Journal Through the Bible: Week 93 Saturday

Easley, Kendell H. Holman
QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible.
Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2002.
Print.
(Courtesy of Logos Bible Software)

II Chronicles chapter 8

Twenty years had passed. Solomon had completed the Temple, his own house, a house for his wife who was also the daughter of Pharaoh, and several cities. Some of the cities were storehouses, some were for defense, and some were seaports.

Solomon also made the Canaanite people that were left in the land - and whose ancestors had been living among the Israelites since the time of Joshua - servants who worked and paid tribute. The Israelites did not serve in those capacities but were military personnel. He made 250 of them his chief officers. The Levites and priests continued in their service rotation by families according to the order that David had arranged during his reign.

Does God issue any commands?

• Not in this chapter but we read that Solomon offered burnt offerings at a certain rate every day and kept the sacrifices and offerings on the special days as required by the LORD in Leviticus.

Does God make any promises?
Not in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• When all was accomplished Solomon continued to worship God through the required sacrifices. When all the sacrifice was accomplished Jesus sat down at the right hand of God the Father.
• All of Solomon's enemies were put under his authority. Several scriptures say that the LORD told the Lord to sit at His right hand until He (the LORD) makes the Lord's enemies His footstool. (See Psalm 110:1, Matthew 22:44; I Corinthians 15:25, Luke 20:42-43; Acts 2:34-36.)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Solomon's kingdom in all of its glory was a type of the Kingdom of God yet to come.
• Solomon had mastery over his enemies. One day all of Jesus' enemies will be under His feet also. He is now at the right hand of God the Father awaiting that day.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 93 Friday

source

II Chronicles chapter 7

Looking back over the events of Israel's history, the author of these chronicles, who was most likely the Priest Ezra, told those returning from captivity that God had answered Solomon's prayer on Mount Moriah in the same manner that He later would answer the prayer of the Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices.

Once again it is noted that the glory of the LORD filled the house and the priests could not enter. The people who witnessed this event immediately fell to their knees with their faces to the ground in worship and praise.

Does God issue any commands?

• Solomon consecrated the Temple with offerings and sacrifices such as God had commanded in the book of Leviticus.
• God commanded Solomon to follow His commands and worship only Him.

Does God make any promises?

• Solomon sent the people to their homes on the 23rd day. They were "glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people" (verse 10). This was confirmation of God keeping His promises.
• The LORD appeared to Solomon by night and said that He had chosen the Temple for a house of sacrifice. 
• God promised that after the people sinned if they would humble themselves, pray, seek His face, turn from their wicked ways God would forgive their sin and heal their land.
• God promised that He would be attentive to the prayers made in that place.
• God made a personal promise to Solomon that if he would walk before Him as David did by doing according to all that God commanded him, He would establish his throne forever but if Solomon turned away from God He would remove the people from the land and tear down the Temple so that all would be astonished.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• When the people witnessed the glory of the LORD in a visible way they bowed and worshiped God. Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10 say that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. The Apostle John said in John 1:14 that "we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father." John was a witness to the glorified Christ both in the Transfiguration and as the risen Savior. 
• During this dedication period the people kept the Feast of Tabernacles which was a time of celebrating both the tents they lived in during the Exodus and the fact that the Messiah would "tabernacle" with men. Jesus took on human flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
• God promised to be attentive to the prayers made in the Temple because the place was a symbol of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ who came to tabernacle among men. Jesus told His followers that if we ask anything in His name in repentance and faith and according to the Father's will He will hear and answer our prayers.
• Because Solomon and the people did not keep the commands of God and serve Him only, the covenant was broken. The continual rule of the family of David was broken, the people taken into captivity, and the Temple was destroyed at the time of the Babylonian conquest. Jesus restores the covenant once more. He is of the seed of David, He sets free those who are captive to sin, and He is our Temple (our altar of sacrifice, our High Priest, the dwelling of our God, the Chief Cornerstone, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, the sweet incense, the burnt offering, the sin offering, the Light that shines in the darkness, etc.).

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• When the people personally witnessed the glory of the LORD it caused them to fall to the ground on their knees and faces to worship and praise Almighty God. This will undoubtedly be the reaction of every believer when he encounters God face to face in eternity. (Why not practice this posture now?) 
• God made very specific appeals and promises to Solomon and the people. He promised to hear their prayers, forgive their sins, perpetually listen to the prayers made in that place on Mount Moriah, and heal their land if the people would worship only Him. They didn't. But God still makes specific appeals and promises to those who will turn from their sins and trust Him today. He hears our prayers, forgives our sins, and one day He will again heal the land and take possession of it where His people will be free to talk openly with Him and worship Him out of grateful hearts.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 93 Thursday

source

II Chronicles chapter 6

Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name. (verses 32-33)

After the glory of the LORD filled the Temple Solomon ascended onto a brass scaffold, got down on his knees, raised his hands to the heavens and prayed an eloquent, heart-felt prayer to God in front of all of the people. It contained all the elements of the ACTS of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). Many of Solomon's petitions for forgiveness paraphrase God's own words in Leviticus. The sacrifices that were offered as an atonement for sins following repentance were then going to be carried out in the Temple instead of in the tabernacle.

The words concerning the repentance of captives in a foreign land (verses 36-39) must have been very comforting to those who were returning from Babylonian captivity. Ezra himself may have been comforted when he copied them from Solomon's prayer.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak in this chapter but Solomon asked several times for God to forgive the people if they confessed their sin. The only way sin can be recognized is if there are commands to be broken. In essence then, Solomon is referencing the commands of God in his prayer.

Does God make any promises?

• Solomon rehearsed before the people the promises of God that they were seeing fulfilled that day including the choosing of Jerusalem as God's city, the choosing of David as God's ruler, and the choosing of King Solomon to build the House of God.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Solomon asked in verse 18, "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" Yes! Jesus is God in the flesh who came and dwelt among us! And He will come again and dwell among us!
• In Solomon's prayer he said that the Temple was to be for all people including strangers. He wanted everyone to know the LORD because of the testimony of Israel and their house of worship. Jesus also wanted the redeemed of Israel to spread the gospel of God the Father and His Son to all the world. God always had a plan in place for a world-wide gospel but in the time of the Temple He expected people to "come" and be introduced to the God that loves them. Later, Jesus told His followers that made up the church He established while He was here on the earth to "go" to all people and introduce them to the God that loves them. We are still doing this today.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Solomon had every intention for the House of God that he built to last forever as God's dwelling place among men, but it did not because it was a man-made structure. Jesus has prepared a place for us that will never pass away because it is God-made. One day we will live there with Him, Emanuel: God with us! Solomon's Temple was a place where God and sinful men were to meet, but the man would leave and return to his sinful environment. When we are permanently dwelling in the place that Jesus prepared for us men shall never return to a sinful environment or be tempted by their own fallen natures.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 93 Wednesday

source

II Chronicles chapter 5

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; . . . that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God. (verses 13 and 14)

The work was finished! Solomon brought in all the things that his father, David, had dedicated to the LORD. Solomon then brought the Ark of the Covenant up (without incident!) out of Zion and placed it in the Holy of Holies. The priests and Levites also brought up the tabernacle and its vessels out of Gibeon and placed them in the Temple.

Verse 9 says that the Ark and its staves were there "unto this day" but we are told elsewhere in scripture that it was not found in the post-exilic temple built by Zerubbabel. It would seem that Ezra copied the whole passage from the notes taken during the reigns of David's descendants, which ended at the time of the Babylonian captivity. Although the people would have rejoiced at being allowed to return to their home in Jerusalem in Ezra's time, they would have mourned that the symbol of their covenant with God had vanished. It seems to me that this is only fitting since the Davidic dynasty was not restored at that time either and that also is a symbol of God's covenant with Israel.

At the placement of the Ark of the Covenant the singers/psalm writers and their families as appointed by David, led a worship service with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, which was then blended with 120 trumpets blown by priests. At that time the glory of the LORD filled the house and the priests could not see to minister!

Does God issue any commands?

• Solomon learned a lesson from his father about the proper way to move the Ark of the Covenant. This time there was no breach upon anyone for improperly touching the most holy symbol of the atonement because Solomon rightly sanctified the priests for their responsibility of moving it as per God's previous commands given to Moses.

Does God make any promises?

• God showed His approval of the Temple when His glory came down upon it and filled it just as He had done to the tabernacle during the Exodus. This was His promise that He accepted this new place of worship which was meant to be a permanent structure and sign of their mutual covenant.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The work of Solomon was complete. He had done his father's will. This is a type of Jesus who said on the cross that the work is finished! He had done His Father's will!
• The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. It was the curtain of the Holy of Holies that tore from top to bottom when Jesus shed His blood for the remission of our sins.
• Jesus is the fulfillment of the Covenant, the personification of the Mercy Seat of the Ark, and the Sovereign who meets the qualifications for the everlasting dynasty of David. The Ark was a symbol of the covenant between God and the Children of Israel and the Children of Israel had broken their covenant. Jesus is the fulfillment of that covenant.  

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• This chapter rehearses the time when the Ark of the Covenant (or Testament) was placed in Solomon's Temple. It is a symbol of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, Israel, David, and Solomon, and their descendants. It remained in the Temple until the time of the Babylonian conquest, which was the judgment that came because the Children of Israel and their kings had broken the covenant. The Ark was not put into the second temple which was built by Zerubbabel. This fits with Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 3:16. However, in Revelation 11:19 John said that he saw the Ark of the Testament in the temple of God in heaven and since it was seen by John it is likely that we will see it when we are there. 

Journal Through the Bible: Week 93 Tuesday

Kitto, John.
Images from an Illustrated History of the Holy Bible.
Norwich, CT:
Henry Bill Publishing Company,
1872. Print.Appearing here courtesy of Logos Bible Software

II Chronicles chapter 4

This chapter tells of the temple furnishings and vessels provided by Solomon.

Does God issue any commands?
God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?
God does not speak.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Solomon prepared a place for the worship of his God. Jesus said that He went to prepare a place for us so that we can approach our God in worship also. Since the Temple and its furnishings were pictures of Jesus' sacrifice they are pictures of the work that Jesus did to prepare a place for us.
• The purest gold was used to make the lamps and candlesticks. Jesus said that we are the lights that lead men to Him because we are reflections of Him: the Way, the Truth, and the Light. In scripture, churches are also represented as candlesticks that burn brightly with the message of redemption for the glory of God. We are told to serve in churches where we are not lone candles but one of many placed together to make the light shine brighter. In Revelation 1:13 John saw Jesus walking among the candlesticks. Eventually the Church Age will end and we will all shine together for eternity in the glory of our Lord.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day we will worship God with sight due to the fact that Jesus has prepared a place for us!
• As mentioned above, one day all of the redeemed will shine together as reflectors of the Light as we worship Him throughout eternity. The candlestick is a symbol of the light that is achieved from that unity.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 93 Monday

II Chronicles chapter 3

The Temple was built on Mount Moriah on the land that had formerly belonged to Ornan the Jebusite. This was where David built an altar after the plague was stopped when he was punished for taking the census. It is also where Abraham was commanded to offer Isaac many years earlier.

Does God issue any commands?
God did not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?
God did not speak in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The pattern design of the Temple was very much like that of the tabernacle except that it was made from more durable material such as stone as opposed to curtains of cloth, but the design, ornamentation, and furnishings were meant to draw the worshiper's attention to the atonement to be made by the coming Messiah.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Solomon's temple was built upon Mount Moriah. A future temple will also be built there as Revelation 11:1-2 indicates.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Saturday

source

II Chronicles chapter 2

But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? (verse 6)

Does God issue any commands?

• In his appeal to Huram/Hiram, king of Tyre, Solomon rehearsed the commands of God to offer sacrifices at certain times and he told how he was determined to build a house to the LORD for the offering of those sacrifices.

Does God make any promises?

• God did not speak in this chapter, however, the work that Solomon was endeavoring to begin was one that God had promised David that Solomon could do.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Solomon said that he was building a house for God, the God that cannot be contained in one place. The omnipresent God purposely limited the existence of the 2nd member of the trinity when Jesus came and dwelt among men during His first advent beginning as the baby in Bethlehem.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?
Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Friday

source

II Chronicles chapter 1

The tabernacle made by Moses was located at Gibeon when the young Solomon began his rule over Israel but the ark of the covenant was in Jerusalem in the tent that David had prepared for it. The brazen altar was with the tabernacle. It was there that Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings in his first sacrifice as sole regent over the nation and where God appeared to Solomon in a dream.

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Solomon to ask Him for what He, God, would give Solomon. (What a gift this was! God obviously knew that Solomon was not going to ask something frivolous.)

Does God make any promises?

• In the very first verse we see that a promise of God is being fulfilled as God magnified Solomon's kingdom exceedingly.
• God promised Solomon the wisdom and knowledge for which he asked but He also promised him wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. (verse 12)

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Because Solomon was a young man that did not seek his own good but the will of his father in ruling the kingdom God blessed him greatly. This makes Solomon a type of Jesus who also did not seek to do His own will but that of His Father, who then blessed Him abundantly with wisdom and knowledge as He grew. (A true mystery to be sure! How did the God/Man "grow in wisdom . . . , and in favour with God and man?" Luke 2:52)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Solomon asked that God let His promise to David be established. Part of that promise was that David would have an heir to sit on the throne of Israel forever. This promise is yet to be fully fulfilled.

TAKE TIME: February 16-21 Schedule

Introduction:  The chapters we will read this week tell of the building and dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.

 Assignment:

• Monday - II Chronicles chapter 3
• Tuesday - II Chronicles chapter 4
• Wednesday -  II Chronicles chapter 5
• Thursday - II Chronicles chapter 6
• Friday - II Chronicles chapter 7
• Saturday - II Chronicles chapter 8

Memory Verse

 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked way; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  II Chronicles 7:14


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is the omnipresent God! There is nowhere that we can go that He isn't already there!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

The account of David and Solomon is a poignant one. The father has a dream of building God a house and the son brings it to fruition.  Are there dreams that you have that have not been completed? Make a list of steps necessary to complete these dreams or goals and then set out to do them. Dare to dream big for God!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Thursday

source

I Chronicles chapter 29

David gave of his own personal wealth toward the building of the Temple. It was a freewill offering and he encouraged the people to give also. It is always a good thing for a Christian to live his/her life so that the temple he builds upon the foundation of Christ is made of quality material. It is also good for him to encourage others to do likewise!

After David and the people gave their offerings David offered a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving and praise to his God.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (verse 14)

Does God issue any commands?
God did not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?
God did not speak in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• David said in verse 3 that he had set his affection to the house of God and had prepared gold and silver in abundance out of his own riches for the dwelling of God. Colossians 3:1-2 says that we should set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth (v. 2) because we are to seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (v. 1). The foundation of the Temple is Jesus. He is the altar and the sacrifice. He is the embodiment of the Temple and its Holy of Holies. I Corinthians 3:9-17 that says that we are God's temple here on earth and we are built on the foundation of Christ using either precious materials of gold, silver, and precious stones or the combustible materials of wood, hay, and stubble.
• David made it clear in his prayer of praise and thanksgiving that all that he had dedicated to God already belonged to God anyway and that God was the one that had given those things to David and the people. We offer our lives as a living sacrifice to Jesus but everything that we give already belongs to Jesus as the creator. We just give ourselves back to His service.
• David had previously made Solomon his co-regent when approached by Nathan and Bathsheba but now the people confirmed Solomon as the king the second time. Jesus came as King at His first advent but He did not take possession of His physical kingdom at that time even though His victory over sin, hell, and death confirmed Him as the co-regent with God the Father. At His second advent He will be recognized the second time as King and He will rule in power and might.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• David said that we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, . . . our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding (verse 15). This is not our final destination. We are here temporarily but we will live forever in the City of which we are truly citizens, a city not made with hands where there is no temple because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it! (Revelation 21:22)
• The royal majesty of Solomon's earthly kingdom is but a foretaste of the royal majesty of Jesus' heavenly and earthly Kingdom yet to come.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Wednesday

source

I Chronicles chapter 28

Did you read that previous list of  "Who's Who in King David's Kingdom" in the previous chapters? We're told in this chapter that he assembled all of them together to tell them what was on his heart and on the heart of the LORD.

Then David charged Solomon and gave him the pattern for the Temple. I particularly love his charge to his son.

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. (verses 9 and 10)

I love these verses. This parent knows exactly how David must have felt when exhorting his child to whole-heartedly serve the LORD!

Does God issue any commands?

• David reminded the people that God had told him not to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant which he calls here "the footstool of our God" as he also called it in Psalm 99:5 and Psalm 132:7.
• David reminded the people that out of all the king's sons God had chosen Solomon to be the next king.
• David told the people that God had commanded that Solomon be the one to build the Temple because God had chosen him as a son.
• Verses 12 and 19 say that the Spirit gave David the pattern of the House that David then passed on to Solomon. This is not surprising. God gave the pattern of the tabernacle to Moses so it seems only fitting that He would design the temple also.

Does God make any promises?

• David reminded the people that he had been chosen by God to be king over Israel forever, meaning his line will rule forever. (I particularly like the phrase in verse 4 that says, "He liked me to make me king over all Israel." It is nice to be liked by God.)
• God promised to establish Solomon's kingdom forever if he would follow God's judgments.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• David gave Solomon a charge to build the Temple according to God's own pattern and design. This Temple was to be a permanent building with all of the accessories and services of the tabernacle which represented the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
• Solomon was to do his father's will and work. This is a type of Christ Jesus who came to do His Father's will and work.
• David told Solomon that God would not fail him or forsake him until all the work was finished. God did not fail nor forsake Jesus until such time as the work He was sent to do was finished also. Only during that time did the Father temporarily forsake the Son until He cried, "It is finished!"

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The eternal dynasty of David and Solomon is referenced in this chapter. This dynasty will once again rule and reign Israel when Jesus comes again.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Tuesday

source

I Chronicles chapter 27

This chapter is also primarily a list of names, but like other chapters the lists found here contain some familiar names. In the first fifteen verses of the chapter are the names of the chief fathers and captains that served King David. Men served in rotation in the services of the king, twenty-four thousand of them each month. Given that several of the names of the captains can be found among the lists of David's mighty men it would be reasonable to assume that these men were the captains over the army and guards of their day. Verse 1 says that they "served the king in any matter of the courses." It sounds like they did everything: border patrol, palace guards, standing army, etc. They were active duty at least one month out of each year. A couple of the names that are familiar are Asahel and Joab.

In the next paragraph we read of the under-rulers, (perhaps governors or tribal court judges) of the tribes. David's brother, Elihu (Eliab) was the leader of the tribe of Judah. We can assume that these men, and those that were numbered here as captains were over the age of twenty based upon the information given in verses 23 and 24. This also sheds some light on the nature of David's sin when he had Joab take a census of the fighting men of Israel. Verse 24 tells us that the number, meaning the total, was not put into David's records, but earlier in this chronicle and its counterpart in II Samuel do give numbers which differed by approximately 300,000 men. These verses tend to suggest that neither number was a complete reckoning. I assumed that the numbers given in the two accounts were different because one did not include the tribes of Levi and Benjamin but it could also have been that the larger one included the number of the young men under the age of 20 who were still capable of bearing arms within those 10 tribes. Either way, the total was not listed in David's court records and the LORD punished David and his nation for taking the census in the first place.

The next section names the men directly in charge of David's possessions. He had a treasurer; a man over the storehouses and fields, the cities and villages, and royal residences; a man who was a groundskeeper and gardener; a man to care for the vineyards; and a man responsible for storing the fruits of the vineyard in the wine cellars. He also had a man over the olive and sycamore trees located on the low plains, a man over the oil cellars, a herdsman over the herds feeding in Sharon, and another over the herds located in the valleys. He had a chief stableman over the camels and another for the donkeys. He had a separate man to keep the rest of the flocks.

The final paragraph names David's counselors. The first one named is one of David's uncles who was said to be a wise man and a scribe. Another counselor was with the king's sons, perhaps as a tutor. Next is the name of Ahithophel. His name is notable because he was the grandfather of Bathsheba. He later sided with Absalom in his attempted coup. When Absalom did not follow all of Ahithophel's advice which would lead to the further humiliation and ultimate destruction of David, Ahithophel went home, set his affairs in order, and took his own life. Listed also is Hushai the Archite, the king's companion, who was instrumental in offering counsel to Absalom that thwarted the plans of Ahithophel. Finally we see the names of the men who became David's counselors after Ahithophel as well as the name of Joab, the general who advised David in military affairs.

Does God issue any commands?
No, not in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• Verse 23 quotes the promise of God to increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• David had a list of men that followed him and did as he commanded. The New Testament is full of lists of men who followed Jesus and did as He commanded them. Even the book of Revelation lists men who await or follow orders of their King.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• In many of His parables Jesus taught that those who are faithful in their earthly life will be rewarded in the life to come. He promised that His closest friends, the disciples and other followers, that they would rule and reign with Him. The New Testament teaches that all believers will so rule as judges. This will be when Jesus sets up His Kingdom on the earth to reign for 1,000 years. Everyone will be assigned their tasks in His Kingdom at that time.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Monday

Tabernacle Gatekeepers
courtesy of Bible Logos software

I Chronicles chapter 26

Again, let me state that those who read too quickly or without attention to the genealogies and lists of names that are found in the Bible miss some very interesting material! Also, they discount the importance of such scripture. Remember that God inspired these scriptures the same as all others. And the same God is keeping account of each person's every thought, word, and deed today. May we not be so casual about what is being written about us by our Sovereign God!

This chapter begins with the mention of the porters. These were most likely door keepers and guards. Remember that in Psalm 84:10 David said he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness because a day in God's courts is better than a thousand. These men so named from the tribe of Levi got to spend their days in the courts of God. What a wonderful responsibility they had standing first in the curtained gates of the tabernacle then at the beautiful doors of Solomon's Temple.

The beginning of the chapter details the family of Meshelemiah from the line of Asaph, one of the musicians inspired by God to write several of the psalms. Then it tells us of the blessings of Obed-edom, the man in whose home the Ark of the Covenant rested until David properly moved it to Jerusalem. (See I Chronicles chapter 13 for more information.) In I Chronicles 13:14 we read that God blessed the house - or family - of Obed-edom due to his respect for the Ark of the Covenant. Here we see one of the ways that God blessed him. In verses 4-5 of today's chapter we read the names of Obed-edom's eight sons with the notation "for God blessed him." Oh, to live in such a time when children were counted as blessings of the LORD!

We are also told that Obed-edom had grandsons who were mighty men of valour. These 62 men were able men for strength for the service of the tabernacle. (See verse 8.) Evidently strong Levite men were necessary for the responsibility of being porters. No wonder David respected them so highly and wanted to be like them!

Further down we read about the Levites that were over the tabernacle/temple treasury. Moses' descendant through his son, Gershom, was one of the treasurers. His name was Shebuel. (See verse 24.) The men named in this section (verses 20-28) kept the treasury. Shelomith and his brethren (see verses 26-28) had the particular responsibility of keeping all of the treasures that were dedicated by David to God for the purpose of building the Temple. Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab had also dedicated personal treasures and the spoils of war to this treasury.

Does God issue any commands?
God did not speak in this passage but we see how some of His prior commands were being fulfilled. For instance, He had told the Israelites to conquer the idolatrous Canaanites. They had not been perfect in carrying out this command but when they had conquered some of God's enemies they dedicated some of the spoils of war to the coffers for the purpose of building God a house. Also, God had commanded David not to build Him a house but said that Solomon could. Here we read of the preparations in David's storehouse for just such an undertaking. Another thing commanded of God was the service of the individual Levite families. Some of the fulfillment of their appointed duties is listed in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?
God did not speak, but the keeping of promises is evident in this chapter. For one thing, His blessing of Obed-edom is highlighted here. In the middle of a very dark event, one that cost Uzza his life, another man was abundantly blessed because of his respect for the Ark of the Covenant and the God that it represented! For another, the proliferation of the tribe of Levi was a testimony to the faithfulness of God who set them apart for His service. He always had enough men for the duties and many of them were counted as men of valour.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Although the Ark itself is not mentioned in this chapter by comparing scripture with scripture we find that the reason Obed-edom was abundantly blessed by God was because he properly cared for and respected the Ark. The Ark of the Covenant represented Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the propitiation for our sins, whose blood was placed upon the mercy seat.
• One of the other Levites who was blessed was Meshelemiah, or Shelemiah, whose responsibility it was to guard the East Gate. It is probably through this gate that Jesus entered at his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem prior to cleansing the Temple. In his visions Ezekiel saw the glory of the LORD departing and returning through this gate at the time of the Babylonian captivity and of the future restoration. In Ezekiel 44:1-3 is the prophecy that the gate would be closed until the return of the Messiah. It is now closed but one day it will be opened again by Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The doorkeepers of the gates on the east are listed. This would include the East Gate that Jesus entered a few days prior to His crucifixion. Ezekiel prophesied that this gate would be shut after the Messiah used it and would not be open again until the Prince returns and uses it again for another Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. This day is coming!
• This passage details the service duties of the Levites from the days of David forward to the time of the Babylonian captivity. A reading of Revelation tells us that those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb are made kings and priests. (See Rev. 1:6.) This surely means that we will each be given important ceremonial duties in the Kingdom of our God!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 91 Saturday

Stringed instruments courtesy of
Logos Bible Software,
originally published in
Images from a Biblical and Theological Dictionary
by Richard Myer

I Chronicles chapter 25

This chapter contains more information about the divisions of the musicians for the worship services in the tabernacle and future temple. What I find fascinating is that we are told in verses 1, 3, and 5 that these people were prophets or "seers" with harps, psalteries, and with cymbals. I had never thought about it before, but this is so obvious. These were the very men that wrote several of the psalms! Of course they were inspired by God to prophecy as they wrote scripture!

Remember also that Heman was a grandson of the well-beloved Samuel, the last judge of Israel and a prophet in his own right. According to verse 5 Heman had fourteen sons and three daughters. All of them were musicians in the house of the LORD under the direction of their father!

Does God issue any commands?

• Not directly in this passage, but it should be assumed that since these musicians wrote the psalms that we read that God commanded them (through divine inspiration) to record those words and to set them to music for the worship services. We do not know now what the music sounded like but the words are preserved for us to read.

Does God make any promises?
No, God does not speak.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Verse 2 states that Asaph prophesied according to the order of the king. The king was David, but truly it was King Jesus under whose authority and command Asaph prophesied!

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?
Not that I identified.

TAKE TIME: February 2-7, 2015 Assignment

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. It has taken over a month for me to do 1 week's worth of Bible journaling.

*****

Introduction: The book of II Chronicles ends with David's passing of the scepter to his son Solomon and it begins with Solomon's intentions to follow David's plans for building the Temple for the worship of God.

 Assignment:

• Monday - I Chronicles chapter 26
• Tuesday - I Chronicles chapter 27
• Wednesday -  I Chronicles chapter 28
• Thursday - I Chronicles chapter 29
• Friday - II Chronicles chapter 1
• Saturday - II Chronicles chapter 2

Memory Verse

 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this peole: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? II Chronicles 2:10


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is our Father. He promised David that He would be a Father to Solomon and He promises to be our Father also.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Choices. We make them everyday. Solomon was given wisdom by God to rule His people. The same God says that wisdom is available to us if we ask. Avail yourself of His wisdom everyday and allow Him to rule in your own life. Pray, then wait for His leading. This process can help halt future second-guessing.