Today, we return to 2nd Chronicles 2:1-5:1. We saw earlier that Solomon “firmly established himself over his kingdom – for the LORD his God was with him” (verse 1). In this section, we see once again that Solomon asked for “wisdom and knowledge to govern God’s people” (verse 11), which pleased God. So “God said He would give Solomon wisdom, knowledge, wealth, riches, and honor – such as no king ever had … or would have” (verse 12). This is where we see Solomon’s kingdom as a mini-picture of Christ’s future kingdom – he “made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills” (verse 15). Solomon’s opulence will be outdone only by Christ’s future kingdom. In chapter 2, we see Solomon’s preparation for temple construction. It was to be “great, because our God is greater than all other gods” (verse 5). Hiram, king of Tyre, provided Solomon with supplies and experienced workers – in exchange for “wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine” (verse 15). Chapter 3 covers the construction of the temple; we notice that Solomon “overlaid the interior with pure gold, paneled pine covered with gold, precious stones, golden decorations, and carved cherubim” (verses 4-7). Think of it! The building was filled with skillful and artistic beauty – revealing to us God’s preference for glory. In chapter 4, we see the temple furnishings – a huge bronze sea resting on twelve bronze bulls; golden lampstands and tables; and a golden altar. Chapter 5, verse 1 tells us that, “when the work was finished, Solomon brought in all the silver and gold things his father David had dedicated and placed them in the temple treasury.”
Psalm 97 is a declaration about the majestic reign of our God. His glory is mysterious and beyond our capability to understand - which is why He is God. What kind of a god could be comprehensible or manageable by his creatures? Clearly, one who is no god at all - even by definition! We note the mysterious elements that surround His majesty … “clouds, thick darkness, righteousness, justice, fire, and lightning” (verses 2-3). What do we really know about any of these elements? He is the “Most High over all the earth” (verse 9), and we are to “praise His holy name” (verse 12).
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13, Paul continues his discourse about the Corinthian problem of offensive behavior in the church. This problem was so pervasive in Corinth that Paul took four chapters to cover it. In chapter 10, Paul warns the believers with examples from Israel’s history – specifically, that “God was not pleased with most of the Israelites – whose bodies were left scattered over the desert for setting their hearts on evil things” (verses 3-6). Here as well, we read an interesting expression - “the fulfillment of the ages has come upon us” (verse 11). Jesus is the fulfillment [or culmination] of all the ages; interestingly, Paul tells us that Jesus Himself was present in the wilderness wanderings (verse 4), but the Israelites, who “ate and drank” from Him (verse 3), were “idolaters, revealers, and grumblers,” - they rejected Him in the wilderness – and later, their descendants rejected Him in Jerusalem. Jesus first came as the culmination of the ages, but He comes again to restore all things (cf., Acts 3:21-22). Paul reminds us – “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (verse 12). We are most apt to fall when we think we are secure. Only God can keep us from falling.
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