Joy – in the extreme

There’s another great story from the Old Testament: Solomon, King of Israel and son of David, finishes building the temple of the Lord – this magnificently huge and beautiful structure. (As a side note, when Ezra rebuilt the temple, those who had seen Solomon’s now destroyed temple wept because it couldn’t compare in size, scale or beauty. In fact, read that story and compare it to the one we’re talking about today.)

On the day of dedication (think opening day for every sports team at once and in the same place…) everybody shows up from all over Israel. The Bible literally says “all of the men of Israel,” which means men, women, children, servants, plus tourists and foreigners there for the party. And they sacrifice animals, sheep and cattle, to the Lord which in our current context sounds barbaric and gross, but then was a symbol of joy, celebration, hope, and peace with God and with others. Again the Bible says that “so many sheep and cattle were sacrificed that they could not be recorded or counted.”

Joy – in the extreme.

And that’s just the drum roll. Because now, the Bible says, the ark of the covenant, the physical sign of God’s presence and favor with His people, the reminder of all that God required and all that He promised to do and be for His people, the ark of the Lord was carried through the crowd, up the steps, and into the temple!

And the crowd goes wild.

The people begin to sing “as with one voice” – HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER! (Which is even easier to shout in Hebrew: Towb Chessed Olam! Towb Chessed Olam! TOWB CHESSED OLAM!!!) Literally: Goodness and Mercy Forever!

It’s at this point that God shows up. “The temple was filled with a cloud.” God joins the party: Towb Chessed Olam!

And it’s a show stopper – literally. “The priest were not able to perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” Towb Chessed Olam!

I think there is a valuable lesson in this story, be joyful. Sing for joy. Let gladness and joy overtake you. Shout for joy.

As we continue to “sing to the Lord a new song,” let us bend our hearts and voices with songs of joy to the Lord: TOWB CHESSED OLAM!!!

~ by sholander on September 21, 2009.