May the mumbling commence!
And where does the Spirit of the Lord choose to rest? Where is the true temple of the Lord? Read from the final chapter of Isaiah:
This is what the Lord says:
"Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?" declares the Lord.
"This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word.
But whoever sacrifices a bull
is like one who kills a man,
and whoever offers a lamb,
like one who breaks a dog's neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
is like one who presents pig's blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense,
like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,
and their souls delight in their abominations;
so I also will choose harsh treatment for them
and will bring upon them what they dread.
For when I called, no one answered,
when I spoke, no one listened.
They did evil in my sight
and chose what displeases me." (66:1-4)
The temple of the Lord stands firmly in the one who is humble and contrite in spirit – in one who trembles at the Word of the Lord. The true temple of the Lord is not made of wood and stone and precious metals and precious stones. The temple of the Lord is constructed of a people who humble themselves unto the Lord, patiently seek out His calling, and remain always attentive to His calling. The Lord lives in the hearts of those transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Without this kind of heart, all the sacrifices and offerings and memorials are useless. Without this kind of heart, sermons and hymns and prayers are without effect. Obedience is always better than sacrifice! Read about the beginning of the reign of Manasseh from 2 Kings Chapter 21:
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother's name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, "In Jerusalem I will put my Name." In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger.
He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the Lord had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. I will not again make the feet of the Israelites wander from the land I gave their forefathers, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them." But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. (Verses 1-9)
King Manasseh led the people into sin, and the Lord forsook them as His temple. Israel had become more evil than the nations the Lord used them to drive out! God humbled Manasseh before the King of Assyria, and Manasseh responded in humility – even such an evil king was given another chance! Manasseh undid much of the evil he had done (2 Chronicles 33:10-16).
Lord, prepare us to be your sanctuary!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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