Topical Bible: Fire: Sacred: Restored to the Temple

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of sacred fire holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. The sacred fire symbolizes God's presence, purity, and divine approval. Its restoration to the Temple is a pivotal event that underscores the renewal of worship and covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Background

The sacred fire originally appeared in the Tabernacle, as described in Leviticus 9:24, where "fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar." This divine fire was to be kept burning continually, as commanded in Leviticus 6:12-13: "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out."

Destruction and Restoration

The sacred fire's continuity was disrupted during periods of national apostasy and foreign invasion. The destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC marked a significant loss, including the extinguishing of the sacred fire. The absence of the Temple and its sacred elements symbolized a rupture in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel.

The restoration of the sacred fire is recorded during the rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel, following the Babylonian exile. This event is chronicled in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where the returning exiles, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and later Ezra, sought to reestablish proper worship and adherence to the Law. Although the specific moment of the fire's restoration is not detailed in the biblical text, the dedication of the Second Temple and the reinstitution of sacrifices imply the rekindling of the sacred fire.

Symbolism and Significance

The restoration of the sacred fire to the Temple signifies a renewal of divine favor and the reestablishment of Israel's identity as God's chosen people. It represents a return to covenant faithfulness and the centrality of worship in the life of the nation. The sacred fire serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the need for purity in worship, as well as the continuous presence of God among His people.

The sacred fire's restoration also prefigures the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is described as the true Temple (John 2:19-21) and the light of the world (John 8:12). In the New Testament, the imagery of fire is further associated with the Holy Spirit, who descended upon the apostles as tongues of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3), symbolizing the indwelling presence of God in the believer's life.

Conclusion

The restoration of the sacred fire to the Temple is a profound event in biblical history, reflecting themes of renewal, divine presence, and covenantal faithfulness. It underscores the importance of worship and the centrality of God's holiness in the life of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

With what virtuous Feelings the Fathers of Old Hid the Sacred ...
... it into the Persian king's heart to order the temple in Judea to be restored, and
the ... who on leaving their native soil had hidden the sacred fire to save ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii with what virtuous.htm

In his Temple
... old sanctified the mount, has now made sacred the temple ... for He is like a refiner's
fire, and like fullers ... They were restored soul and body, and they returned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Altar and Temple
... and of the tragical day when the fire was quenched ... The whole ritual was restored,
as the narrative tells with ... Rites long proscribed become very sacred, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

The New Temple and Its Worship
... encouraged and saved from forgetting the sacred motives and ... and their work shall
stand the trial by fire. ... Israel which He had so marvellously restored dwelt in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the new temple and its.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... were heard the voices of men in sacred office. ... The displeasure of His countenance
seemed like consuming fire. ... saw the sick healed, the blind restored to sight ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took ...
... difficulties they were under, that they set fire to the ... together, with two thousand
talents of sacred money ... All which he restored to their own citizens, and put ...
/.../chapter 7 how pompey had.htm

How Pompey when the Citizens of Jerusalem Shut their Gates against ...
... themselves down the precipices, or put fire to their ... the treasures two thousand talents
of sacred money: yet did ... the law required to God; and restored the high ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how pompey when.htm

Letter Xl. St. Ambrose Begs Theodosius to Listen to Him, as He ...
... were burnt by the Jews, and nothing was restored, nothing was ... Where were those laws
when they themselves set fire to the roofs of the sacred basilicas? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xl st ambrose begs.htm

Manasseh
... ambition to overturn and destroy the sacred edifice which ... Hezekiah had restored the
Temple worship and the Mosaic ... of the sun, and stars, and fire, its religion ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/manasseh.htm

"Not by Might, nor by Power"
... Shortly afterward the restored temple was dedicated. ... No fire from heaven descended
to consume the sacrifice upon ... Nazareth taught and healed in the sacred courts ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 48 not by might.htm