The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
The prophecy returns to glory: "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary." Lebanon's glory was its magnificent cedars and timber (1 Kings 5:6-10), used in Solomon's temple. The three trees mentioned—berosh (fir/cypress), tidhar (pine/plane), te'ashur (box)—represent Lebanon's finest wood. These will "beautify the place of my sanctuary," meaning God's dwelling place. The verse concludes: "and I will make the place of my feet glorious." God's "footstool" refers to His throne, His dwelling, His presence (Psalm 99:5, 132:7, Lamentations 2:1). From a Reformed perspective, the physical temple typified Christ's body (John 2:19-21) and the church as God's spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't primarily architectural but spiritual—God's presence among His people. The New Jerusalem needs no temple because God's presence fills everything (Revelation 21:22). The choicest materials represent the best of creation consecrated to God's glory and believers being living stones in His spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5).
Historical Context
Solomon's temple incorporated Lebanon's finest cedars (1 Kings 5:6-10, 6:9-18), making it architecturally magnificent. The second temple, though rebuilt, lacked such glory (Ezra 3:12, Haggai 2:3). This prophecy promised restoration of glory, but not primarily through physical building. Jesus is the true temple (John 2:19-21), and believers corporately become God's dwelling through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't cedar but the Shekinah presence of God in Christ dwelling among His people.
Questions for Reflection
How does Christ fulfill the prophecy of beautifying God's sanctuary?
In what sense are believers the 'choice materials' that beautify God's spiritual temple?
What does it mean for God to make 'the place of His feet glorious' in the church age?
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy returns to glory: "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary." Lebanon's glory was its magnificent cedars and timber (1 Kings 5:6-10), used in Solomon's temple. The three trees mentioned—berosh (fir/cypress), tidhar (pine/plane), te'ashur (box)—represent Lebanon's finest wood. These will "beautify the place of my sanctuary," meaning God's dwelling place. The verse concludes: "and I will make the place of my feet glorious." God's "footstool" refers to His throne, His dwelling, His presence (Psalm 99:5, 132:7, Lamentations 2:1). From a Reformed perspective, the physical temple typified Christ's body (John 2:19-21) and the church as God's spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't primarily architectural but spiritual—God's presence among His people. The New Jerusalem needs no temple because God's presence fills everything (Revelation 21:22). The choicest materials represent the best of creation consecrated to God's glory and believers being living stones in His spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5).