II Chronicles 3: The Foundation of Faith
Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.
And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.
II Chronicles 3 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the commencement of the construction of Solomon's Temple. This chapter lays the groundwork, not just for a physical structure, but for a tangible representation of God's presence among His people. Understanding the details within this chapter offers profound insights into worship, obedience, and the very nature of God's dwelling place.
A Sacred Location: Mount Moriah
2_Chronicles 3:1 opens with a significant geographical marker: Mount Moriah. This was no ordinary location; it was a site steeped in history and divine revelation. It was here that the LORD had appeared to David, confirming His will for the temple's location (1_Chronicles 21:1-22:1). This act solidified the Lord's selection of this location. More significantly, Moriah is also the site where Abraham, in an act of unparalleled faith, offered Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:2). This connection to Abraham's obedience underscores the profound spiritual significance of the Temple's location, linking it to themes of sacrifice, obedience, and God's provision.
The Temple's Genesis
Solomon initiated the temple's construction on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign (2_Chronicles 3:2). This precise dating emphasizes the importance and solemnity of the undertaking. It wasn't a haphazard project, but a divinely ordained endeavor carried out with intentionality and purpose.
Details and Dimensions: A Glimpse into God's Dwelling
The detailed descriptions of the temple's size, utensils, and furniture in these chapters might seem overwhelming at first glance. However, they serve to highlight the meticulous care and lavish resources dedicated to building a house worthy of the Lord. These details culminate in the description of the most holy place (2_Chronicles 3:8), also known as the Holy of Holies.
This inner sanctuary housed the Ark of the Covenant, topped with the mercy seat, representing God's throne and the place of atonement. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter this sacred space to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. Imagine the weight of responsibility, the palpable sense of God's presence, and the hope for forgiveness that filled that moment.
The two gold cherubim, standing over the ark with a combined wingspan of thirty feet, must have created an atmosphere of awe and reverence (2_Chronicles 3:10-13). Their outstretched wings, touching both each other and the walls of the most holy place, symbolized God's protection, presence, and the encompassing nature of His glory.
More Than a Building
II Chronicles 3 isn't just about the construction of a building; it's about establishing a place where God and His people could connect. It's a testament to the importance of obedience, the power of sacrifice, and the magnificence of God's dwelling place. As we read these details, let us consider the dedication and resources that were poured into this sacred space, and reflect on how we can offer our lives as a dwelling place for God's presence today. Just as the temple was built on a foundation of faith, may our lives be built on the solid foundation of God's Word and our unwavering trust in Him.
Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.
And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.
II Chronicles 3 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the commencement of the construction of Solomon's Temple. This chapter lays the groundwork, not just for a physical structure, but for a tangible representation of God's presence among His people. Understanding the details within this chapter offers profound insights into worship, obedience, and the very nature of God's dwelling place.
A Sacred Location: Mount Moriah
2_Chronicles 3:1 opens with a significant geographical marker: Mount Moriah. This was no ordinary location; it was a site steeped in history and divine revelation. It was here that the LORD had appeared to David, confirming His will for the temple's location (1_Chronicles 21:1-22:1). This act solidified the Lord's selection of this location. More significantly, Moriah is also the site where Abraham, in an act of unparalleled faith, offered Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:2). This connection to Abraham's obedience underscores the profound spiritual significance of the Temple's location, linking it to themes of sacrifice, obedience, and God's provision.
The Temple's Genesis
Solomon initiated the temple's construction on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign (2_Chronicles 3:2). This precise dating emphasizes the importance and solemnity of the undertaking. It wasn't a haphazard project, but a divinely ordained endeavor carried out with intentionality and purpose.
Details and Dimensions: A Glimpse into God's Dwelling
The detailed descriptions of the temple's size, utensils, and furniture in these chapters might seem overwhelming at first glance. However, they serve to highlight the meticulous care and lavish resources dedicated to building a house worthy of the Lord. These details culminate in the description of the most holy place (2_Chronicles 3:8), also known as the Holy of Holies.
This inner sanctuary housed the Ark of the Covenant, topped with the mercy seat, representing God's throne and the place of atonement. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter this sacred space to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. Imagine the weight of responsibility, the palpable sense of God's presence, and the hope for forgiveness that filled that moment.
The two gold cherubim, standing over the ark with a combined wingspan of thirty feet, must have created an atmosphere of awe and reverence (2_Chronicles 3:10-13). Their outstretched wings, touching both each other and the walls of the most holy place, symbolized God's protection, presence, and the encompassing nature of His glory.
More Than a Building
II Chronicles 3 isn't just about the construction of a building; it's about establishing a place where God and His people could connect. It's a testament to the importance of obedience, the power of sacrifice, and the magnificence of God's dwelling place. As we read these details, let us consider the dedication and resources that were poured into this sacred space, and reflect on how we can offer our lives as a dwelling place for God's presence today. Just as the temple was built on a foundation of faith, may our lives be built on the solid foundation of God's Word and our unwavering trust in Him.