1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk… Most of the religious ideas and expressions with which we are familiar had their origin far back in distant ages; and it is interesting and instructive to trace them to their source, and mark their alteration and expansion in the progressive course of Divine revelation. This is the first instance in which the expression "the temple of the Lord" occurs. Notice - I. ITS SCRIPTURAL APPLICATIONS. 1. A material structure. "In the earliest ages God was worshipped without any distinction at any time and at any place, whenever and wherever the promptings of devotion moved in the hearts of his creatures; more especially, however, under the shadow of embowering trees, on hills and mountains, and in places where they had experienced some special manifestations of his favour" (Jahn). The first erection (with the exception of altars) was (1) the tabernacle or tent (Exodus 25:8), here called the temple or (more literally) the palace of Jehovah, as the royal residence of the king of Israel. Afterwards (2) the temple of Solomon; (3) of Zerubbabel; and (4) of Herod. 2. The incarnate Word (John 1:14; John 2:21; Colossians 2:19). 3. Christian men. The body of each (1 Corinthians 6:19). The whole assembly (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5). Observe the progress: - God for us, with us, in us; Father, Son, Spirit. 4. The heavenly world. Although there is no temple therein Revelation 21:22), yet heaven is altogether a temple Revelation 7:15). II. ITS MAIN SIGNIFICANCE in all these applications. It is - 1. Set apart for the Lord. Selected, separated, and consecrated as his possession, and for his use. 2. Inhabited by him. His throne is there. He dwells between the cherubim, in fellowship with the redeemed. 3. Manifests him in his holiness and love. His glory appears, his voice is heard, his will is declared (Exodus 25:22; Hebrews 4:16). 4. In it service is rendered to him. At first it was chiefly in outward symbolical acts; afterwards of the man himself, "body, soul, and spirit" (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). In each of these particulars we see the principle of progress, from the natural to the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). III. ITS SPIRITUAL SUGGESTIONS. 1. That the place in which man worships is of far less importance than man himself and his possession of a holy character. No place or building can be holy in the full sense of the word. For holiness implies intelligence, affection, freedom; and these make him unspeakably greater than all "the gorgeous palaces and solemn temples" which the earth contains. "To this man will I look," etc. (Isaiah 57:15; 67:1, 2; Matthew 12:6). "Let more regard be paid to the promotion of religion than the decoration of churches; for although it is a good thing that churches should be beautiful edifices, yet virtue forms their best crown and ornament. It seems to us that the building of handsome churches pertains rather to the Old Testament, whilst the improvement of character and life is the more peculiar work of the Christian dispensation" (Charlemagne, Capitulary of the year 811). 2. That the pattern to which the character of man must be conformed is Jesus Christ. He is not only the Living Stone to whom every one must come that he may be built up into the "spiritual house," the Chief Cornerstone on which the whole building rests, but also the perfect Model according to which each and all must be fashioned (Romans 8:29). 3. That the character of man is conformed to its Divine pattern by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. 4. That only those in whom God dwells here will be fit to dwell with God hereafter, and constitute the heavenly tabernacle and temple Revelation 21:3). Above all things, seek to be in the building which God is rearing for his habitation, and for an everlasting monument to his praise. - D. Parallel Verses KJV: So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. |
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