October 7, 2023: Haftorah - I Kings 8:2-21
This week's Haftorah reading is from I Kings 8:2-21. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he concentrates on the completion of the Holy Temple, the significant things that took place on this day, and most importantly, what this special event means for us today!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – I Kings 8:2-21
The construction of the Holy Temple was completed. King Solomon assembled the leaders and elders of the tribes of Jerusalem, and with great excitement the Levites transported the Ark from its temporary location in the City of David and installed it in the Holy of Holies in the Holy Temple. The dedication of the Temple was a day to be remembered in Israel’s national history. Significant things took place on this great day and such became the seal of Elohim’s favor on the House built for His name. The House was crowned with His glory and Presence! This was not only a moment in history but points to a time to a prophetic time to come that finds fulfillment in Yeshua and the Kehillah!
The dedication of the Temple took place in the Feast of the seventh month, the Feast of Sukkot. This is the first most significant thing to consider. Solomon could have dedicated the Temple in the Feast of Pesach and Unleavened Bread in the first month of this twelfth year of his reign. He could have dedicated the Temple in the 3rd month which was the Feast of Shavuot month. But he was undoubtedly directed by Adonai to dedicate it in the Feast of the seventh month, the great Feast of Sukkot. It is Feast of Sukkot that seals the dedication of the Temple of Solomon.
Sukkot took place in the seventh month of the sacred year. It commemorated their deliverance from Egypt, their journey through the wilderness into the land of promise. It was the consummation of months. In this was the Feast Day of Trumpets, the first day of the month, the great National Day of Atonement on the tenth day; then it concluded with the Feast of Sukkot proper from the 15th to the 21st day, with the 22nd solemn day to crown it all.
The Feast of Sukkot was the ultimate of these three feasts and we find more about this feast than any other. It seems the most significant things took place in this feast of the seventh month. For examples: Israel kept the Feast of Sukkot only in Canaan land, not in Egypt or the wilderness; Solomon dedicated the Temple in this festival month; The restored Temple also was dedicated in the Feast of Sukkot (Haggai 2:9; Neh. 8:17; Ezra 3); Yeshua taught significant truths in this month (John 7:37-39).
There is also power in the number seven: We see that this feast is stamped with the number seven. It took Solomon seven years to build the Temple. The Temple according to Scripture says the House was “finished” and “perfected”. One day Elohim’s house (His children) will be a finished work and brought to perfection. The Temple was dedicated in the seventh month. The first day of the seventh month was the day of blowing of trumpets. This was a time of preparation of the people over the seven days. In these seven days dedication of the altar, the tenth day was the great Day of Atonement. A study of the offerings in this period, according to the law, reveals the number seven stamped upon all of the Levitical sacrifices. Sin had to be cleansed by blood atonement over these seven days. In these seven days the Temple was dedicated to Adonai of Israel. All was sealed by the descent of the glory-fire and presence of Yah. The number seven is the number of completeness, of fullness and perfection. It points to the end-times relative to the plan of redemption. It is prophetic of the fact that Elohim’s people, His Kehillah, will come to completeness, to fullness of maturity and perfection as the Kehillah enters in and experiences all that was prophetically symbolized in the Feast of Sukkot.
Remember, after the dedication of the great altar by blood sacrifices, the ark of Elohim could be then taken into the most Holy place, the Holy of Holies. In the procession, the Ark was taken from Mt. Zion, from the Tabernacle of David and brought into the Temple on Mt. Moriah and placed in “His Place” in the holiest of all. The king led the way, with the priests following, then the singers and musicians. The priests would receive the Ark from the Levities at the Temple doors and then take the Ark into the most holy place. There the Ark was set between the two great olive cherubim, overshadowing it by their outspread wings. The staves were taken out. Its journeyings were over. Only the law of Yah on the tablets of stone from Mt. Horeb remained in the Ark of Adonai. Thus, the order of Moses and David are united in the Temple order with the Ark and worship. All was now ready for the glory of Adonai to descend and dwell among the people. As the priests retired from the Holy oracle, the glory cloud would descend and fill the House.
It seems that, after the dedication of the altar of sacrifice, the placing of the Ark of Adonai in the Holy oracle amidst the unity of singers and musicians, that the glory cloud of Adonai descended and filled the House of Adonai. The priests could not stand to minister by reason of the glory of Adonai. It was the cessation of man’s ministry and the revelation of the glory of Adonai. The Ruach reigned supreme!
It was this glory cloud which led Israel as the kehillah in the wilderness for 40 years. It was this cloud that gave Israel light and fire by night and provided a cloud of covering in the day time from the heat. The cloud of darkness to the Egyptians but light to Israel as the people of Yah. Paul says that Israel was baptized in the Red Sea and in the cloud. That cloud was upon Mt. Sinai in the giving of the revelation of the law, the priesthood and the Tabernacle of Moses. Adonai left Mt. Sinai and appeared in this cloud over the blood-stained mercy seat in the Tabernacle of Moses. Israel’s life was governed by the movements of the cloud in connection with the silver trumpets. All had to follow the cloud!
That cloud had lifted over the years because of Israel’s idolatry in Canaan land. But now in the dedication of the Temple of Adonai, that cloud returns in glory and fills the House of Yah. Here it takes its place once again on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, the Throne of Yah in the earth, between the two great olive cherubim.
The ultimate fulfillment of the cloud of Elohim is seen on the Mt. of Transfiguration when the true Tabernacle and Temple was revealed. There Yeshua HaMashiach was overshadowed by the bright cloud and the Father’s voice spoke out of the cloud. “This is My beloved Son, hear Him.” A cloud received Yeshua back into heaven and He will come with the clouds again!
Today we are awaiting the return of the glory-fire cloud! However, as believers we must present ourselves as “living sacrifices”, holy and acceptable unto Elohim which is our reasonable and priestly service (Rom. 12:1-2). We must present “spiritual sacrifices” unto Adonai as faithful believers. As believers, we are called to offer sacrifices to our Yah acceptable to Elohim through Yeshua the Messiah (I Peter 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6; 5:9-10).
As His people, His remnant, His Kehillah, we are now Elohim’s Temple. The Ruach HaKodesh is the shekinah glory in the midst of His people. In His Kehillah, the name, the law, the presence and glory of Adonai abide. We, as believers, offer up the sacrifice of our lives to our King. Adonai desires to have us maintain a pure and holy Temple for His dwelling place. Let us as His bride prepare ourselves for our Bridegroom and make our lives a holy place for Him to dwell! May His Glory-fire be evident in our lives and may He be seen in us by those in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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Have a great and blessed Sabbath and may this Feast of Joy change your perspective and transform your life! Prepare for He is coming soon! Arise and shine and the Glory of Yah set ablaze in your life!
See you at the altar
Shalom Aleichem