The Temple of the LORD is no more…at least at this time in Israel’s history. The people have been defeated by the Babylonians and deported. The walls of Jerusalem have been torn down. Solomon’s temple has been destroyed. There is no place to go into the presence of God.
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy He had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: "This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (Ezra 1:1-2 NLT)
Prior to Moses, everyone met with God face to face. Adam, Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When they encountered the living God, it was face to face. When the Israelites left Egypt, though, they were terrified to see the LORD face to face. So, they asked Moses to be a go-between. He became a prophet, speaking the word of the LORD to them.
Any of you who are His people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!" (Ezra 1:3 NLT)
At the same time, God gave the Israelites a way to experience the very presence of God among them. They built a tent with the specifications given to them by God. This tabernacle (tent) would contain the Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place) inside where the Arc of the Covenant was placed, holding the Mercy Seat where the LORD would sit in judgement of God’s people. The tabernacle stayed with them until the Israelites had a land of their own. Then, under the rule of king Solomon, they built the Temple of the LORD. Now, it is torn down. It is gone. They will need to rebuild the Temple as a place to Encounter God.
How about you? Do you go into the presence of God? Where? How do you Encounter God? Is it torn down? Do you need to rebuild a “temple” where you Encounter God again?
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