם Chiyram pronounced khee-rawm’

Hiram / Huram = “noble”

1) the king of Tyre who sent workmen and materials to Jerusalem to build both the palace for David and the temple for Solomon
2) the chief architect and engineer of Solomon’s temple sent by King Hiram to Solomon

6:1 Ziv/Zif = “brightness”

1) name of the 2nd month of the year, corresponding to Apr-May

cubits (Heb) אמה ‘ammah pronounced am-maw’

1) cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (0.5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit, {De 3:11 } the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary {Eze 40:5 }.

Solomon שׁלמה Shᵉlomoh pronounced shel-o-mo’

Solomon = “peace”

1) son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs.

David = “beloved”

1) youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.

Fulfilling David’s dream

“Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find our a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” Ps 132:3-5. It was King David’s passionate desire to build a temple for the glory of the Lord.

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” (Ps 27:4).

The Lord knew David’s heart but made it clear that He had other plans for His beloved servant (2 Sam7). David was preoccupied with fighting wars and expanding and defending the borders of the kingdom of Israel that he didn’t have time to supervise such a complex and demanding enterprise. Solomon, the man of peace, was God’s choice to build the temple, and his father prepared him for the task and encouraged him. (1 Chron 22 and 28).

Fathers have an awesome responsibility. Prov 22:6  “Train up a child in the way he should go” is a biblical principle suggesting that early, intentional training in righteousness, morality, and God’s ways provides a lasting foundation, ensuring they will not depart from it in adulthood. It emphasizes molding a child’s character through discipline and instruction.

The nations surrounding Israel had temples dedicated to their false gods, and the people of Israel wanted to dedicate a  temple to honor Jehovah of Hosts, the true and living God. In the Year 966, the 4th year of His reign Solomon began the work.

Securing the materials (1 Kings 5:1-12).

David had set aside some of the spoils of battle especially for the Lord (1 Chron 22:14). This amounted to 3 750 tons of gold, 37 500 tons of silver, and unmeasured amount of bronze, iron, wood and stone. All this wealth he presented publicly to Solomon (1 Chron 29:1-5). David also added his own personal treasure and invited the leaders of the nation to contribute (1 Chron 29:1-10). The final totals were 4 050 tons of gold, 38 000 tons of silver, 1 000’s of tons of bronze and iron and precious stones.

David gave Solomon the plans for the temple that had been given to him by the Lord (1 Chron 28). David had assembled artisans and laborers to follow those plans and work in wood and stone to prepare material for the temple (1 Chron 22:1-4). Hiram, King of Tyre, had provided workers and materials for the building of David’s palce (2 Sam 5:11), and David had enlisted their help in preparing wood for the temple (1 Chron 22:4). Solomon took advantage of this royal friendship to enlist Hiram to provide workers and timber needed for the temple. David had told Hiram about God’s covenant (2 Sam 7) and God’s choice of Solomon to build the house of God. Solomon made it clear that he was constructing, not a monument to the glory of his father, but a temple to the homor of the name of the Lord.

Hiram was the son of a mixed marriage, for his father was a Phoenician and his mother was from the tribe of Naphtali. He was gifted as a metal worker and cast the two pillars at the entrance of the temple as well as the metal furnishings within the temple.

Solomon’s letter was really a commercial contract, for in it he offred to pay for the wood by providing food annually for Hiram’s household (5:11), and also to pay the workers one large payment for their labor (2 Chron 2:10). Until the work was completed, King Hiram’s household received annually 125 000 bushels of wheat and 115 000 gallons of pure olive oil. The workers would receive one payment of 125 000 bushels of wheat,  and 125 000 bushels of barley, 115 000 gallons of wine and olive oil, all of which would be divided among them. In his reply, Hirim accepted the terms and outlined the proceedure. His men would cut the trees in Lebanon, prepare the logs and then take them down the coast to Joppa (modern Jaffa); 2 Chron 2:16. At Joppa the timber was transported overland to the building site, about 35 mi/56 kms away.

It was important to have leaders who gave their support to the project.

Some KEY WORDS and TERMS

8:6 mediator (Gk) μεσίτης mesites pronounced mes-ee’-tace

1) one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant
2) a medium of communication, arbitrator

9:23 patterns (Gk) ὑπόδειγμα hupodeigma pronunced hoop-od’-igue-mah

1) a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy
2) an example: for imitation
2a) of the thing to be imitated
2b) for a warning, of a thing to be shunned

10:1 shadow (Gk) σκιά skia pronounced skee’-ah

1) shadow
1a) shade caused by the interception of light
1b) an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object
1c) a sketch, outline, adumbration (A faint sketch; an imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing.)

(Heb) צל tsel pronounced tsale

Ge 19:8 is the 1st mention of shadow. “…they under the shadow of my roof.” ESV. One meaning here is hospitality for guests.

1) shadow, shade
1a) shadow (on dial)
1b) shadow, shade (as protection)
1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life)

צ sade the primary meaning is Humility Righteousness. Another meaning is Submission to the Divine will, Charity, Love. The shadow meaning of sade is self-righteousness, letting failure discourage you. 

ל lamed the primary meaning is Reaching up to God for Divine knowledge, Receiving Divine knowledge into your heart. 

The shadow meaning of lamed is Narrow thinking, Self-Importance, Workaholic.

Every word, every letter, especially in Hebrew has a positive and a corresponding negative connotation. 

James 1:17 is the last mention of the word shadow / darkness.

KEY WORDS AND TERMS

Uzziah = “my strength is Jehovah”. A son of King Amaziah of Judah and king of Judah himself for 52 years. Uzziah was 16 when he became an intelligent and innovative king of Judah. The first 24 years of his reign were as a co-regent with his father, Amaziah. 

Ministering during Uzziah’s reign were the prophets Hosea, Isaiah, Amos, and Jonah. Zechariah is most likely a godly prophet to whom Uzziah listened. Unfortunately, King Uzziah’s fame and strength led him to become proud, and this led to his downfall (2 Chron 26:16). Uzziah became angry with the priests who dared confront him, he died a leper. 

lips = שׂפה saphah or (in dual and plural) שׂפת sepheth

meaning: lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding.

seraphims = שׂרף saraph

1) serpent, fiery serpent
1a) poisonous serpent (fiery from burning effect of poison)
2) seraph, seraphim
2a) majestic beings with 6 wings, human hands or voices in attendance upon God

pistachio/teil/oak tree = אלה ‘elah. A valley where David killed Goliath.

Ahaz = “he has grasped”

1) King of Judah, son Yotam (Jotham), father of Uziyahu (Hezekiah)
2) a Benjamite, son of Micah, and great-grandson of Jonathan

Retzin = “firm”

King of Aram (Damascus), during the reigns of kings Yotam and Ahaz of Judah.

Pekah = “opened”

Son of Remaliah, originally a captain of King Pekahiah of Israel, murdered Pekahiah, usurped the throne and became the 18th king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Before Isaiah, a prophet announced any “woes” on others, he first confessed his own sin. Note the four states in Isaiah’s experience with God.

Sight: He saw the Lord (Isa 6:1-4). Only here are the seraphim mentioned. The hebrew word here means “to burn” and relates these creatures to the holiness of God. From heavens point of view, “the whole earth” was “full of His glory” (Isa 6:3). See Num 14:21-22; Ps 72:18-19. When circumstances look down, do one’s best to look from a heavenly perspective.

Insight: Great conviction was bought to Isaiah’s heart. Unclean lips are caused by an unclean heart (Mt 12:34-35). Isaiah cried out to be cleansed inwardly (Ps 51:10; 1 Jn 1:9), and God met his need and was verified by the word of the Lord (Isa 6:7). Like many heros of faith one must be humbled before God.

Vision: He saw the need (Isa 6:8). The nation needed the Lord. He accepted the appointment and made himself available. He didn’t discuss his call as Moshe (Ex 3:11-4:15) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:4) did. Each person has an opportunity to share God’s character and nature.

Blindness: The nation couldn’t see. vv 9-10 are quoted six times in; (Mt 13:13-14; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Jn 12:40; Acts 28:25-28 and Rom 11:8). The more people resist God’s truth the less able they are to receive. The test was of faithfulness. God informed Isaiah that it would seem as failure, the land ruined and the people taken captive (Isa 6:11-12). A remnant would survive. Isaiah needed a long range perspective.

The B’rit Hadashah suggested readings correlate this these notes.

As we continue from last week, God deserves our praise. This is outlined in (Ex 18:1-12).

After reading about the trials, complaints, its relief to move into a chapter describing a camp that has fellowship and community business. We see here that praise is a good antidote for a complaining spirit.

In Yetro’s message (vv 1-6), we read about Moshe’s father-in-law in 2:11-22, but his presence here raises two questions: (1) How did Yethro hear about the works of God in Egypt? and (2) When did Moshe’s wife and two sons return home?

After the exodus we read Moshe sent a messenger to Yethro asking him to bring Zipporah and the two boys and meet him at Sinai.

Yethro’s arrival (vv 7-8). In the East family members and community greet one another when they meet (Lk 10:4). Hospitality is the first law of the East, hence Moshe invited Yethro and the reat of the visitors to join him in his tent. Moshe gave details to Yethro about what the Lord had done.

Yethro’s worship (vv 9-12). Like Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-24), Yethro was a Gentile priest (Ex 2:16). He said that Egyptians suffered loss because they had “treated Israel arrogantly” (Ex 18:11). (Mal 1:11) For from farthest east to farthest west my name is great among the nations … says ADONAI-Tzva’ot.

Tasks (vv 13-16). The nation had elders (v 13; 4:29), but they weren’t assisting Moshe in daily affairs. There were basic regulations for the management of the camp (Ex 18:16). The phrase “statutes and laws” can refer to God’s will in general as well as to specific ordinances from the Lord. God blessed Abraham for obeying His commandments, statutes and laws, long before the Law was given. (Gen 26:5).

Judicial codes are necessary for oder and security in society. Later the priests would assist in this task (Mal 2:4-7); but the priesthood had not yet been established. From the time of Ezra 7:10), the scribes became the students and interpreteres of the Law.

A danger (vv 17-18). Moshe’s leadership was crucial for the success of the community. Any activity that drained his energy or wasted his time would hold consequences not only to those close to him but to the nation. Yethro shows compassion to his son-in-law. He also didn’t want to see Zipporah become a widow and his two grandsons fatherless. Moshe had confessed that the burden was too much for him to contemplate alone (Num 11:14).

Easier קלל qalal, in (Ex 18:22) means “to take cargo from a ship”. That will make your load lighter. In the shadow meaning, easier can mean, to treat with contempt, bring contempt or dishonour.

vv 19-27 are suggestions. Assisted chosen rulers could help make wise decisions. Moshe was to be an interceder, seeking God’s direction in difficult cases. Yethro urged Moshe to talk to God. In matters of organisation and management, but people can practice policies and principles making sure that all is in agreement with scripture. (James 3:13-18). An important aspects in delegating responsibilites is that leaders have the ability and character, men of truth. (Ex 18:21; Acts 6:1-7). These assistants had to have good reputations, be full of the Spirit and Wisdom, and approved by the people.

According to Dt 1:9-18, Moshe admitted his own weaknesses and weariness. When Israel moved into the Promised Land, they appointed officers in each town to assist in the settling of cases, gatekeepers (Ex 16:18-20). These men were to make listen and make advise wise decisions.

How often today some people do not have a teachable heart to be advised of matters of wisdom. Of course we have to discern the principle behind any practice. Self defeating organisations and individuals embalm their own structure of thinking and refuse to change, even to their own detriment. Then, that injures or causes damage; mischief; harm; diminution; loss; damage; used very generically, one will keep going around that mountain again, and wonder why there is no advancement.

There is a lesson in every statement one makes, just as there are spirits behind every disappointment, being let down, betrayal, deceit, manipulation, coercion, doubt and any emotional strongholds, and of course there are also enabling and enforcing spirits behind them as well.  One has to realign emotions, security and thought patterns to be align with God. One has to be refreshed with the Living Water and not be spiritually enadequate to handle what is assigned to God’s Kingdom.