"Isaiah 48:18 " O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea;"
Isaiah looks beyond the captivity to the calling out of the remnant. Babylon and the Chaldeans are about to be destroyed and in a move of grace (for Israel is still rebellious) the Lord brings them out.
"from the time that it was, there am I"
The Lord speaks of Israel still claiming to be of the holy city but not acting like it.
v2""For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name. but verse one declares "...but not in truth, nor in righteousness."
To further convince them, the Lord tells them that he has told them things that would happen before they happened. He says from the start I told you the truth and didn't hid things from you.
v6 "Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them."
Nevertheless, the Lord still loves Israel and will rescue them again. If he cannot do it for their obedience He will do it for his own name's sake.
v9-11 " For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it; for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another."
Israel could have followed the commandments told Moses and again David and Solomon, and flourished in their new land. They chose idols and suffered chastisement for it. Yet the Lord will still fulfill his promise (for His name's sake) and as He often said for his servant David's sake.
v20 "Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob."
Showing posts with label Solomon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solomon. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Search for Wisdom Job 28
Job 28:27-28 "Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
We have so far in the conversations discussed whether or not the trials of Job are because of wickedness. The friends think so. Job declares his righteousness and rather expresses that it is God's business and He can do as he wishes.
Now we hear Job talking about the difficulty of finding wisdom and then ends with the above verses. After all the discussion, it all comes down to fearing God.
Also in this chapter we get a lesson in minerals and some geography.
We find that silver runs in a vein and that gold must be refined: v1 "Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they refine it."
Then there is iron and brass. v2 "Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone."
Job gives credit to the Lord as the one who controls everything.
Job even knew of the fire under the earth: v5 "As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; and under it is turned up as it were fire."
If you are looking for precious stones, you should know this: v6 "The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold."
Then the question "V12 "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? "
Verse 15 tells us that wisdom cannot be bought for no price can be put on it: V15 "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof."
We know where to find all sorts of precious metals and jewels and they can be used to purchase many things but wisdom is not one of them. Job again asked the question:
v20 "Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?"
Now Job tells us the place to find wisdom. It is with the one who measures the wind and the water of the sea. Sometimes you just got to go to the source to get the right answer.
v23 "God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof."
When we consider, as Job did, that God is the maker of all that is, He controls the wind and the waves, He tells the elements to stay in their boundaries. It is only the sensible thing to do to fear the One who made it all and can change it as He sees fit.
So we have the conclusion: v28 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
I Kings 4:20 "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore."
Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endureth forever."
Job speaks of wisdom and understanding.
Previous post
We have so far in the conversations discussed whether or not the trials of Job are because of wickedness. The friends think so. Job declares his righteousness and rather expresses that it is God's business and He can do as he wishes.
Now we hear Job talking about the difficulty of finding wisdom and then ends with the above verses. After all the discussion, it all comes down to fearing God.
Also in this chapter we get a lesson in minerals and some geography.
We find that silver runs in a vein and that gold must be refined: v1 "Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they refine it."
Then there is iron and brass. v2 "Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone."
Job gives credit to the Lord as the one who controls everything.
Job even knew of the fire under the earth: v5 "As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; and under it is turned up as it were fire."
If you are looking for precious stones, you should know this: v6 "The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold."
Then the question "V12 "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? "
Verse 15 tells us that wisdom cannot be bought for no price can be put on it: V15 "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof."
We know where to find all sorts of precious metals and jewels and they can be used to purchase many things but wisdom is not one of them. Job again asked the question:
v20 "Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?"
Now Job tells us the place to find wisdom. It is with the one who measures the wind and the water of the sea. Sometimes you just got to go to the source to get the right answer.
v23 "God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof."
When we consider, as Job did, that God is the maker of all that is, He controls the wind and the waves, He tells the elements to stay in their boundaries. It is only the sensible thing to do to fear the One who made it all and can change it as He sees fit.
So we have the conclusion: v28 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
I Kings 4:20 "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore."
Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endureth forever."
Job speaks of wisdom and understanding.
Previous post
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Dedication of Wall Nehemiah 12
Nehemiah 12:47 "And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron."
We again see a list of names. I think this chapter is retro and is a summary of the people and the events of the time.
The book of Ezra covers about 80 years and Nehemiah covers about 11 years. Nehemiah came up after Ezra (14 years)and set things in order. I do not quite get the time frame of Zerubbabel but it seems he was the strong man of the people who returned.
In reading these books we should do some remembering. Israel was redeemed out of Egypt as slaves. The wondered in the wilderness where they were taught to trust in the one true God and learned the law there. They rose to the greatest nation on earth under David and Solomon. They turned from God and worshipped idols and as a result were taken away into captivity. They were granted permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild it. Most of the people choose to stay in Babylon and Assyria because they prospered there. A remnant, with a heart for God, came back and did the rebuilding of Jerusalem. These books are their stories.
v27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
It is a flashback to the procedures set up by David to praise the LORD. The people were divided into two groups and they climbed the steps above David's house and joined at the top to dedicate the wall.
v43 "Also that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off."
The chapter places emphasis on the singers set up by David and Solomon, Asaph was chief in the old days. His descendants carry on the talent for the LORD. Looking in the book of Psalms, you will see the name of Asaph on many of the chapters.
v46 "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."
So to some degree we see now the shame taken away. The destroyed city of Jerusalem represented the nation Israel and the shame they bore for turning from the LORD. It is a physical sign of their spiritual revival.
Next we have the last chapter of Nehemiah.
Malachi 1:5 "And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel."
Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
Who will live in Jerusalem?
We again see a list of names. I think this chapter is retro and is a summary of the people and the events of the time.
The book of Ezra covers about 80 years and Nehemiah covers about 11 years. Nehemiah came up after Ezra (14 years)and set things in order. I do not quite get the time frame of Zerubbabel but it seems he was the strong man of the people who returned.
In reading these books we should do some remembering. Israel was redeemed out of Egypt as slaves. The wondered in the wilderness where they were taught to trust in the one true God and learned the law there. They rose to the greatest nation on earth under David and Solomon. They turned from God and worshipped idols and as a result were taken away into captivity. They were granted permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild it. Most of the people choose to stay in Babylon and Assyria because they prospered there. A remnant, with a heart for God, came back and did the rebuilding of Jerusalem. These books are their stories.
v27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
It is a flashback to the procedures set up by David to praise the LORD. The people were divided into two groups and they climbed the steps above David's house and joined at the top to dedicate the wall.
v43 "Also that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off."
The chapter places emphasis on the singers set up by David and Solomon, Asaph was chief in the old days. His descendants carry on the talent for the LORD. Looking in the book of Psalms, you will see the name of Asaph on many of the chapters.
v46 "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."
So to some degree we see now the shame taken away. The destroyed city of Jerusalem represented the nation Israel and the shame they bore for turning from the LORD. It is a physical sign of their spiritual revival.
Next we have the last chapter of Nehemiah.
Malachi 1:5 "And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel."
Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
Who will live in Jerusalem?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Solomon and Queen of Sheba II Chronicles 9
II Chronicles 9:5 "And she said to the king. It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom...v...behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me;.."
Often we hear what the Queen of Sheba said and Solomon's great wealth is mentioned. Here we find that it is his wisdom (a gift from God) that she is so amazed about.
Sheba is or was a very fertile country in Arabia which adjoins the Red Sea.
She had a great caravan loaded with treasures to give Solomon as gifts. He in turn gave her gifts. I expect she got more treasure than she brought with her because of this verse.
v12 "And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants."
The key phrase is 'all her desire'. I believe it was his wisdom that she sought most and I picture her listening intently to his every word. Unlike the movies, I believe there was no romance between them. It does say she returned to her own land and from the passage I can see no interval of time where she stayed a long time.
v23 "And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart."
v26 "And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt."
This chapter magnifies Solomon greatly (for he was a great king) but leaves out some of the things he did that are written in a previous book. That is often the case, once mistakes are made and the individual has paid his own price for the mistake, the good things he did are mentioned over and over in scripture.
v30, 31 "And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers and he was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead."
Psalm 136:1 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Solomon is visited by the queen of Sheba. Solomon's greatness and his death.
Often we hear what the Queen of Sheba said and Solomon's great wealth is mentioned. Here we find that it is his wisdom (a gift from God) that she is so amazed about.
Sheba is or was a very fertile country in Arabia which adjoins the Red Sea.
She had a great caravan loaded with treasures to give Solomon as gifts. He in turn gave her gifts. I expect she got more treasure than she brought with her because of this verse.
v12 "And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants."
The key phrase is 'all her desire'. I believe it was his wisdom that she sought most and I picture her listening intently to his every word. Unlike the movies, I believe there was no romance between them. It does say she returned to her own land and from the passage I can see no interval of time where she stayed a long time.
v23 "And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart."
v26 "And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt."
This chapter magnifies Solomon greatly (for he was a great king) but leaves out some of the things he did that are written in a previous book. That is often the case, once mistakes are made and the individual has paid his own price for the mistake, the good things he did are mentioned over and over in scripture.
v30, 31 "And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers and he was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead."
Psalm 136:1 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Solomon is visited by the queen of Sheba. Solomon's greatness and his death.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Solomon's Buildings II Chronicles 8
II Chronicles 8:1 "And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,"
Then follows a listing of the building projects Solomon pursued.
Huram (Hiram) had restored some cities to Solomon and Solomon built them up and put his people in them. v2
He then captured other cities and put his people there. v3, 4, 5, 6.
v7 "As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites which were not of Israel v8 But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day."
Solomon set things up after the commandments of Moses and his father David as far as the offerings and sacrifices and those who praised with song and instruments.
v11 "And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her; for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come."
With the help of Huram, Solomon set up a navy and brought in gold from Ophir. v18.
So Solomon, the builder, has now been king for twenty (20) years. He has been very busy. His kingdom is established. I believe Pharaoh's daughter had a great influence on him in the years to come. Solomon obviously wished to please her as well as his other wives. We shall see how that goes.
Psalm 72:3 "The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness."
Solomon has reigned 20 years and builds more buildings and cities.
Then follows a listing of the building projects Solomon pursued.
Huram (Hiram) had restored some cities to Solomon and Solomon built them up and put his people in them. v2
He then captured other cities and put his people there. v3, 4, 5, 6.
v7 "As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites which were not of Israel v8 But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day."
Solomon set things up after the commandments of Moses and his father David as far as the offerings and sacrifices and those who praised with song and instruments.
v11 "And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her; for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come."
With the help of Huram, Solomon set up a navy and brought in gold from Ophir. v18.
So Solomon, the builder, has now been king for twenty (20) years. He has been very busy. His kingdom is established. I believe Pharaoh's daughter had a great influence on him in the years to come. Solomon obviously wished to please her as well as his other wives. We shall see how that goes.
Psalm 72:3 "The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness."
Solomon has reigned 20 years and builds more buildings and cities.
Monday, December 15, 2008
God Accepts the Temple II Chronicles 7
II Chronicles 7:1 "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house."
I mentioned in the last chapter that what if you or I built a house for a loved one and when we showed it to them, they said they didn't like or want it.
That did not happen with the temple Solomon built. The LORD honored the temple and the effort that was put forth. The temple came about when David was sitting with the prophet Nathan in his own house and realized the ark was in a tent. He determined to build a house for the LORD's name but was not allowed to do so because of the blood he had shed. Solomon was allowed to build the temple using the preparations David had made and his own. It is wonderful when you do something for someone and they like it.
v12 "And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice."
Although, we know, Israel departed from the LORD and the temple was destroyed, rebuilt and destroyed again, God has not changed his mind about that place and the temple will be rebuilt once again. That will be a great day. (Many references could be placed here, the temple is a study all its own. Daniel and Revelation would make good reading.)
v15&16 "Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."
I think of the Lord Jesus Christ walking up and down in Israel and his great disappointment when he found the temple being used for profit instead of its intended use (John 2:13-16). Over in Ezekiel, He declares to the prophet(my own perception of the words) , 'look what they have done to my house'. Ezekiel 8:6.
The chapter also contains a warning of what happens to the temple when Israel forsakes the LORD. It also tells Solomon his choice of following the LORD and being blessed or turning aside and not being blessed.
v17-18 "And as for the, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel."
There is a great desire, in this day, in Israel to rebuild the temple. It is not just a building but rather a mark in time when prophecy will be fulfilled. There are those who do not want it to happen and fight against it, but it will happen when the time is right.
(There were three temples built: by Solomon, by Zerubbabel (see Ezra), by Herod the Great. The last one was destroyed by Titus in AD70 fulfilling Jesus' words of Matt 24:2.)
Psalm 40:17 "But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinketh upon me; thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God."
God accepts the temple as a place to put his name.
I mentioned in the last chapter that what if you or I built a house for a loved one and when we showed it to them, they said they didn't like or want it.
That did not happen with the temple Solomon built. The LORD honored the temple and the effort that was put forth. The temple came about when David was sitting with the prophet Nathan in his own house and realized the ark was in a tent. He determined to build a house for the LORD's name but was not allowed to do so because of the blood he had shed. Solomon was allowed to build the temple using the preparations David had made and his own. It is wonderful when you do something for someone and they like it.
v12 "And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice."
Although, we know, Israel departed from the LORD and the temple was destroyed, rebuilt and destroyed again, God has not changed his mind about that place and the temple will be rebuilt once again. That will be a great day. (Many references could be placed here, the temple is a study all its own. Daniel and Revelation would make good reading.)
v15&16 "Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."
I think of the Lord Jesus Christ walking up and down in Israel and his great disappointment when he found the temple being used for profit instead of its intended use (John 2:13-16). Over in Ezekiel, He declares to the prophet(my own perception of the words) , 'look what they have done to my house'. Ezekiel 8:6.
The chapter also contains a warning of what happens to the temple when Israel forsakes the LORD. It also tells Solomon his choice of following the LORD and being blessed or turning aside and not being blessed.
v17-18 "And as for the, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel."
There is a great desire, in this day, in Israel to rebuild the temple. It is not just a building but rather a mark in time when prophecy will be fulfilled. There are those who do not want it to happen and fight against it, but it will happen when the time is right.
(There were three temples built: by Solomon, by Zerubbabel (see Ezra), by Herod the Great. The last one was destroyed by Titus in AD70 fulfilling Jesus' words of Matt 24:2.)
Psalm 40:17 "But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinketh upon me; thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God."
God accepts the temple as a place to put his name.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Temple Dedication II Chronicles 6
II Chronicles 6:1-2 "Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. (Exodus 19:9;20:21) But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever."
That was Solomon's opening statement, then he turned to the people and recited some history about David and the promise the LORD made to him. Solomon later mentions this to the LORD.
v12 "And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:"
It is important to notice the progression of this prayer. He is here standing before the people on a platform he made of brass. Then in the next verse he knelt down and spread forth his hands toward heaven.
After that Solomon seems to cover every instance of how Israel might sin but ask that if they turn back to the LORD and from their wicked ways that he forgive them. We will see the LORD's answer in the next chapter.
v22 "If a man sin against his neighbor..."
v24 "And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy..."
v26 "When the heaven is hut up, and there is no rain..."
v28 "If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence..."
v32 "Moreover concerning the strangers..."
v34 "If thy people go out to war..."
v37 "Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive..."
v38 "If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul..."
v39 "Then hear thou from the heavens...and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee."
Solomon speaks of the various features of the LORD and himself in this chapter:
v3 his face, v4 LORD's mouth, v7 David's heart, v12 his hands, v13 his knees, v15 LORD's mouth, hand, v20 LORD's eyes, v20- LORD's name, Lord's ear and his dwelling place.
Solomon speaks of the elements: lack of rain, war, pestilence. He also speaks of the captivity. But most of all he speaks of sin, turning from sin by the people and forgiveness by the LORD. Solomon well understands the nature of the people he rules.
Psalm 107:28 "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses."
Solomon dedicates the temple.
That was Solomon's opening statement, then he turned to the people and recited some history about David and the promise the LORD made to him. Solomon later mentions this to the LORD.
v12 "And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:"
It is important to notice the progression of this prayer. He is here standing before the people on a platform he made of brass. Then in the next verse he knelt down and spread forth his hands toward heaven.
After that Solomon seems to cover every instance of how Israel might sin but ask that if they turn back to the LORD and from their wicked ways that he forgive them. We will see the LORD's answer in the next chapter.
v22 "If a man sin against his neighbor..."
v24 "And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy..."
v26 "When the heaven is hut up, and there is no rain..."
v28 "If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence..."
v32 "Moreover concerning the strangers..."
v34 "If thy people go out to war..."
v37 "Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive..."
v38 "If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul..."
v39 "Then hear thou from the heavens...and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee."
Solomon speaks of the various features of the LORD and himself in this chapter:
v3 his face, v4 LORD's mouth, v7 David's heart, v12 his hands, v13 his knees, v15 LORD's mouth, hand, v20 LORD's eyes, v20- LORD's name, Lord's ear and his dwelling place.
Solomon speaks of the elements: lack of rain, war, pestilence. He also speaks of the captivity. But most of all he speaks of sin, turning from sin by the people and forgiveness by the LORD. Solomon well understands the nature of the people he rules.
Psalm 107:28 "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses."
Solomon dedicates the temple.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Temple Ready II Chronicles 5
II Chronicles 5:1 "Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God."
Imagine for a moment, if you had a loved one and that you built them a very fine house especially for them. Then, they told you they did not want it. Solomon has gone to a lot of effort in building the temple. In this chapter or next, he entreats the LORD to inhabit it, at least in name.
But he was not disappointed for the LORD is faithful.
v13 "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick and praised the LORD, saying For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever; that then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the LORD; v14 So that the priest could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."
In the book of Revelation, there is a description of the bride of Christ, New Jerusalem. It is a majestic city with gates made of a single pearl and walls of precious material and a street of gold. It was made in heaven. The temple Solomon built, although great by earth standards could not compare. Yet the LORD honored the effort and came down and entered the temple. He is good to his people.
There was unity on this day in Israel, the sounds were as one.
Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof."
The ark is brought into the temple.
Imagine for a moment, if you had a loved one and that you built them a very fine house especially for them. Then, they told you they did not want it. Solomon has gone to a lot of effort in building the temple. In this chapter or next, he entreats the LORD to inhabit it, at least in name.
But he was not disappointed for the LORD is faithful.
v13 "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick and praised the LORD, saying For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever; that then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the LORD; v14 So that the priest could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."
In the book of Revelation, there is a description of the bride of Christ, New Jerusalem. It is a majestic city with gates made of a single pearl and walls of precious material and a street of gold. It was made in heaven. The temple Solomon built, although great by earth standards could not compare. Yet the LORD honored the effort and came down and entered the temple. He is good to his people.
There was unity on this day in Israel, the sounds were as one.
Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof."
The ark is brought into the temple.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Articles in Temple II Chronicles 4
II Chronicles 4:1 "Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof."
This was not the typical altar we see in churches these days, at least in most churches in days gone by. This altar was used for animal sacrifices and so had to be rather large. 30 feet by 30 feet by 15 feet. I am not an expert but I think the height (15 feet) was to allow a place for stuff to fall away when the animals were sacrificed.
Many Bibles have a graph of the temple. It was made in the fashion of the tabernacle. The temple was of course more extravagant. It was made like a rectangle inside a rectangle plus the porch. Preparations were made outside the inner court, i.e. the washing and cleaning of ones self. Then the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies where the LORD appeared.
As the priest approached from the outside, the importance of cleanliness became progressively more important as the Holy of Holies was approached. Man cannot be in the presence of God without the blood to compensate for mans sinfulness. That is why the blood of Jesus is so important to us. He sacrificed once for all time and so the rigorous ceremony of the law is not now necessary in Jesus.
Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
Hebrews 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Then in this chapter we have a listing of the various instruments and what they were made of. Precious metals all but it is said of the gold used that it was perfect gold.
v20-21 "Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; And the flowers and the lamps and the tongs made he of gold and that perfect gold;"
So great care and great expense went into the building and furnishing of the temple. After all, Solomon had said that he was building a great house for the name of the LORD.
Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."
Solomon makes the things to furnish the temple.
This was not the typical altar we see in churches these days, at least in most churches in days gone by. This altar was used for animal sacrifices and so had to be rather large. 30 feet by 30 feet by 15 feet. I am not an expert but I think the height (15 feet) was to allow a place for stuff to fall away when the animals were sacrificed.
Many Bibles have a graph of the temple. It was made in the fashion of the tabernacle. The temple was of course more extravagant. It was made like a rectangle inside a rectangle plus the porch. Preparations were made outside the inner court, i.e. the washing and cleaning of ones self. Then the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies where the LORD appeared.
As the priest approached from the outside, the importance of cleanliness became progressively more important as the Holy of Holies was approached. Man cannot be in the presence of God without the blood to compensate for mans sinfulness. That is why the blood of Jesus is so important to us. He sacrificed once for all time and so the rigorous ceremony of the law is not now necessary in Jesus.
Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
Hebrews 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Then in this chapter we have a listing of the various instruments and what they were made of. Precious metals all but it is said of the gold used that it was perfect gold.
v20-21 "Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; And the flowers and the lamps and the tongs made he of gold and that perfect gold;"
So great care and great expense went into the building and furnishing of the temple. After all, Solomon had said that he was building a great house for the name of the LORD.
Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."
Solomon makes the things to furnish the temple.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Solomon Begans to Build Temple II Chronicles 3
II Chronicles 3:1 "Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite."
Back when David numbered the people against the Lord's will and the angel was destroying the people, it was here where David told the LORD that it was he who sinned and to please spare the people. Here on mount Moriah Solomon began to build the temple. It was to be a magnificent building.
The basic structure was 60 cubits by 20 cubits or 90 by 30 feet. 1 cubit is 18 inches.
In front of this was a porch which was 20 cubits by a height of 120 cubits. Verse 4 does not say how wide (how far out from the front of the basic structure) the porch was. It was overlaid with gold within. So upon entry, the scene was striking.
v7 "And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty and the gold was gold of Parvaim."
Everywhere the house sparkled with gold silver and precious stones. The most holy place was given special attention. Two cherubims stretched for 20 cubits (30 feet) their wings from side to side over the ark with their wings touching in the middle. They faced inward toward the altar.
v14 "And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson and fine linen and wrought cherubims thereon."
These representing royalty and the blood. (I see nothing else the crimson could represent)
Verse 17 is interesting. The pillars were named after Boaz who married Ruth of Moab who was a stranger in Israel but was married to a Jewish man who was the husband of Naomi. They had gone down to Moab during a drought where all died but Naomi and the daughters-in-law. Ruth refused to leave Naomi and so became the wife of Boaz of whom Jesse and David and Solomon descended, as well as Jesus Christ. Jachin was the head of the twenty-first course of the priests. His name means he shall establish. Boaz means fleetness and strength.
v17 "And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin and the name of that on the left Boaz."
Psalm 97 "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil; he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked."
Solomon starts work on the temple and the beauty is described in this chapter of Chronicles in our Bible Study.
Back when David numbered the people against the Lord's will and the angel was destroying the people, it was here where David told the LORD that it was he who sinned and to please spare the people. Here on mount Moriah Solomon began to build the temple. It was to be a magnificent building.
The basic structure was 60 cubits by 20 cubits or 90 by 30 feet. 1 cubit is 18 inches.
In front of this was a porch which was 20 cubits by a height of 120 cubits. Verse 4 does not say how wide (how far out from the front of the basic structure) the porch was. It was overlaid with gold within. So upon entry, the scene was striking.
v7 "And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty and the gold was gold of Parvaim."
Everywhere the house sparkled with gold silver and precious stones. The most holy place was given special attention. Two cherubims stretched for 20 cubits (30 feet) their wings from side to side over the ark with their wings touching in the middle. They faced inward toward the altar.
v14 "And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson and fine linen and wrought cherubims thereon."
These representing royalty and the blood. (I see nothing else the crimson could represent)
Verse 17 is interesting. The pillars were named after Boaz who married Ruth of Moab who was a stranger in Israel but was married to a Jewish man who was the husband of Naomi. They had gone down to Moab during a drought where all died but Naomi and the daughters-in-law. Ruth refused to leave Naomi and so became the wife of Boaz of whom Jesse and David and Solomon descended, as well as Jesus Christ. Jachin was the head of the twenty-first course of the priests. His name means he shall establish. Boaz means fleetness and strength.
v17 "And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin and the name of that on the left Boaz."
Psalm 97 "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil; he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked."
Solomon starts work on the temple and the beauty is described in this chapter of Chronicles in our Bible Study.
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