It is always exciting for me to discover new connections in the Bible. The God who designed this universe has also crafted the remarkable tapestry of history, revealing His handiwork throughout. History is not filled with what some might mistakenly call coincidences, but signposts directing us to what God later did and even causes us to look expectantly to God for the future.
The city of Jerusalem in Israel, situated on ancient Mt. Moriah, is an amazing biblical site. Probably one of the most famous instances regarding the site is it is the location Abraham took his beloved son Isaac at the command of the LORD to present him as a burnt offering. Abraham believed the promises of God to make of him a great nation yet did not hesitate to do what God commanded him. He laid the wood in order, bound his son, and took the knife to slay Isaac. Genesis 22:11-12 says, "But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." 12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw a ram caught in a thicket, and offered the ram as a sacrifice to the LORD on Mt. Moriah.
Fast forward about 860 years when King Solomon began to build the Temple in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 3:1 reads, "Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." Not only is the location of the temple on Mt. Moriah the place where Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed, but it is place where King David saw the angel of the LORD in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David had sinned in the numbering of the people of Israel and did not take the required ransom (Ex. 30:12). God caused an ensuing plague to kill 70,000 men in Israel. 2 Samuel 24:16 tells us, "And when the angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." King David purchased the threshing floor and offered burnt sacrifices to God, and this is the exact place where the Temple was built.
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem today is revered by many as the "foundation stone" of creation, and it is interesting these two historical events occurred there. The name "Jerusalem" means "city of peace," and in both instances God commanded for the lives of people be spared. Abraham was told to put down the knife; the angel of the LORD was commanded to sheath his sword. Both of the occasions ended with sacrifices being offered to God in worship, to God who is our Peace. Looking ahead, this is the place foretold by scripture that Jesus Christ will return with a sword to judge the world in righteousness and in Jerusalem He will establish His throne. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God provided as an offering for sin, and in due time the risen LORD will be revealed to all in glory. Out of His mouth will come a sharp sword to smite unbelieving nations, and He will not spare or pity in that notable Day. Unless God is gracious all would surely be consumed.
When Solomon built the Temple there were two notable pillars mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:17: "Then he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left; he called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin, and the name of the one on the left Boaz." The meanings of these names are insightful: "He shall establish" and "In it is strength." Those great pillars were eventually torn down by Babylonian invaders, but the Word of God is established and will endure forever. The Messiah promised by God has established a New Covenant and shall establish His kingdom on earth, and in Him is strength. It is fitting the Prince of Peace should reign in Jerusalem, the city of peace, and all will bow the knee before Him. Our God is one of justice and judgment, but also of restraint. He is greatly to be feared yet gracious, longsuffering, and merciful. When God says, "It is enough," He will see it done and all will behold Him.
The city of Jerusalem in Israel, situated on ancient Mt. Moriah, is an amazing biblical site. Probably one of the most famous instances regarding the site is it is the location Abraham took his beloved son Isaac at the command of the LORD to present him as a burnt offering. Abraham believed the promises of God to make of him a great nation yet did not hesitate to do what God commanded him. He laid the wood in order, bound his son, and took the knife to slay Isaac. Genesis 22:11-12 says, "But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." 12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw a ram caught in a thicket, and offered the ram as a sacrifice to the LORD on Mt. Moriah.
Fast forward about 860 years when King Solomon began to build the Temple in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 3:1 reads, "Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." Not only is the location of the temple on Mt. Moriah the place where Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed, but it is place where King David saw the angel of the LORD in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David had sinned in the numbering of the people of Israel and did not take the required ransom (Ex. 30:12). God caused an ensuing plague to kill 70,000 men in Israel. 2 Samuel 24:16 tells us, "And when the angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." King David purchased the threshing floor and offered burnt sacrifices to God, and this is the exact place where the Temple was built.
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem today is revered by many as the "foundation stone" of creation, and it is interesting these two historical events occurred there. The name "Jerusalem" means "city of peace," and in both instances God commanded for the lives of people be spared. Abraham was told to put down the knife; the angel of the LORD was commanded to sheath his sword. Both of the occasions ended with sacrifices being offered to God in worship, to God who is our Peace. Looking ahead, this is the place foretold by scripture that Jesus Christ will return with a sword to judge the world in righteousness and in Jerusalem He will establish His throne. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God provided as an offering for sin, and in due time the risen LORD will be revealed to all in glory. Out of His mouth will come a sharp sword to smite unbelieving nations, and He will not spare or pity in that notable Day. Unless God is gracious all would surely be consumed.
When Solomon built the Temple there were two notable pillars mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:17: "Then he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left; he called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin, and the name of the one on the left Boaz." The meanings of these names are insightful: "He shall establish" and "In it is strength." Those great pillars were eventually torn down by Babylonian invaders, but the Word of God is established and will endure forever. The Messiah promised by God has established a New Covenant and shall establish His kingdom on earth, and in Him is strength. It is fitting the Prince of Peace should reign in Jerusalem, the city of peace, and all will bow the knee before Him. Our God is one of justice and judgment, but also of restraint. He is greatly to be feared yet gracious, longsuffering, and merciful. When God says, "It is enough," He will see it done and all will behold Him.
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