Jesus loved that name for the temple, having used it three times in as many Gospels, “the house of prayer.”
Matthew’s Account is typical: “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13
But finally, in God’s good time, the desire will become a reality. The promise a fulfillment!
During the … Millennium!
Isaiah 56:7, today’s Lesson Text, begins: “Even them will I (the Lord) bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in MY HOUSE OF PRAYER.” With the pronoun “them” indicating some of the most unlikely of all people … vile (but now repenting) gentiles. For example. “sons of strangers” and “eunuchs,” folks previously barred from the temple! One could classify them the “whosoever wills” of that coming glorious Kingdom Age!
The Temple, the “house of prayer” … we are just here learning … will also become a “house of joy!” (Because the Bridegroom has returned! Jesus in Mark 2:19 … “And He said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”)
Amazing!
Back to Isaiah 56:7, its middle clause … “Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar.” Now we’ve seen that these people (new converts one might call them) are worshipping! “Burnt Offerings,” picturing Jesus dying on the Cross to glorify His Father … and “sacrifices,” blood atonement symbolizing Jesus as our sin Payment! These gifts of adoration being “accepted“ by our Lord … translating “ratzson” which means “bringing delight, pleasure” to God!
Then finally … “For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people,” where the emphasis now may be on the descriptive term “all people” as much as “prayer!”
“Red and yellow and black and white … they’re all precious in His Sight,” remember the song?
The Text today also equates “burnt offerings” and “sacrifices” with “prayer” I think.
And this specific Hebrew noun for “prayer” is one which emphasizes “intercession!” (Intervention, entreaty, supplication.) Still … “needs” being met by the One we will all love by then, during the Millennium!
Filthy, Jew-hating enemies and other ultra-wicked people … gone! With even Satan being imprisoned!
And the earth miraculously having become “paradise” once again. A place where the whole planet has been changed … “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14
Yes, Glory to God!
Dear Lord … “Hasten the Day” we pray.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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