Nougat 16

Have you ever been to an old school block party? If my memory serves me correctly, a block party lasted for days, or several weekends with the blessing of the entire street (block). What made it even more special was that everyone helped to make it a reality. So no one complained. What is even more interesting is that block parties aren’t new.

If we think about the Feast of Shelters, we realise that it was a week-long block party for the entire kingdom of Israel. The difference is, theirs was all for, and all about YHWH. Modern block parties can even be fundraisers. Solomon planned the Temple dedication so that it coincided with Sukkoth, the Festival of Shelters, so the people had a grand praise party. Let’s learn more as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat

1 Kings 8:65 CEVDCI

[65] Solomon and the huge crowd celebrated the Festival of Shelters at the temple for seven days. There were people from as far away as the Egyptian Gorge in the south and Lebo-Hamath in the north.

Praise God in the Sanctuary

For King Solomon, the Temple was the true seat of power in the kingdom he inherited. At that point in his life, he had not amassed wives, wisdom, nor wealth beyond measure. He was just grateful to have completed the construction of God’s dwelling place in a manner that matched his deep faith in God. His father David was uncomfortable with having a lavish palace, while YHWH resided in a tent, and Solomon was tasked with ensuring that the earthly house of the Lord matched the glory of YHWH.

Self-Check

If our bodies currently house YHWH as the new temple, are we lavishing our all to match God’s glory?

Digging Deeper

Just imagine, a praise marathon for either seven or fourteen days, with no one worrying about missing work, because everyone is part of the praise party! That’s what the Feast of Shelters (Sukkoth) at the dedication of the Temple amounted to. They most likely spent 7 days dedicating the Temple, where they feasted and praised for the duration. This was followed by the 7- days of Sukkoth. And YHWH was their sole guest and guest of honour. This is a reminder that YHWH deserves our total praise and that our worship belongs only to the Triune God. No justification, no exceptions, no hesitation. Every praise is due our God.

The entire nation was represented at the festival. People from the furthest border areas were present, affirming that this block party was for all. Rich, poor, men, women, children – they were all united in worshipping God in the temple. It was entirely a national event. Not solely for the priests, not solely for the king, but for everyone.

Siblings, God’s Spirit is moving all over the world. We have erected temples everywhere, diversifying the centrality of Jerusalem as the place to worship YHWH. Solomon’s temple was destroyed, and another was built, and it too, was destroyed. The temples in which we gather today remind us of the call to corporate praise. When we gather in the temple for worship, do we make room for everyone to participate? Can those on the borders join us to kneel before the Lord our Maker?

Even as we worship in the beautiful temples of our time let’s remember …

God is less concerned about a physical building in which to dwell. God is far more interested in living in our hearts. And when our hearts house the living God, it is possible to have endless praise parties. We truly can praise God in the sanctuary as members of the household of faith. And this party continues in the daily, ordinary rhythms of life. The choice is ours – will we host an eternal block party for our God in the temple of our hearts?

Point to Ponder

What kind of work is needed on our temple to keep the praise going?

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May all we seek be found in Christ