DO NOT GIVE UP Meeting Together -'A House to God's Name'

'A House to God's Name'

The first instructions about a place to worship God are found in the Bible book of Exodus.  Jehovah God instructed his chosen people-the Israelites-to build "the tabernacle," or "the tent of meeting."  The ark of the covenant and various  sacred utensils were to be kept there.  "Jehovah's glory filled the tabernacle" upon its completion in 1512 B.C.E. That portable tent served as a central feature of God's arrangement for approach to him for over four centuries.  (Exodus, chapters 25-27; 40:33-38)  The Bible also refers to this tent as "the temple of Jehovah" and "the house of Jehovah." -1 Samuel 1:9, 24.

Later,when David was king in Jerusalem, he expressed a strong desire to build a permanent house to Jehovah's glory.  Since David had been a man of war, however, Jehovah told him: "You will not build a house to my name."  Instead, He chose David's son Solomon to build the temple.  (1 Chronicles 22:6-10)  Solomon inaugurated the temple in 1026 B.C.E., after a construction period lasting seven and a half years.  Jehovah approved of this building saying: "I have sanctified this house that you have built by putting my name there to time indefinite; and my eyes and my heart will certainly prove to be there always."  (1 Kings 9:3)  As long as the Israelites remain faithful, Jehovah would direct his favor toward that house. However, if they turned aside from what was right, Jehovah would remove his favor from that place, and the 'house itself would become heaps of ruins.' -1 Kings 9:4-9; 2 Chronicles  7:16, 19, 20.

In time, the Israelites did turn aside from true worship.  (2 Kings 21:1-5)  "So [Jehovah] brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who proceeded . . . to burn the house of the true God and pull down the wall of Jerusalem; and all its dwelling towers they burned with fire and also all its desirable articles, so as to cause ruin.  Furthermore, he carried off those remaining from the sword captive to Babylon, and they came to be servants to him and his sons."  According to the Bible, this happened in 607 B.C.E. -2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 52:12-14.

As foretold by the prophet Isaiah, God raised up King Cyrus of Persia to liberate the Jews from the power of Babylon.  (Isaiah 45:1)  Following a 70-  year exile, they returned to Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E., and the pure worship of God was restored.  Though  it was not as glorious as Solomon's temple, the structure lasted for nearly 600 years.  However, this temple also fell into disrepair because the Israelites neglected the worship of Jehovah.  When Jesus Christ appeared on the earthly scene, the temple was in the process of being progressively rebuilt by King Herod.  What was in the offing for this temple?

Next time: DO NOT GIVE UP Meeting Together -'Not a Stone Will Be Left Upon a Stone'

The Watchtower, 2002