The New Temple (from Feb 2011)
Study Based on Parsha T'rumah
Introduction:
The Parsha T’rumah (from Exodus 21:1 through to 27:19) lies between the giving and receiving of the two versions of the Sinaitic Laws which we know commonly as “The Ten Words” or “The Ten Commandments”. The entire passage gives the first instructions for the building and furnishing of the Tabernacle to be used in the wilderness.
It is quite clear that the construction of the Tabernacle, and the subsequent Temple to be built in Yerushalayim several centuries later, are important both to God and to His people. Yet at the same time (for us), we read in the Psalms such phrases as “Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (22:3) Is it possible that the Tabernacle/Temple was not a necessity to the extent that Moshe and Shlomo thought it was? Is it possible that God had / has something else in mind?
The Tabernacle and the Temple
The Torah and Hahftorah passages this week are linked to each other because they deal with details of construction – first for the Tabernacle in the wilderness, second for the Temple under the supervision of King Shlomo (Solomon). We can take as ‘clearly understood’ that the Temple is a latter derivative based on the Tabernacle which was lost at Shiloh some years after the Israelites entered the Promised Land yet prior to the Temple’s being built. We can also accept, based on Scripture, that both are simply ‘shadows’ of the great heavenly Temple which provides the blueprints.
Both buildings themselves are also related to each other. They are constructed to provide an earthly dwelling place for God. To coin a phrase from the movie “Field of Dreams”, it is as if God says to Moshe: “If you build it, I will come” [and dwell among you]. The Tabernacle was given to the twelve tribes to provide a place where they could meet with Elohim, a place which, as one student remarked, “They could focus on, knowing that God was there”. Our first question however, is “Why was it necessary to have a focal point for the people’s eyes, minds and hearts?”
The Parsha T’rumah (from Exodus 21:1 through to 27:19) lies between the giving and receiving of the two versions of the Sinaitic Laws which we know commonly as “The Ten Words” or “The Ten Commandments”. The entire passage gives the first instructions for the building and furnishing of the Tabernacle to be used in the wilderness.
It is quite clear that the construction of the Tabernacle, and the subsequent Temple to be built in Yerushalayim several centuries later, are important both to God and to His people. Yet at the same time (for us), we read in the Psalms such phrases as “Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (22:3) Is it possible that the Tabernacle/Temple was not a necessity to the extent that Moshe and Shlomo thought it was? Is it possible that God had / has something else in mind?
The Tabernacle and the Temple
The Torah and Hahftorah passages this week are linked to each other because they deal with details of construction – first for the Tabernacle in the wilderness, second for the Temple under the supervision of King Shlomo (Solomon). We can take as ‘clearly understood’ that the Temple is a latter derivative based on the Tabernacle which was lost at Shiloh some years after the Israelites entered the Promised Land yet prior to the Temple’s being built. We can also accept, based on Scripture, that both are simply ‘shadows’ of the great heavenly Temple which provides the blueprints.
Both buildings themselves are also related to each other. They are constructed to provide an earthly dwelling place for God. To coin a phrase from the movie “Field of Dreams”, it is as if God says to Moshe: “If you build it, I will come” [and dwell among you]. The Tabernacle was given to the twelve tribes to provide a place where they could meet with Elohim, a place which, as one student remarked, “They could focus on, knowing that God was there”. Our first question however, is “Why was it necessary to have a focal point for the people’s eyes, minds and hearts?”
In just a couple more parshiot, following the remaining instructions to the priests about clothing, and worship ‘styles’, we are going to encounter the creation of The Golden Bull by Aharon. This will prove to be the gravest sin of the people – and indeed it has flavoured the culture, traditions and mindset of the Jewish People for over 3500 years. A careful reading of that passage will reveal the orders given by the rabble to Aharon: “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for the Moshe, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” (Ex 32:1) Clearly the people are expressing a need for someone [or something] close by, a tangible, visible sign of God’s presence with them, which they can ‘follow’. They have been unable to endure even a mere 40 days without actual leadership. This answers the question as to why something was necessary. The absence of a “real” sign has led the people into apostacy and sin through idolatry.
The fact that the instructions are being given here, instead of following the creation of the idol, is open to discussion. I believe one of two scenarios are possible. Either Elohim is aware of the approaching sin of the people and thus - in anticipation - gives the instruction to Moshe while He has his attention atop Sinai, or the passages are rearranged in a non-chronological order so as to include the instructions with the original receiving of the Ten Words – thus not breaking the flow of the story later on. Frankly, I can live with either interpretation as they do not erode the majesty of Elohim in any way nor do they affect the veracity of the account.
From Tabernacle to Temple
At any rate, the Tabernacle is eventually built by the people, following the direction of God through His servant Moshe. It continues to be the focal point through-out the desert wanderings for the next four decades and well into the people’s conquering and settling of the Holy Land. Eventually, however, it is lost, and the seed of thought about a replacement is planted - first into the mind of King David and later in his Son Shlomo. It is Shlomo who eventually has the Temple constructed on Mount Moriah in what would soon become the focal point of all focal points. The story is partially told in this week’s Hahftorah passage: 1 Kings 5:12-6:13
The fact that the instructions are being given here, instead of following the creation of the idol, is open to discussion. I believe one of two scenarios are possible. Either Elohim is aware of the approaching sin of the people and thus - in anticipation - gives the instruction to Moshe while He has his attention atop Sinai, or the passages are rearranged in a non-chronological order so as to include the instructions with the original receiving of the Ten Words – thus not breaking the flow of the story later on. Frankly, I can live with either interpretation as they do not erode the majesty of Elohim in any way nor do they affect the veracity of the account.
From Tabernacle to Temple
At any rate, the Tabernacle is eventually built by the people, following the direction of God through His servant Moshe. It continues to be the focal point through-out the desert wanderings for the next four decades and well into the people’s conquering and settling of the Holy Land. Eventually, however, it is lost, and the seed of thought about a replacement is planted - first into the mind of King David and later in his Son Shlomo. It is Shlomo who eventually has the Temple constructed on Mount Moriah in what would soon become the focal point of all focal points. The story is partially told in this week’s Hahftorah passage: 1 Kings 5:12-6:13
The passage opens with a series of very large numbers. As we read further, we realize that the workforce is made up of what may be slave labour under the auspices of King Hiram of Tyre. Other workers may be part of a legitimate group of hired labourers. For Israel’s part, we see a number of labourers temporarily conscripted to the task which lasts over some 7 to 9 years. King Solomon also supplies a group of overseers – middle management and foremen - numbering 3300 men. All told there is at least 180 000 men involved in the quarrying (in Lebanon), preparing, transporting, of the stone and the erection of the Temple in Yerushalayim.
The other point of interest is that the Temple was, in today’s language, “modular”. We read in 1 Kings 6:7 that all the stones were quarried, shaped and finished while still in Lebanon. The author says that no sounds of hammer or chisel were heard on the Temple mount. The reason is that the mount is holy ground, like Sinai’s apex, and unruly noise of construction would disturb the holiness and sanctity. In one commentary one can find this note: “The great moral truth enshrined in 6:7 is: A Temple of YHVH cannot exist where there is discord, violence and revolt.” In his commentary, Matthew Henry notes: “The work of YHVH should be done with much care and little noise. Clamour and violence often hinder but never further the work of Elohim.”
When the temple is completed, Elohim speaks to Shlomo, promising that He will do His part – namely “I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” However, there is a foundation of expectation on the Israelites – in that they will “walk in My statues and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them.” (See 6:12,13)
The Failure of the Temple
We realize that the people fall short of the agreement however, and after concerted warnings, in the year 586 BCE, the Temple is destroyed by the invading Babylonian forces. Jeremiah tries to do his part in warning the people and the rulers of his day about this – see Jeremiah 7:1-12; 12:7; 17:1-8; 25:1-11; 26:1-6 and 39:1-2 & 6-8 for touch points in Jeremiah’s message.
The other point of interest is that the Temple was, in today’s language, “modular”. We read in 1 Kings 6:7 that all the stones were quarried, shaped and finished while still in Lebanon. The author says that no sounds of hammer or chisel were heard on the Temple mount. The reason is that the mount is holy ground, like Sinai’s apex, and unruly noise of construction would disturb the holiness and sanctity. In one commentary one can find this note: “The great moral truth enshrined in 6:7 is: A Temple of YHVH cannot exist where there is discord, violence and revolt.” In his commentary, Matthew Henry notes: “The work of YHVH should be done with much care and little noise. Clamour and violence often hinder but never further the work of Elohim.”
When the temple is completed, Elohim speaks to Shlomo, promising that He will do His part – namely “I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” However, there is a foundation of expectation on the Israelites – in that they will “walk in My statues and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them.” (See 6:12,13)
The Failure of the Temple
We realize that the people fall short of the agreement however, and after concerted warnings, in the year 586 BCE, the Temple is destroyed by the invading Babylonian forces. Jeremiah tries to do his part in warning the people and the rulers of his day about this – see Jeremiah 7:1-12; 12:7; 17:1-8; 25:1-11; 26:1-6 and 39:1-2 & 6-8 for touch points in Jeremiah’s message.
Upon the return of the exiles seventy years later, a second Temple is built on the site which is later refurbished and enlarged and beautified under Herod’s leadership, but these new Temples are not as wonderful as the original – few ‘sequels’ ever measure up, do they? As a result, the presence of God is never as majestic as it was when Shlomo’s Temple was consecrated. By the year 70 CE, this last Temple is destroyed and has never been replaced. The era if the Temple seems to have ended in that sacrificial offerings were (and are) no longer required by Elohim. (I am aware that preparations for a so-called third Temple are underway in accord with Biblical Prophecy, but Scripture indicates that it will serve a different purpose in God’s plan)
The Other Temple
The long and the short of this goes back to what God had desired in the first place. He wished from the beginning, to be “enthroned only on the praises of His people”. He prophesied that His covenant would be written on the hearts of men, and that His Spirit, His Shekhinah, His Presence would dwell within the human heart where it would do the most good. Read Jeremiah 31:33 and 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 as well as Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:5 & 6; and 1 Peter 2:4-5. We need to grasp the concept that this was the plan in the beginning – the Edenic life – dwelling in the presence of God daily and being indwelt by that same presence. However we have proved unworthy of this Divine desire.
Today, we have forgotten the words of 1 Kings 6:7. Instead of fostering a suitable dwelling place for God filled with harmony and mercy, we fill it with the clang of hammers and chisels and hard labour. We fill our Temple with the clamour of beating down others with our mallets, of cutting each other to shreds with our chisels. Whether we wish to discuss the individual Temple or the corporate one, that is the Community of Faith made from “living stones”, we have made this new Temple a place unsuitable for God’s Presence because of “discord, violence and revolt”. We turn our backs on the Law and excuse our disobedience. We have cast out His Moedim (Festivals) and warmed up to heathen / pagan practices. And we have welcomed the twisted reading, interpretation and application of His most sacred Word – both written and living.
This is not the Temple God would have, it is not a place where the Holy One, the King of the Universe, can take up residence. It is worse than anything that misaligned the wilderness Tabernacle or the Yerushalayim Temple. And it is only us who can make the change – to get rid of the ungodly chaos and the “den of thieves” atmosphere within our so-called Temples. It is up to us to make these unholy “tents” ready for the Coming King. If we do not begin now, when the anticipated third Temple is built, we will fall for its misuse hook, line and sinker.
(Photo Credits: Eerdman's Handbook to the Bible and E. Cann Brownee)
The long and the short of this goes back to what God had desired in the first place. He wished from the beginning, to be “enthroned only on the praises of His people”. He prophesied that His covenant would be written on the hearts of men, and that His Spirit, His Shekhinah, His Presence would dwell within the human heart where it would do the most good. Read Jeremiah 31:33 and 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 as well as Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:5 & 6; and 1 Peter 2:4-5. We need to grasp the concept that this was the plan in the beginning – the Edenic life – dwelling in the presence of God daily and being indwelt by that same presence. However we have proved unworthy of this Divine desire.
Today, we have forgotten the words of 1 Kings 6:7. Instead of fostering a suitable dwelling place for God filled with harmony and mercy, we fill it with the clang of hammers and chisels and hard labour. We fill our Temple with the clamour of beating down others with our mallets, of cutting each other to shreds with our chisels. Whether we wish to discuss the individual Temple or the corporate one, that is the Community of Faith made from “living stones”, we have made this new Temple a place unsuitable for God’s Presence because of “discord, violence and revolt”. We turn our backs on the Law and excuse our disobedience. We have cast out His Moedim (Festivals) and warmed up to heathen / pagan practices. And we have welcomed the twisted reading, interpretation and application of His most sacred Word – both written and living.
This is not the Temple God would have, it is not a place where the Holy One, the King of the Universe, can take up residence. It is worse than anything that misaligned the wilderness Tabernacle or the Yerushalayim Temple. And it is only us who can make the change – to get rid of the ungodly chaos and the “den of thieves” atmosphere within our so-called Temples. It is up to us to make these unholy “tents” ready for the Coming King. If we do not begin now, when the anticipated third Temple is built, we will fall for its misuse hook, line and sinker.
(Photo Credits: Eerdman's Handbook to the Bible and E. Cann Brownee)
