Read 2 Chronicles 4
Highlights:
The Altar and golden furnishings are described. Then the House of the Lord is finished. Picture the scene when the Ark is brought into the Temple; cloud of the Lord's presence fills the Temple; Solomon's prayer of dedication.
Much time and effort were given in preparation for the dedication of the Temple which had taken about 7-1/2 years to build (I Kin. 6:37-38). The Ark finally reached its intended resting place within the Holy of Holies. Perhaps no event has ever equaled this momentous occasion. Preceded by his royal guard, the king led the way to the Temple's great court (II Chr. 4:9). As they went up the hill, they sang: Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into Thy resting place, Thou, and the Ark of Thy strength: let Thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Thy saints rejoice in goodness (6:41).
This awe-inspiring Ark contained the original Commandments from Moses. These were to be a constant reminder of the Covenant of God with Israel to make of them a holy nation.
The first four of the Ten Commandments deal with man's relationship to God. All ten were summarized by our Lord in two: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself (Luke 10:27). We cannot meet such demands without the new birth (John 3:3,5) and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Law in its perfection exposes man's sinfulness before God.
The Law has done its holy work when it has taught the solemn heart-searching Truth that points the way to Christ. In me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing (Rom. 7:18). As soon as a person is born of God he possesses the indwelling life of God and, as he meditates daily upon His Word (II Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17), he can be assured the Lord will impart the knowledge of His will. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20). Jesus promised: The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things (John 14:26). We have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16). When a person receives the life of Christ and submits himself to the Law of the Spirit of Life, then his behavior will be an increasing manifestation of Christ.
For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the rightousness of the Law (the righteous requirements of the law) might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:3-4).
Thought for Today:
The Lord is upright: He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him (Ps. 92:15).
Christ Revealed:
Through Solomon's prayer to God (II Chr. 6:14). Jesus is God: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; 17:22; 1:1; I John 5:7-8).
Word Studies:
4:2: molten sea, large metal, round basin; 4:22 censers, incense burners; 6:10 room, throne of Israel; 6:24 be put to the worse, are defeated; 6:28 dearth, famine; blasting, blight; sore, plague; 6:40 attent, attentive.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Rep. John Sarbanes (MD) • Country: Guyana (705,000) on the northeastern coast of South America • Major languages: English and Amerindian dialects • The government is becoming increasingly Marxist, radical, and atheistic • 36% Hindu; 28% Protestant; 10% Roman Catholic; 9% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Let the Lord have all your worries and cares; He is always thinking about you and things that concern you (I Pet. 5:7).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 9
Memory Verse for the Week: John 15:10