Greetings everyone,
Situations beyond my control have left me unable to have time to answer posts in the past day or so.. but i've followed the discussion with interest.
Naaji, I know which passages you are referring to I think when you say that the Jews face Jerusaleum to pray. If I am not mistaken, that is found in Daniel 6. The Jews had been taken into exile out of Israel and were now in Babyon.
Daniel had been put into a position of authority by the previous king, out of respect for his ability to interpret Nebuchudnezzers dreams, something the other astrologers and magicians had been unable to do. Miracles had happened ( the three young men had been spared in the firey furnance ..and a vision of a 4th man seen in that same furnace who "looked like the sons of god".. most people believe this to a Theophany.. appearance of God in human form, which is seen often in the Old Testament".. ie Jesus before His human birth appeared as a man in many OT passages).
Now the new King Dairus, under the influence of some of his officials, put out a decree that anyone who prayed to any god or man during the next 30 days would be thrown in the lions den.
Immediately the decree was put out.. Daniel went straight to his room, where the windows "opened to Jerusalem" and prayed three times a day, giving thanks to His God, just as He had done before".
Later Dairus, has no choice, despite having deep respect for Daniel, has to throw him in the Lions Den. Daniel is of course saved and God is glorified once again.
Now why did Daniel fact Jerusaleum to pray? Perhaps a good place to find the answer for this apart from the historical significance.. it was the place of hope.. it was the capital city and represtentative of home for the Jews in exile, and it was the place to focus worship... John 4 states the woman of Samaria saying "our Fathers worshipped on this mountain ( where Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice) and you Jews claim that place we must worship is in Jerusalem" She was of course pointing to the Temple.
Notice though, Jesus's answer to her.. " Believe me woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain or in Jerusalem. .. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the father in spirit and in truth."
Now why did God give Solomon directions on how to build the Temple? The Temple was to be symbol of God's presence on earth. David had long wanted.. yearned to build the temple.. " as a place of rest for the Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God's covenat with man and of His presence on the earth amongst men), for the foot stall of our God". God told David that He would not be the one to build the Temple, but that His son Solomon would.
Now look in 2 Chronicles 6 During His prayer of dediction , Solomon reminds God of His promise to David, that David's kingom would be forever established. This sounds like a human king.. but note in vs 18 what Solomon asks
"WILL GOD REALLY DWELL ON EARTH AMONG MEN" The entire chapter then discusses the role of the Temple, the way it will be a symbol of God's presence on the earth to all nations (not just the jews) and it will be a place where they would find forgiveness for sins and hope.
Vs 38 is prophetic... "and when they are given over to an ememy who takes them captive to a land faraway and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive and repent and plead..... and pray towards that city you have chosen and to the temple that I have built to your Name, then hear their pleas, uphold their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you.
Daniel knowing the scriptures was obedient to this and faced Jerusalem to pray. It was the Temple.. the dwelling place of God on earth and represented His presence, and His forgiveness and His peace.
Jesus told the woman at the Well that oneday there would be no need to face Jerusalem because oneday the true worshippers of God would worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The woman immediately knew he was speaking of the long awaited Messiah that all Jews waited for and that when he came, he would explain it all clearly. Jesus then asserts.. " I who speak to you am he".
Once Jesus.. the God-Man came to earth there is no longer a need for the Temple ... His death on the cross finished the need for the elaborate sacrificial system that was set up by God inorder to help the Jews know a sense of hope for the forgiveness of their sins. Jesus Himself, by His death on the cross became the sacrifice for us.
I'm quoting now from Hebrews... which was written to the Jews to explain OT prophecy fulfilled in Christ... most believe Paul was given this book to write.. but it has never been proven ( I personally believe it was) and chapters 9 and 10 are a must read to show how in Christ, all the demands of the Temple worship and the system of sacrifice are finished once and for all.