Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple of God, and, the Word says, “repaired them.”
Doors in the Bible take on two meanings - our mind/heart, and our recognition that it is through Christ that we enter the presence of a mighty God:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep...I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:7, 9).
You may ask, how do I open my heart to the Lord when it has been so wounded? By choosing to respond to God’s love and giving Him your will:
Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in the life. By yielding up the will to Christ, we ally ourselves with divine power. We receive strength from above to hold us steadfast (Ellen G White, Ministry of Healing, p. 161).
Next, Hezekiah directed the priests and Levites to identify and “carry away the filthiness of out the holy place.”
You might be tempted to say, 'what filthiness? I’m not the one with the addiction, was unfaithful, betrayed trust!' Forgiveness has a way of poisoning our bodies with evil surmising, harsh words, withholding our affections, criticism, complaining, fault-finding, judgment, and yes, even condemnation. What did David say?
“...For they speak against Thee wickedly, and thine enemies take Thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate Thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:20-24).
We must be willing to acknowledge that we haven’t been perfect in all our ways before the Lord. Yes, we may want to blame others for our behavior, but Christ will always be able to say, 'My grace is sufficient. I have not put on you more than you can bear.'
Christ bids us bring before Him all the uncleanness that we brought in His temple. Bring it out and set it 'in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.' Now, this is a little frightening because to place our uncleanness in 'the courtyard' represent exposure. This is where I got stuck for seven years. I was ashamed of the condition of my marriage and what had happened to my husband. I didn’t want anyone to know what he was doing or going through. This website represents my courtyard. I don’t know what your courtyard will be. I do highly recommend that you make certain that God is leading you to what needs to be shared with others. Some people can’t handle our stuff… So, walk carefully here.
What was the result of the temple being closed for so many years? The lamp, which represents the Holy Spirit had gone out. No intercessory prayers were being offered on behalf of the nation church, and the sacrificial system had come to a halt.
What message did this send to the people? Christ's atoning death meant nothing. This was the object lesson portrayed daily...annually, in the sanctuary service...
Has your light gone out? Have you been interceding on behalf of your loved one? Has Christ's atoning sacrifice been your sustaining grace?
If so, do what Hezekiah did...
Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us (2 Chronicles 29:10).
Sanctify yourself...stand apart... Dare to be restored.
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