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2 Chronicles Chapter 4 (ESV)
11 Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of God: 12 the two pillars, the bowls, and the two capitals on the top of the pillars; and the two latticeworks to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; 13 and the 400 pomegranates for the two latticeworks, two rows of pomegranates for each latticework, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars. 14 He made the stands also, and the basins on the stands, 15 and the one sea, and the twelve oxen underneath it. 16 The pots, the shovels, the forks, and all the equipment for these Huram-abi made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the Lord. 17 In the plain of the Jordan the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. 18 Solomon made all these things in great quantities, for the weight of the bronze was not sought.
REFLECTION:
We are not familiar with the pots, shovels, and the basins that were made for worship in the temple in ancient times. Today the utensils used for worship are changed but the purpose of worship is still the same at each point in history – to give honour and praises to God. We should never emphasize the worship utensils more than the worship to God. Reflect on what equipment and technique we use for worship today? Do these things really help us in worshipping God?
God gave clear instructions on making the utensils in the temple and the skilled workers followed the instructions carefully resulting in great effect. Although we have our own creativity and opinion, we must not disobey God’s will. If we want our spiritual life to grow, we need to learn from the skilled workers in the temple who followed God’s instructions meticulously. Reflect on whether we totally obey God’s will when we work according to God’s command.
PRAYER:
Ask God to help you be alert in your church and daily worship that no matter what worship style is adopted, don’t forget the target and focus of worship is God! Ask God to give you wisdom and humility so that you could understand and obey God’s will in your ministries.
Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+003
2 Chronicles Chapter 3 (ESV)
1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2 He began to build in the second month of the fourth year of his reign. 3 These are Solomon’s measurements for building the house of God: the length, in cubits of the old standard, was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. 4 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house, and its height was 120 cubits. He overlaid it on the inside with pure gold. 5 The nave he lined with cypress and covered it with fine gold and made palms and chains on it. 6 He adorned the house with settings of precious stones. The gold was gold of Parvaim. 7 So he lined the house with gold—its beams, its thresholds, its walls, and its doors—and he carved cherubim on the walls.
8 And he made the Most Holy Place. Its length, corresponding to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth was twenty cubits. He overlaid it with 600 talents of fine gold. 9 The weight of gold for the nails was fifty shekels. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
REFLECTION:
Solomon built a permanent temple on Mount Moriah to replace the tabernacle at Gibeon which had followed the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. On Mount Moriah, God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac as a sacrifice. The land was originally a threshing floor and David bought it to build an altar. Jesus Christ once said, “the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father… the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (Jn. 4:21-23). According to Jesus’ saying, reflect on where the temple should be built today?
Why did Solomon build and decorate the temple in glorious splendor? Although no one could build a dwelling place that is worthy of God, Solomon wanted the temple to have the most honoured design. The process of construction and the work of the skilled worker is itself an act of worship. Although people could encounter God and pray to God in a simple church, it is not wrong to build a beautiful worship place. Reflect on what principle Solomon employed in justifying the large cost in building the temple? What choices we have to make in building our church building today?
PRAYER:
Quiet before God with a fearful heart. Express your deepest thank and praise to God in spirit and in truth. Ask the Holy Spirit of truth to guide you and give you wisdom so that you can see the grace of God in your daily life; and that everything you do will become actions that worship and glorify God.
Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+002
2 Chronicles Chapter 2 (ESV)
1 Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the Lord, and a royal palace for himself. 2 And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them. 3 And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: “As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me. 4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the Lord our God, as ordained forever for Israel. 5 The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6 But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? 7 So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided. 8 Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And my servants will be with your servants, 9 to prepare timber for me in abundance, for the house I am to build will be great and wonderful. 10 I will give for your servants, the woodsmen who cut timber, 20,000 cors of crushed wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil.”
REFLECTION:
We should try our best to prepare a comfortable place for worship as a witness for God’s glory. At the same time, we must know that God is greater than any building and He will not be limited to a man-made temple or environment. Therefore, we should not only value the worship venue but more importantly emphasize worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Worship should be the core of our Christian life. Reflect on how much time and effort we spend on worshipping God today?
Why did Solomon recruit the skilled workers from other countries? It was because although the Israelites were good at agriculture, they did not know much about metallurgy hence Solomon has to import skills from abroad. God allows us to use human expertise to accomplish His mission. He gives talent and gifts to Christians and non-Christians, this is God’s Common Grace. When we work together with non-Christians, we should know that God gives people talents according to His will. We should be like Solomon who valued their professional skills, more importantly we should find an opportunity to share God’s salvation with them. Reflect what we should be mindful of when we co-work with non-Christians.
PRAYER:
Come before God with a reverent heart. Meditate on God’s greatness and omnipotence and praise Him. Give thanks to God for saving you, guiding you and giving you the blessing and gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8). Thank God for giving you various gifts and talents. Commit yourself to God that you are willing to serve Him with your gifts and talents throughout your life.
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2 Chronicles
Introduction
In the fifth century BC, many Judeans were returning from exile to the southern part of the land of Israel. They faced great difficulties: their capital city and temple had been destroyed, foreigners had moved in, and they were no longer ruled by their own king. But the books of Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah insist that God’s people can still fulfill his purpose. They must form a unique society centered on the worship of God in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. (These books are really one long book, telling a continuous story; one can see, for example, how the end of 2 Chronicles overlaps with the beginning of Ezra.)
The book presents a sweeping chronicle of Israel’s history, beginning with a long genealogy or ancestor list. Going all the way back to Adam, it situates the people of Israel among the nations and reminds them of their calling. Special attention is given to Judah, ancestor of the royal line of David, and to Levi, ancestor of the priests and temple attendants.
The second main part describes the kings who ruled in Jerusalem down to the time of the exile. David receives more attention than others, but many details of his life told elsewhere are left out. The focus is on his military campaigns and his elaborate plans for the temple in Jerusalem. The reason is clear when we see that David was not permitted to build the temple because he was a warrior. God wanted a man of peace to build the place where all nations would come to pray. The honor therefore fell to David’s son Solomon. More space is devoted to him than to any king besides David, describing his construction of the temple and the splendors of his reign.
The final part of the book relates the experiences of the returned exiles. The memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, leaders of the second generation of returned Judeans, are incorporated into the history. These leaders helped create a distinct community by forbidding intermarriage with the surrounding peoples, and they directed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Included here is a description of a great covenant renewal ceremony led by Ezra and Nehemiah.
An important theme of the entire history—which can appropriately be called a temple history—is that pure worship is offered on God’s terms, not ours. God has chosen Israel to welcome the nations into true worship. Through all the ups and downs of history he is working to bring this purpose to fulfillment.
6 And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” 8 And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel.
REFLECTION:
Intelligence and wisdom are different. Wisdom is the insight and discernment to make the right decision while intelligence (or knowledge) is the skill to deal with the daily work. King Solomon used the wisdom he asked from God not only to build the temple according to David’s plan but also to build a stable economic foundation for the country. Today many people want to be smart but lack great wisdom. Reflect what kind of wisdom God expect you to have in living your life today?
God’s promise to Solomon: “Ask what I shall give you” (1:7) will uplift our heart. Solomon put the needs of the people first. He asked for wisdom instead of treasures for he knew that the most important treasure for a king is wisdom. Later Solomon wrote in Proverbs “Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Prov. 3:15). God gave Solomon wisdom in former times and the same God will willingly give us wisdom nowadays. Imagine if God said to you what he said to Solomon in verse 7, how would you reply?
Solomon could ask for anything but he only asked God for wisdom to govern the people. God was pleased with his choice of priorities and also give him treasures, abundances and honour. Jesus also talked about priority in life. If we seek God first, all the things we need shall be added unto us. His promise does not mean that we will be as rich as Solomon but the wisdom He gives will help us lead a life that honours Him when we seek God first. Do you believe that if you seek God first then all the things you need shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:33, Lk. 12:31)?
PRAYER:
Come before God humbly and ask God to give you wisdom so that you will understand the true place of wealth and honour in God’s Kingdom. Ask God to give you greater faith and how you can seek God first in your life.
Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Chronicles+029
1 Chronicles Chapter 29 (ESV)
10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”
REFLECTION:
David contrasted eternal unchanging nature of God versus the flying away life of human. Nothing can last forever except God’s unchanging character. The things that we are most proud of will be vanished before God one day. What else we could rely on? Only a loving relationship with God has eternal value. His love never ends. No one can take away His love for us. Reflect “Our days on the earth are like a shadow …” (15). How will I use my time? How will I walk my life journey in order to have eternal value?
The meaning of “a whole heart” (19) is to be wholly holy to the Lord. This is David’s hope for Solomon – desire to serve God more than anything else. Do you feel that you lack a desire for God? Difficult to obey God and follow His will? God can give you a heart of complete dedication. When you believe in Jesus Christ, this aspiration is already in your heart. Paul said, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13). Do I want to ask God for a whole heart so that I can serve Him faithfully and follow His commandments?
PRAYER:
Ask God to examine you and give you a good conscience and a sincere faith so that God will accept your service. Ask God to give you wisdom to manage your time well so that God can use your life effectively for eternal value.
