Sun.’s Devo - The Feast of Tabernacles -

Read: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1
Every main event in the Bible is set around one of the feasts. Solomon brought up the ark to the temple on the feast of Tabernacles. This is the feast that commemorates the children of Israel living in tents during the wanderings in the wilderness. They were living in hopes of a permanent home. The Feast of Tabernacles represents our heavenly home in the future and our present walk in God’s presence here on earth.
The ark was brought into the oracle of the temple which means the innermost part. That is where God wants to rule - in our innermost part. The only thing in this room that the ark was put was the ark itself and the two tablets of stone that the law was written on. The only thing that needs to be in our heart is the presence of the Lord and the Word. When the priests came out from the holy place, the glory of God filled the house. When we come out of our secret place with the Lord we will be filled with the glory of God.
God made sure everyone knew that this house Solomon had built would not be able to contain him. The heaven and heaven of heavens would not be able to contain him. Because it was in David’s heart to build God a house, he let him and promised to bless it with his name. This would be the place the people could pray in and ask for forgiveness.
In Acts, Stephen is at the end of his speech. He has come to the part where he personalizes his speech and points the finger at them. He calls them stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. He told them they always resist the Holy Ghost just like their fathers did. He accused them of killing the prophets and the Messiah. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when he told them he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on his right hand. They took him out of the city and stoned him. They threw his clothes at the feet of Saul. It was as if God was laying Stephen’s mantle for Saul to pick up.