1Ki 8:54 And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
1Ki 8:55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
1Ki 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
1Ki 8:57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
1Ki 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
1Ki 8:59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
1Ki 8:60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
These last two verses of our previous study (1Ki 8:52-53) set the stage for the verses that follow in this study.
1Ki 8:52 That thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.
1Ki 8:53 For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.
The prayer being made to God was to be “open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee”. “Thy servant” is Solomon who represents Christ, and “thy people Israel” represents the body of Christ the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
When we look at the following verses in 1Kings 8:52-53, we can be assured of who it is speaking to and should be blessed by the message of hope God wants us to see as it applies to the elect of God today (1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12).
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
This section of Kings deeply assures us of Christ’s role as the one who intercedes on our behalf today, and it is after the temple is built and dedicated — which temple is a type of Christ’s body which has died and gone onto perfection (Joh 2:19) — that the assurance is given to the elect represented by the nation of Israel of how Solomon (Solomon, a type of Christ) is going to intercede and go before the Lord and confess before all the congregation, with his hands spread out to heaven, of how God is faithful (Deu 7:9).
Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
The verses we’ll look at in this study are very instructive and encouraging regarding how God was inspiring all these events for our sakes to confirm in our hearts today that if Christ could be raised from the earth, typified by Solomon who “arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven“, how much more will we be saved with our high priest who is now resurrected and become our hope of glory within (Rom 5:10, Col 1:27-29). That hope is clearly expressed by both the words and works (in type and shadow: Joh 14:11) of Solomon which poured forth on behalf of all of the nation of Israel [who symbolize God’s elect in this case]. Solomon’s prayer was for Israel and typical of those who were going to receive the word of God in this age and believe in God (Joh 17:9, Joh 17:20).
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me [1Ki 8:60].1Ki 8:60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
1Ki 8:54 And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
Arising from “the altar of the LORD” after making “an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD” where Solomon was “kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven” is all symbolic language of what Christ did as our high priest and wave offering while He was in His flesh (Heb 5:7-8, Exo 29:21-25).
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;Exo 29:21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons‘ garments with him [This verse (Exo 29:21) is speaking of Christ and His body the church being sanctified (Col 1:24, Rev 19:8)].
Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Exo 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecrationH4394 [Exo 28:30, Mal 3:17]:
Exo 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
consecration: H4394 millû’ mil-loo’ From H4390; a fulfilling (only in plural), that is, (literally) a setting (of gems), or (technically) consecration (also concretely a dedicatory sacrifice): – consecration, be set.
Total KJV occurrences: 15
Exo 29:23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:
Exo 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, [Heb 5:7] and in the hands of his sons; [Col 1:24] and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
Exo 29:25 And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the LORD: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD [Col 1:24, 1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17].Lev 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
1Ki 8:55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
1Ki 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
It is “with a loud voice” that we will hear the Lord after we have done all and stand (Eph 6:13-19), and it is from this position in Christ that we can bless “all the congregation of Israel” meaning all the body of Christ and ultimately all the world. The blessing God has given His people as typified by Solomon’s blessing of the congregation of Israel is to enter into the “rest” of Christ stated this way: “Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel” (Heb 4:11-12).
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
When we know and believe the exceedingly great and precious promises that God has made, and believe that he will carry them out for us, then we will see the meaning of this typical language in this section of Kings that explains that very reality that we have in Christ: “there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant“. A promise from God would not be exceedingly great and precious unless the One promising something to us could fulfill every part of that promise, which God, who cannot lie, has promised and announced to us through Christ who is also typified by Moses in verse 56 of our study tonight, who will do this (Heb 6:18, 2Pe 1:4, Php 2:12-13).
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
1Ki 8:57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
1Ki 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
To what end we have this relationship with God and Christ is described in John 17:3 where we learn that the Lord does not leave us if we are granted to abide in the truth or words of eternal life (Joh 6:68), keeping “his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers“. The goal is to not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds that we “may incline our hearts unto him” and lean not unto our own understanding (Rom 12:2, Pro 3:3-7).
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
1Ki 8:59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
1Ki 8:60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
As we saw from the beginning of the study, the prayer being made to God was to be “open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee”. “Thy servant” is Solomon who represents Christ, and “thy people Israel” represents the body of Christ the Israel of God (Gal 6:16), and this request was made in these verses in (1Ki 8:52-53).
This leads us into our last two verses which remind us that God is showing His faithfulness through us and not the other way around. The request of Solomon is a type and shadow of this prayer of Christ that was made for Peter who represents God’s elect (Luk 22:32). It is with that fervent prayer of Christ that our Father in heaven will “maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require“, knowing that it is Christ who intercedes for us and fulfills God’s will that we would otherwise not be able to accomplish (Php 2:12-13).
Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God and Christ are abiding in his people who are blessed to keep His words (Rev 1:3, Joh 14:20-23), and He is with us “day and night” as we are His workmanship which He is making into the image of Christ by forming the light within us and creating the darkness and making peace and raising storms or creating evil within us. All these things the LORD does so that one day “all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else” (Isa 45:7).
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
"His Branch" 