1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43
8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of
the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites,
before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the
covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
8:6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to
its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy
place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.
8:10 And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled
the house of the LORD,
8:11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the
cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence
of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven.
8:23 He said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in
heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast
love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart,
8:24 the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as
you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day
fulfilled with your hand.
8:25 Therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant my
father David that which you promised him, saying, 'There shall never
fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if
only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have
walked before me.'
8:26 Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which
you promised to your servant my father David.
8:27 "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the
highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have
built!
8:28 Regard your servant's prayer and his plea, O LORD my God,
heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today;
8:29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the
place of which you said, 'My name shall be there,' that you may heed
the prayer that your servant prays toward this place.
8:30 Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when
they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place;
heed and forgive.
8:41 "Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel,
comes from a distant land because of your name
8:42 --for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and
your outstretched arm--when a foreigner comes and prays toward this
house,
8:43 then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to
all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the
earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and
so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house
that I have built.
Comments:
The dedication of the temple concludes with the transfer of the
sacred utensils and the elaborate gifts deriving from David's
conquests. Now Solomon has the ark of the covenant itself brought
into the temple.
This likens to us---we are beaconed to by Holy Spirit(Cloud)
prevenient grace---God dwelling in a Holy- tie this with last week's
Proverbs one preparing the house---how do you and I prepare our
house-our bodies the temple for God to dwell in? Do we eat spiritual
Junk food? Garbage in, then Garbage out...are we a sanctuary for God
to dwell in? Clerically_blonde in West Ohio
Hi, My early thought concerning preaching on this text is to focus
on communal prayer. I see five points. First, Solomon has an
assembly (v.1). Then God is present (v.s 6,10-11) in the cloud—I may
take this opportunity to teach a bit about the theophanic Cloud).
Third, I think that in our prayers it is important to praise God (v.s
22-24)—I read a discussion about this in Dunnam’s Workbook on Living
Prayer. Next, it seems to me that Solomon essentially prays “Thy
Will Be Done,” in v.s 25-30. Fifth, the inclusion of the prayer of
the foreigner in v.s 41-43 may be an opportunity to discuss the
sincere prayers of different great Christians such as Meister Eckart,
Julian of Norwich, St. Augustine, and the Cloud of Unknowing. I am
interested in any stories, ideas, or suggestions.
Leon in NC<><
At one of my churches we are experimenting this year with ecumenical
services in the summer, Tradition has been that each of the three
Protestant churches hosts and leads worship for three weeks each
summer. This year, they have broken with tradition and each church
participates in each service. (There are always at least two clergy
or reps from two of the three churches represented in the
leadership). Thus, we are really working together in a ministry of
ecumenical worship. This week's readings are pertinent to our
ecumenical summer worship. "Even heaven and the highest heaven
cannot contain you, much less this house I have built!" While our
churches celebrate our particular Christian traditions (Church of
England, Church of Scotland, etc.)in style and design and worship,
architecture, etc., we also acknowledge that the church is more than
any tradition can contain. In verses 42-43, it is interesting to
note the role of "the foreigner" in keeping our vision from becoming
insular and myopic. We have a large community of immigrants from
Africa. What is it that the "foreigner" is calling to us? (v43)about
being faithful worshippers in God's house? It reminds me how I felt
to be labelled an "alien" as an international student when I was
studying theology in the US. To call someone a "foreigner" is to
acknowledge that she/he is an outsider to the culture and tradition;
but to call someone an "alien" is to de-humanize them. Early
thoughts. Roberta
My working title for this sermon is "The House of God." Solomon
talks about not being able to contain God in this "house" he has
built, and the Psalm speaks of how lovely is the dwelling place of
God. Three points I'm planning:
1. What makes a church into a house of God? It isn't the
architecture, or the stained-glass windows, it's the spirit of God
that dwells there. It can be a magnificent cathedral, or a
storefront church in the inner city, but if one can sense the Holy
Spirit there, then it's the house of God.
2. Is your own house the house of God? Do you go to church each
week, and think "thank goodness that's over; now I don't have to see
God for another week"? Are you glad to leave God behind at the
church? Or would God feel welcome in your house? How would you feel
if you went into someone's house and didn't feel welcome? Does God
feel welcome in your house? Do you act in your house the way you act
in church? In other words, do you honor God when you're at home, as
well as when you're with other Christians?
3. Your body is also the house of God. Do you honor Him with your
body, as well? Would He feel welcome with your personal habits, or
would they make Him feel uncomfortable? Do you invite God to possess
your body, as well as your soul?
And one more thing: The scripture talks about the foreigner coming
to pray. Does your church (and do you)welcome newcomers/foreigners?
Are there greeters at the door, making sure people feel good about
coming there? I've spent this summer doing pulpit supply at a dozen
or so churches, and I've felt in many of them as though if you're
not a member, you're not really welcome. We've got a kid from the
neighborhood who comes by every day, all day, to play with my kids,
because his home life isn't great. To my shame, I don't welcome him.
To her credit, and to God's glory, my wife does, and makes him feel
at home. She is doing God's work by welcoming this "foreigner."
Just some thoughts; any suggestions/comments?
Will in NJ
I'm going in your direction Will in NJ. It seems there is a tension
between not being able to contain God in this or any house and yet
praying like Solomon did that God would indeed be present in the
building and that those who come to that place, whether sinner, or
foreigner would be blessed by God's presence.
Our presbytery has a web site and they want a picture of our church.
I'm so tired of seeing pictures of buildings...what does that say
about the church -- almost nothing. I'd like to get a picture of the
congregation on the front lawn. It still wouldn't capture who we are
as a church, but better than just a building.
On the other hand, there is something to the building and inviting
God's blessing on it. I'm thinking that this would be a good Sunday
to pray for different parts of our church building and ask God's
presence. KBinAB
As I was looking at this passage I came across an article by Walter
Brueggeman on the previous chapter of 1 Kings that got me thinking
about this passage in a slightly different light. Here is the link
for anyone else who would like to look at it: http://www.theotherside.org/archive/jul-aug98/brueggemann.html,
Amittai Dominic
Here in Houston we are trying to decide what to do with the
Astrodome, once considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Its
dedication was dazzling - the scoreboard alone cost a million
dollars in 1965 - a cowboy chasing a bull with a lasso every time
the Astros hit a home run. Now it sits silent, out classed by new
stadiums with retractable roofs. Solomon's Temple was dedicated with
a similar fanfare (much more extravagant to be sure). Such glory
that day! Such sadness when it was destroyed! I'm still working, but
wanted to share that parallel.
Preacher Pat
This will be my last Sunday as summer intern pastor at the church,
and I am thinking of connecting the lesson from I Kings with a bit
of a farewell message to the congregation. I am planning to focus on
v. 31, Solomon's protestation that God cannot be confined to a house
(my prayer of confession focuses on our tendency to imprison God
within the church and forget about God as soon as we leave the
church). I was going to preach about how God is everywhere, not just
in the church building on Sunday morning, and the same God will
still be present in the lives of the congregation and with me as we
go our separate ways. I may also use vv. 41-43, about the foreigner
(myself) coming into the congregation. I still need to do more
exegesis on these last verses, however. These are early musings, but
I am trying to get my sermon done, or at least partially done this
week, so that I can spend next week packing. I would love to hear
more ideas, so please let me know what you think!
The early bird preacher (for a change!), Desiree in ND :-)
To Desiree in ND: I think you have found an excellent application
for this text in your situation. There always seems to be two ways
of thinking about the temple/church building. On the one hand, we
know God is not confined to one time/place. On the other hand, we
all need sacred places. Solomon acknowledges that God can't be
confined to the temple, but also wants his temple to be a place made
sacred by the presence of God. One might ask if our church buildings
are sacred places, and if so, why (or why not?) One might also
consider the possibility that all creation is sacred since God is
present everywhere. Good luck! CSS
Since beginning my current call, I have struggled to try to bring
together seeral small and struggling congregations into one vital
witness for Christ. The sigle largest barrier has ben the deep,
committed, emotional ties to the edifices and the bricks and mortar,
pews and fonts that had served their parents and grandparents. In
that light I have come to a place where I am viewing the
construction of the Temple as the original heresy of God's people.
With this act, the people move from being a tabernacle people who
worshipped God in the high places and where ever they were to a
people who had to go to a sacred place a place. RevJCY i PA
Since beginning my current call, I have struggled to try to bring
together several small and struggling congregations into one vital
witness for Christ. The sigle largest barrier has be,en the deep,
committed, emotional ties to the edifices and the bricks, mortar,
pews and fonts that had served their parents and grandparents. In
that light I have come to a place where I am viewing the
construction of the Temple as the original heresy of God's people.
With this act, the people move from being a tabernacle people who
worshipped God in the high places and where ever they were to a
people who had to go to a sacred place a place. RevJCY in PA
This is a great opportunity to fool around with the question why we
have church buildings anyway. My Confirmation class once said they
thought they could do away with the ordained clergy--they could each
just meet and pray (all clergy I tell this to groan and protest what
about the history of interpretation of scripture and all else they'd
be throwing away), but they liked having a special place to worship
God because they went there intentionally. When they got into the
building, it focused their thoughts on God, and not on all the other
distractions. I used to facietiously suggest we'd save so much money
if we all just met in my garage for worship, but I wonder about
needing that Christian symbol, including steeple, to focus. JMK in
PA
I am using this passage with the Ephesians reading. The House of
God, the Church, is more than a building. We treat the building with
respect, because it represents the dwelling place of God just as we,
the Body of Christ. represent Christ's presence in the world. People
need to be able to find the gathering place of believers when they
arrive in a strange place. They(we) need to have an external focus
to start from... also, the traditions and rituals of worship are
connected to the "church." Speaking the gospel boldly is sometimes a
difficult thing to do! The building, the traditions, and the rituals
help to bring us closer to God. In this way, they are a "means of
grace." early thoughts.....
RevJanet in CNY
Hi all.
Another early thought, sparked by Desiree in ND: "our tendency to
imprison God within the church and forget about God as soon as we
leave the church."
I agree, having seen a congregation through a rather necessary
building rennovation a couple of years back. It was (and IS) a
constant struggle, keeping alive the vision of a God who is larger
than our buildings, not to mention our puny and self-centered
dreams, etc.
I am wondering, though, if we can address "our tendency to imprison
God within the Church [People!] and forget about God as soon as we
leave the Church [People!]." Might this reading be an opportunity to
address some of our "We've got it, they need it" attitudes that the
Church still clings to?
Might we be able to pray, with Solomon, that when other people pray,
even if they are simply praying "to whom it may concern" prayers,
that God will hear and answer, so that even "those others" will
discover the closesness of the God they don't yet know? Might we be
able to get off our high horses, and have OUR eyes openned to the
presence of God who is not limited to US, either?
Rick in Canada, eh?
One possible approach to this text lies in Solomon's question: "Will
God indeed dwell on the earth?" We have in the Christ-event the
answer to that question. In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday, Jesus
is the bread of heaven which has come down to earth. His disciples
confess that he is the Holy One of God. God will dwell on the earth
in Jesus - - and in the followers of Christ. God's purpose is to
dwell in the midst of God's children. Nearly the last verse of the
Bible declares, "See, the dwelling place(literally, "Tabernacle") of
God is among humanity" (Rev.21:3) As followers of Christ we make the
presence of God known in the world. Just some thoughts . . . CSS
Some of the places that are sacred for some may be offensive to
others ie. The young mother/father of three who escapes to the
washroom to restore her sanity. That washroom could be a sacred
place. Thinking of the attachments we have to buildings and how as
preachers we can often harang people. I recently working with a
congregation and arrived unanounced one sunday. As I entered the
church there was no mission statement or vision for the
congregation, just a big sign refering you to the Building Fund -- I
then listened to the preacher tell people not to be attached to the
building. The signals conflicted.
The location of the Temple at the heart of the community, the
location of the symbol of the presence of the Lord at the heart of
the temple. As a picture it moves us to those things that we hold at
the centre --
One of the histroric Churches in Scotland -- Dunblane Cathedral --
has a sign on its front lawn that read "Monument Open 10am daily" -
It seems that when we construct the building and make it too
important, we change the Christain faith from a radical movement to
a static "Monument"
From movement to monument.
HI y'all ! it is interesting that this scripture comes up as we
consecrate a building fund campaign, which i'm not sure we have ever
done before. i am leaning toward chronicles where David sort of
consecrates the building vision. It is a struggle. we really do need
space , not only for worship - although the dream is to build a
sanctuary, but for the choir to practice and kids to play and learn,
and for our people to come together. we have met for ten years in a
house withan added on all purpose room. one advantage is there are
people who have not been in church come in and feel comfortable. we
don't want to lose that feeling of helping others feel comfortable.
any way, struggling with a new thing.
thanks and blessings, rachel
Rev. JCY in PA: There is a good article by Walter Bruegemann on the
very line of thought you are following. Go to The Text This Week web
site, click on the RCL readings for this date & click on the I Kings
passage, you will find it listed there. I think you have to balance
this view, however, with the fact that the story relates that the
Shekinah glory of God (the cloud), filled the Temple. Even when we
are over-extravagant in our worship trappings, God is still present.
This is another example of the ready availability of God's grace to
all, a major point of this text. Good luck in your efforts in
ministry! Ken in WV
