Today's Reading - 2 Chronicles 4

 

A Place for God's Presence

Construction went on for seven years until the Temple, its furniture, its courtyard, and all other articles and decorations connected with it were completed according to plan. Solomon’s Temple (as it has come to be known) was a more permanent form of the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) which had been constructed under Moses’ leadership in the wilderness. It would become the new center of worship for the Israelite people.

It would be hard to overemphasize the importance to the Jews and to Judaism of the ceremony, the symbolism and the sacrifices involved in worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.  The Temple was the place where God dwelt among his people.  The Temple was the place where forgiveness for sins was obtained.  The Temple was the heart of what made a Jew a Jew.  The pilgrimage to the Temple at Jerusalem on the Day of Atonement or one of the other festivals was the highlight of the religious year - indeed it would become the highlight of the entire religious life of the Jew. The purpose all along for the building of the Temple was so that God could dwell amongst his people. 

As great a significance as these ceremonies carried for the Jews, their depth of meaning to those of us under the New Covenant is still greater.  Every aspect of the physical worship at the Temple was a foreshadow of a greater spiritual reality which finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  For fourteen centuries, the Levitical priests carried out both daily ceremony and yearly sacrifice in the Temple and Tabernacle, oblivious to the fact that the whole time they were acting out a foreshadow play of the greater reality found in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant which was sealed by his blood.

The purpose all along for the building of the Temple was so that God could dwell amongst his people without them seeing him directly. If the Temple was the place where God dwelt among his people, then one could argue that the entire focus of the Old Covenant worship was to establish a way to be in fellowship with God and to come into his presence.  This, too, is the focus of the New Covenant. 

Once the  sacrifice of Jesus’ blood has been applied to us, we can come into the sanctuary - into the very place where God dwells.  As we spend time in quiet prayer, let us in our minds visualize entering into the Holy Place.  What do we find there?  There we find intimacy in our relationship with God. There we obtain forgiveness for our sins. There we find fellowship with our Creator. There we find the purpose for our existence - to dwell with our God.

Today's Reading - Proverbs 13:20

Rubbing Off On You

With whom do you spend your time? Think about this carefully because the people you choose to hang out with can have a dramatic effect on your spiritual health, your relationship with God, and your future. It has been said, “Show me a person’s company, and I will show you the person.” Let me know the company he keeps, and I shall easily guess his moral character.

Choose your companions wisely. Here in Proverbs 13, we are told that “Whoever walks with the wise, becomes wise.” If you keep company with others who fear the Lord, and you spend time talking with them about spiritual things, and walk together with them in the ways of the Lord, then their good qualities will begin to “rub off on you.” Your spiritual life will improve by keeping wise company. Hang out with spiritually mature people, and you will begin to mature spiritually.

The opposite is also true, as we read in the second half of this verse, “The companion of fools will suffer harm.” The Apostle Paul confirmed this truth in 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Be not deceived. Evil communications corrupt good morals." If you spend time with those who are not walking in the fear of the Lord, but rather follow worldly and fleshly pursuits, watch out! Your spiritual life will decline by keeping foolish company. Their values and morals will begin to “rub off on you,” and you run the risk of becoming like them. The end result of being a companion of fools is you will “suffer harm.” The King James Version puts this much more bluntly – “a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” And, that is the reality - following unwise and carnal people will ultimately lead you away from God and bring eternal harm to your soul.

This doesn’t mean you should disown your unsaved friends and family. After all, how will they call on the Lord if they haven’t heard of Him? And how are they to hear if you don’t tell them? You should be intent on preaching Christ to them and influencing them for God’s kingdom. Who knows, perhaps by God’s grace you will “rub off" on them?

Just make sure that your “companions” are those who follow Christ and walk in His ways.  Their spirituality and wisdom will rub off on you. 

 

Today's Reading: Proverbs 12

The Blessing Of Work

The Biblical work ethic is one of hard work and diligence. Colossians 3:23-25 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Here, we are commanded to put forth our best efforts, to work from our heart and soul at whatever we do. 

Interestingly, it was God who instituted work at the beginning of creation (prior to the Fall). Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Work is not a burden or an inconvenience in life (as some consider it), it is part of the overall scope of God’s creative genius. The promise here is that working hard will result in “plenty of bread.”

Solomon’s writings contain many wise sayings regarding work. Proverbs 14:23 says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 6:6-11 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

The New Testament contains another important principle regarding work: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) The refusal of an able-bodied person to work should have the consequence that he lacks food. Paul also says that an “idle” man who refuses to work should not be part of the church (verse 6). Solomon here calls it “following worthless pursuits.” The person who spends their time being idle or slothful, or trying to get out of working simply “lacks sense.”

It is important to note that the Bible does not condone workaholism. We do not work merely to amass worldly wealth (in fact, Matthew 6:19-34 warns about this). We work to bring glory to God. We also do not work ourselves into the ground or to the extent that our health is damaged or our families suffer.

Christians should work hard. Work is integral to life, and approaching work as God-given will give us more pleasure in it. We can work cheerfully and without complaint because we are working for the Lord who loves us and has redeemed us. A good work ethic can also be a witness to others (Matthew 5:16). The world takes notice of our efforts and wonders why we do what we do. Accordingly, the follower of Christ should stand out as the hardest worker in the firm; demonstrating the highest work ethic of all.

Today's Reading: Proverbs 11

The Paradox of Giving

The Bible is packed full of unconventional wisdom and paradoxes of truth. For example, we must go “down” in order to go “up” (“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” - James 4:10) Another example is that when we are “weak” then we are “strong” (“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:10) Another, we must “lose” our life to “find” it ("Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it" - Matthew 10:39) Another, to be “great” we must be a “servant” (“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” - Matthew 20:26)

When Jesus walked this earth, He shocked the world with His unconventional teaching. He would often take a commonly accepted cultural belief and flip it completely upside down by using the leading phrase, “You have heard that it has been said…” and then rocking their belief by saying, “But I say to you…”.

In our culture today, there is a commonly accepted belief regarding riches and wealth. This is the belief that to be happy and satisfied, you must get rich by paying yourself first and holding tightly to the assets you’ve accumulated. The “path to financial freedom” is to invest in your personal future. On this topic, like so many others, the Bible is very unconventional. It may seem paradoxical, but according to Scripture, the way to enrich yourself is to open your hand and use your assets to bless and enrich others.

One of the striking truths of Scripture is that you cannot outgive God. The more we give, the more we receive. Here in Proverbs 11:25, we are told that the path to enrichment is to open our penny-pinching fingers and use our assets to bring blessing to others. God’s promise is that “the liberal soul shall be made fat” (KJV). — He who gives to those in need, in the true spirit of charity, shall get a hundredfold from God's mercy. How wonderful is the Lord! He gives us the property, gives the heart to use it correctly, and rewards us for doing so - even though all the fruit was found from Himself!

You have heard that it has been said, “Hold on to all that you have, you never know when you may need it,” but I say to you, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38) Unconventional wisdom - If you want your life to be enriched, then make it your aim to bless others. You will be soaked with blessings from Heaven when you do.

 

Today's Reading: Proverbs 9 & 10

The Road Not Taken

In Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” we read these words: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” The metaphor of the road is one that speaks to us of a journey, with many roads which we must travel along, and with many alternative paths which we must choose between. As the two roads diverged, the author was forced to choose one, because he could not take both. By choosing one, this meant that he also necessarily had to choose not to take the other. In opting for one road, he was consciously rejecting the other.

In a similar fashion, Proverbs 10 lays out for us two distinct roads our lives could take during our journey here on earth. One is the road to life. The other, the road to going astray. We, too, must pause and intently consider these two roads, because we cannot take both. In opting for one road, we must make the conscious choice not to take the other.

Verse 17 tells us that “whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life.” This path is the road of submission to Jesus Christ. If we heed His instruction, trust His love, and follow His guidance, He will lead us to this “life.” This is the road to everlasting life – not only in the future “by-and-by” but in the present “here-and-now.” Jesus said that He had come to bring us “abundant life” – a life free from worry and free from condemnation for sin - a rich and satisfying life filled with joy and peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1 John 5:12) This, sadly, is the road less traveled.

The other road is taken by the one who “rejects reproof.” He/she doesn’t pay attention to God’s truth or His chastisement. This person, tragically, will not only go astray themselves, but will lead others astray. In the end, the road they chose will come to a bitter end with pain and misery. That’s why Jesus urged us all to take the road less traveled: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way [road] is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way [road] is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."(Matthew 7:14)

So, which road have you chosen? The “path of life”? Or, the "path of going astray"? You cannot choose both. By choosing one, you are choosing not to take the other. Jesus counsels you to take the road less traveled: “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

As Frost said, “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

 

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 7

 

Jachin and Boaz

Two massive bronze pillars were constructed at the entrance to Solomon’s Temple. These pillars were given names: “Jachin” and “Boaz.” Jachin (pronounced yaw-keen) and Boaz (bow·az) stood at the entrance to the temple’s vestibule or portico. Their dimensions indicate the extent of the work involved in creating them. Including the decorative tops of the pillars, they stood approximately forty-five feet tall (about the length of the trailer on a semi-truck) and had a diameter of about five feet. The brass used to make the twin pillars had been taken by King David from the king of Zobah as part of the spoils of war (1 Chronicles 18:8–9).

The names of these pillars are significant. Jachin means “he will establish,” and Boaz signifies “in him is strength.” Taken together, the names were a reminder that God would establish the temple and the worship of His name in strength. God had king Solomon erect the two pillars and keep them at the entrance so that people understood the presence of God in the Temple. For the Jews in Solomon’s day these pillars stood as a pointed reminder that Yahweh is our support and strength each time they entered the porch of the Temple.

The pillars of Solomon’s Temple have significance for us today, as well. Jesus refers to them in Revelation 3:11-12 as He is encouraging the Church in Philadelphia. He promises them that “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name”

With Christ as the foundation, the Church is referred to as the temple of God and the place where His presence dwells. His servants constitute the pillars by which the Church is decorated. In Galatians 2:9, Paul the Apostle refers to Peter, James, and John as “pillars” in the church. The picture, then, is one of the overcomer being established in Christ’s Church with His support and strength.

Just as the Temple pillars had names, so we too – as pillars in God’s temple – will one day bear three names: the name of our God, the name of God’s city, and Jesus Christ’s “new name.” We don’t yet know just what that name will be, but it will surely stand as a pointed reminder that He is the One who has established us (Jachin) and by whose strength (Boaz) we receive eternal life.

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 2 & 3

His House Will Be Great

The purpose of the Temple in Jerusalem was to provide a dwelling place for the presence of Yahweh, as it is written, “They are to make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8) The Temple Solomon was to build was to be the place of God’s holy presence and the center of worship and spirituality for the nation. In Israel, this Temple to Yahweh was called “Beit Hamikdash,” which translates literally as "the Holy House."

Temples for the purpose of religious worship were not unusual in Solomon’s day. A temple was a structure usually built for the purpose of, and always dedicated to, religious or spiritual activities including prayer, meditation, sacrifice and worship. Every sacred site had a link to the past and honored the specific “god” whose temple it was.  Ancient Egyptian temples were dedicated to their myriad of different deities or so-called “gods.” Ancient Mesopotamian temples were considered the house of the local deity or the patron god of the city. In China, early temples honored Xi'an (heaven) which represented both creation and divine order. 

The conventional thinking of the day was, “The grander the god, the grander the temple.” Thus, a routine or trite deity would have a rather inglorious temple, while the more powerful and great “gods” would have the most elaborate and magnificent temples. The Temple to Yahweh was no exception. It was to be the greatest and most magnificent place. As Solomon said, “The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.” (V5)

The reality is that a Temple great enough to house God’s presence and be a reflection of His grandness could never be built by human hands. The notion that the omnipresent Creator of Heaven and Earth could be confined in a house or a temple was laughable. As Solomon went on to say, “The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him.” (V6) We cannot localize God, nor confine Him to a structure made of stone.

Nevertheless, God’s Temple was to be built. And it was to be the grandest of temples. It was going to be the greatest undertaking ever for the Israeli people. In fact, it would take over 150 thousand workers seven years to complete. No expense would be spared.  And, when completed, it would serve as the place for God’s people to gather and come into His presence for prayer, sacrifice, and worship.

Solomon’s dedication to the magnificence of the Lord’s Temple is an example of a person who knows that everything done for God is worthwhile and it must be done with all of our might and commitment. We also have a calling from Yahweh to “build His temple.” Our undertaking is not a stone building, but a spiritual building made up of “living stones” who come to Him and become His Church (see 1 Peter 2:4-5). We, like Solomon, must recognize that everything we do to build this spiritual “Temple” is worthwhile and must be done with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our Grand God deserves nothing less!