Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“So Solomon made all the objects that were in the house of God: the altar of gold; the tables upon which was the bread of the presence; the lampstands, and the lamps for burning according to the custom before the inner sanctuary, of solid gold; and the blossoms, the lamps, and the tongs that were of solid gold; and the snuffers, the drinking bowls, the dishes, and the firepans, of solid gold; and the entrance to the house, the inner doors to the most holy place, and the doors to the house of the temple were of gold. When all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was finished, Solomon brought the holy objects of David his father: the silver, the gold, and all the objects he had put into the storehouses of the house of God.” (2 Chronicles 4:19-5:1)

Chapter four is all about the furnishings of the Temple. The water basins and the lampstands, the enclosures, the pots, the bowls, the vessels, and everything. There was a lot and it was ALL quality materials which were carefully crafted to exact specifications.

Chapter five is the process by which they brought the ark of the covenant up and into the Temple. All the elders of Israel and the heads of the tribes and the leaders of the houses were there. The Levites brought the ark and sacrifices were made. They placed it in the Most Holy Place and came out blowing trumpets and singing songs of worship to the Lord. It was a FESTIVAL. God descended on the Temple from the Most Holy Place in a visible cloud so thick and so present that the priests couldn’t serve inside the Temple because they couldn’t see what they were doing through the glory of the Lord.

In chapter six Solomon blesses all the people of Israel who are present – and by proxy any who were not. Then Solomon prayed, thanking God for all He did, and graphically illustrating what the Temple would be used for. He clearly stated that it was going to be the hub of their lives, the place to come for forgiveness and to seek God. The visible representation of the favour of the Lord for these His people.

Summary

Key Players: God, Solomon, Huram, the Jews.

Key Verse(s): 2 Chronicles 4:17-18; 5:2-6, 11-14; 6:41-42