Symbolization: Sanctification and Cleansing the Temple

Original Entry Date 10/22/2014: Hezekiah becomes ruler over Jerusalem and he is a just man. Read 2 Chronicles 29:2 NIV:
2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.
Those who were before him turned from the ways of God:
2 Chronicles 29:6 NIV Our parents were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. -They turned their faces away from the Lord’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him.
*This here connects with us today, how we can so easily turn our faces from following the ways of God.
2 Chronicles 29:7 NIV 7 They also shut the doors of the portico and put out the lamps. They did not burn incense or present any burnt offerings at the sanctuary to the God of Israel.
*As we turn from the Way, our hearts close ( just as the doors were closed) and the Light of Christ is made dull (just as the lamps were put out). Prayer (burning of incense) and sacrifices of praise (burnt offerings) are no longer a thought.
God’s anger and judgement is brought upon them.
Shortly after becoming ruler of the land, Hezekiah knew it was time to clean the mess up and get back in alignment with God:
2 Chronicles 3-5 NIV: 3 In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them. 4 He brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side 5 and said: “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.
*Here is a lovely picture painted of the utter importance of taking an active role in the sanctification process.
Just as the priests consecrated themselves as well as the temple, we must be cleansed ourselves. The priests are commanded to go in and literally remove ALL defilement from the sanctuary (inner self). We must go in a remove that which corrupts our temples, whether it be bitterness, lust, hate, etc. To bring it out is to admit to it in repentance, laying it before God’s Throne of Grace. The report is made to the king that the Temple has been cleansed:
2 Chronicles 29:18-19 18 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and reported: “We have purified the entire temple of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the table for setting out the consecrated bread, with all its articles. 19 We have prepared and consecrated all the articles that King Ahaz removed in his unfaithfulness while he was king. They are now in front of the Lord’s altar.”
Here the articles and utensils that were removed or cast aside are representative of the Gifts of the Holy Spirt.