Ep. 97. 2 Chronicles 5-7, 1 Kings 8-9, | Dedication of the Temple
EPISODE 97
DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE: 2 CHRON 5-7, 1 KINGS 8-9
Today's reading gives us several amazing things to consider about the beauty and grace of God, but it also gives us one of the most often misapplied verses in the Bible. After Solomon built the temple, he brought the ark of the covenant and placed it in the holy of holies. Interestingly, there "Was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel." Earlier, we had seen that the ark contained not only the stone tablets but also the golden jar of manna and Aaron's rod that budded. By now, though, the ark has been through several different hands, including the Philistines, so it is no wonder that maybe a few things are missing.
I appreciate the symmetry between God's glory showing up here at the temple and when the tabernacle was erected in Exodus 40. The house of the Lord was "filled with a cloud so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
Additionally, Solomon points out that "Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built." Solomon rightly magnifies the greatness of God. God, the creator, fills all of creation. He is so great he could not possibly make his dwelling among mankind. A similar sentiment is echoed in the book of Daniel. But in the book of John, we see that God, in Christ, made his dwelling with man. In Revelation, we see that God will ultimately make his home among us. God is big and impressive, but he is also gracious to draw near to us.
Now, to the most misquoted verse from this reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14. I've covered this already in the video, but it is important to recognize that God is responding to Solomon's specific prayer request in chapter six. We are not called to pray toward or in the temple of the Lord to receive blessing. But it is easy to miss the context when we only look at one verse at a time.
ADDITIONAL READING: Exodus 16:30-33; Numbers 17:10; Exodus 40:34-35; John 1: 14; Revelation 21:3
