The temple was designed to be a house of Mercy. In Solomon’s dedication prayer, he requested that the sinner could look to the land, the city, the house to find forgiveness. David, Job, Daniel, the psalmist & others all understood this principle and looked to the temple for mercy again and again. The prodigal son also discovered his father’s house was a house of mercy. When we understand that, not only does the father run, but we also run, coming boldly to obtain mercy.