by Josh Moody Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 3-5, Psalm 139, Luke 10:17-24, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 2 Chronicles 3-5: So Solomon begins to build the temple, and starts in the second month of the fourth year of his reign (3:1-2). The precise measurements are listed in great detail throughout these chapters, as well as descriptions of the ornamentation and valuable materials; all was in great quantity and a statement of honor to God. This work is all done for the house of the LORD, and all the things that David had dedicated are brought in—the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries (5:1). It is all finished. It is also glorious. The ark of the covenant is brought up (5:1-14). In it is nothing but the two stone tablets that Moses put there at Horeb (5:10), and the song that is sung is a refrain from the same song that David sang when the ark was brought up to Zion (1 Chron. 16:34):

For he is good, for his steadfast love [the hesed, covenant love] endures forever (2 Chron. 5:13).

And the house of the LORD is “filled with a cloud” (5:13), the “shekinah” glory of God, “for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God” (5:14). It is worth reminding ourselves at this point of the meaning of the temple, then: it displays the glory of God, the presence of God, the means of access to God through the sacrificial rituals performed there. And its fulfillment is in Christ, who declared that he himself was the temple (John 2:19-22). Our access to God is now through Christ and faith in him. And in Christ is the shekinah glory of God, where God’s presence was tabernacled, dwelt, in fullness of deity. His person is far more glorious than even Solomon’s temple, and the access which we have in Christ is the fulfillment of this shadow of the Old Testament, and thereby gives us great freedom and confidence to approach God through faith in Christ—wherever we live, whether in Jerusalem or some suburb of some small city. He is good! His love endures forever! Even until today. Rejoice in him and be glad. You can approach God through Christ freely and boldly and find help for your time of need (Heb. 4:16). To receive God Centered Bible devotionals directly in your inbox, sign up here.]]>