Milo

MARCH 30

Reading 89

SOLOMON’S ACHIEVEMENTS 2 Chronicles 5–9

“May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which You said You would put Your Name there” (2 Chron. 6:20).Solomon’s early concern for God’s glory, and the wisdom that attracted rulers of surrounding nations, serves as an example of the ministry of the Davidic Ruler yet to be born.

Background

Types.

A “type” is an Old Testament person, event, or institution that corresponds in some significant way with a New Testament person, event, or institution. Solomon, as one who became king in accordance with God’s promise to David, corresponds in some ways to THE Descendant of David, Jesus Christ, who will fulfill all elements of that promise and rule forever. The Chronicler selected those achievements of Solomon which exemplify the ministry of the coming Messiah. Specifically the Chronicler draws our attention to Solomon’s concern for God’s glory, shown in the dedication of the temple. He also draws our attention to the fact that Solomon’s fame spread across the ancient world, and drew Gentiles to Israel. As Isaiah 60 says of the Messianic Age, “Nations will come to Your light, and kings to the brightness of Your dawn. . . . And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord” (vv. 3, 6). In these things at least Solomon is a type, or example, of the Messiah that the Chronicler was sure would come.

Overview

Solomon’s concern for God was shown in bringing the ark to the temple (5:1–14), in praising God for fulfilling His promise (5:1–11), in dedicating the temple with prayer (vv. 12–42) and sacrifice (7:1–10), and was confirmed by God’s appearance to Solomon (vv. 11–22). The prominence of Solomon’s kingdom (8:1–18), fame (9:1–12), and splendor (vv. 13–31), suggest the glories of a messianic kingdom to come.

Understanding the Text

“The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple” 2 Chron. 5:1–14. When construction was complete, the temple furnishings were carried in by the priests. The occasion was one of great celebration. Every priest was consecrated in order to carry out the massive sacrifices. The most significant act was placing the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies, where it would remain, unseen except once each year by the high priest. The temple, bright with the beauty of the gold and craftsmanship lavished on it, was nothing apart from the presence of the ark within it. All its beauty was a tribute to that object which symbolized the forgiving presence of God. Today God is present within the hearts of believers. No miracle of medical science can scan our hearts and detect the divine Spirit. But, like Solomon, we can lavish concern on providing the Lord with as beautiful and holy a residence as possible. Through the beauty of our lives others may sense the reality of the God within, who is the source of all our love and goodness. “While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there” 2 Chron. 6:1–11. Like Solomon, the believer today speaks both to other human beings and to God. What do we say to others? Solomon’s theme as he spoke to all Israel was simple. “God is faithful.” God had promised David that Solomon would sit on his throne, and that Solomon would build a temple for the name of the Lord. What God said had now been fulfilled. So Solomon reminded Israel of the divine promise, and praises God for His faithfulness. When we share our faith with others it’s usually more effective to witness to God’s faithfulness than to engage in a theological argument. We too can testify that God has kept His Word to us, and point others to the promises He makes to them in Christ. “Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord” 2 Chron. 6:12–42. What do we learn from what Solomon said to the Lord? For one thing, we learn that there is no situation in which God’s people cannot call on God to forgive, and to restore lost blessings. “My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” 2 Chron. 7:1–16. Solomon dedicated the temple to the Lord, and in response fire fell from heaven and the glory of the Lord, as a visible cloud, filled it. This evidence that God chose to dwell in the temple moved an awestruck Israel to worship and praise. This was undoubtedly what some have called a “mountaintop experience.” It was a moment in time when God’s people experienced His presence; when they felt especially close to the Lord and were, for the moment, wholly dedicated to Him. The problem with mountaintop experiences is that sooner or later we find ourselves again in the valley. The emotion fades; the pressures of daily life intrude. All too often we even make unwise choices and wander from God’s pathway. Then, suddenly, we realize we’ve lost that intense glow, that sense of dedication, that overpowering love for God, we felt on the mountaintop. How do we recover after we’ve wandered deep into some dark valley? After God had revealed His glory to an ecstatic Israel, He gave this prescription to Solomon. “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” There is a way back. Humble yourself. Pray and seek God’s face. Turn from wicked ways. God promises to hear, to forgive, and to heal. God remains on the mountaintop, as His presence remained in the Jerusalem temple. However deep our valley, God invites us to turn, and climb back to Him. “Pharaoh’s daughter” 2 Chron. 8:1–11. In ancient times treaties were frequently sealed by the marriage of a royal daughter to a foreign king. However, Egypt resisted this custom. The fact that Solomon was given Pharaoh’s daughter in marriage is strong evidence of the reputation, power, and glory of Israel and of Solomon himself. “You have far exceeded the report I heard” 2 Chron. 8:12–9:30. The splendor of Solomon’s kingdom and his worldwide reputation exemplifies the influence David’s future, greater Son will have. The Chronicler emphasized Solomon’s successes, but the story of the visit by the Queen of Sheba is particularly important. She represents all the Gentiles, who will come to Jerusalem in the Messiah’s day to learn from the One who will fulfill all God’s promises to David. The story is significant for us too. We are to attract non-Christians to Jesus by the quality of our lives. The sour believer who grimly confronts every acquaintance with real or supposed sins is not the kind of witness God calls to the stand to testify to His goodness.

DEVOTIONAL

When to Pray (2 Chron. 6)

The better we know God, the more comfortable we are in prayer. This simple truth is illustrated in Solomon’s prayer dedicating the Jerusalem temple. Solomon understood completely that God is transcendent. “The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You,” Solomon cried. “How much less this temple I have built?” Yet Solomon also realized that God is present, here and now. “Will God really dwell on earth with men?” The wonderful and amazing answer is, “Yes!” And, in Solomon’s day, the symbol of that vital, living presence of God with men was the temple God had chosen as the place to put His name. But do we truly realize that God, who is too great to be contained in the vast universe, is with us always? Or do we at times forget His commitment to be “with men”? Certainly when we’ve sinned, or fallen short in some awful way and are overcome by shame, we’re likely to feel far from God. And even to feel that He has left us too. Perhaps that’s why Solomon goes on in his prayer to list occasion after occasion when God’s hand would lie heavy on Israel, and to ask that then, when Israel is furthest from God, He might hear “when a prayer or plea is made by any of Your people Israel.” What a reminder for us, as we read Solomon’s long list of times when there is a need to pray but we may hesitate in fear or doubt. God has committed Himself to be “with men.” Because God transcendent is also God present with us, we can come to Him even when we feel farthest away, and know that He hears our prayer.

Personal Application

God is never farther than a prayer away.

Quotable

“Come now, little man! Flee for a while from your tasks, hide yourself for a little space from the turmoil of your thoughts. Come, cast aside your burdensome cares, and put aside your laborious pursuits. For a little while give your time to God, and rest in Him for a little while. Enter into the inner chamber of your mind, shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek Him.”—Anselm of Canterbury

2 Chronicles

MARCH 29

Reading 88

SOLOMON’S TEMPLE 2 Chronicles 1–4“Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the Lord” (2 Chron. 2:1).The temple Solomon built was not large, but in quality and workmanship it was the best he could create. We need not do great things for God. But whatever we offer Him should represent the best that we can do.

Definition of Key Terms

Temple.

The Jerusalem temple, which housed the ark of the covenant, symbolized God’s presence with His people. All the religious celebrations and all Israel’s sacrifices were to be held there, in the presence of the Lord. Because the temple was fully identified with the public worship of God, the attitude of a king toward the temple was an urate measure of his piety. A major feature of the revivals led by godly kings was always purification and/or repair of the temple, and revitalization of temple worship. This fact is reflected in 2 Chronicles, which in each description of Judah’s godly kings emphasizes the ruler’s restoration of temple rites. The emphasis on the temple in the Chronicles reflects conditions in the writer’s day. A small group of Jews had ventured back to Judah from Babylon, intent on rebuilding the temple. After years of delay the temple was completed, but only after the Prophet Haggai reminded the Jews that the promised Messiah, the descendant of David destined to reestablish Israel, would come to God’s house and fill it with glory (Hag. 2:6–9). Thus the temple must be ready, and God’s people must worship there while awaiting the promised Offspring of David. The writer’s purpose in the Chronicles, then, was to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His promises to David, and to encourage worship while waiting expectantly for God to keep the rest of the Davidic Covenant. The Jews must gather around God and His temple and wait. Cherubim. The word seems to be a general term for various winged, supernatural beings who symbolize the holiness of God (cf. Ezek. 1:4–14; 10:1–22). We have no clear evidence to suggest how they were depicted on the inner walls of the Jerusalem temple.

Overview

Solomon pleased God by asking for wisdom to lead the Lord’s people (1:1–17). He ordered construction of a temple dedicated to God (2:1–10), and obtained help from King Hiram of Tyre (vv. 11–18). The temple (3:1–17) and its golden decorations and furnishings (4:1–22) are described.

Understanding the Text

“Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom” 2 Chron. 1:1–13. Solomon had flaws. But 2 Chronicles focuses our attention on Solomon’s concern for Israel’s spiritual welfare, demonstrated in his building of the temple. In this and other ways Solomon foreshadowed the King yet to come from David’s line. The similarity is emphasized when we first meet Solomon. He had been appointed ruler, and immediately called all Israel together to worship the Lord. When invited by God to ask for a gift, he chose “wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people.” The selfless request pleased God, who granted him wisdom, and added the riches and honor which Solomon had not requested. The story emphasizes aspects of Christlikeness that are to characterize us as well. We too are to bring others to meet and worship the Lord. We too are to put others first, and seek gifts that enable us to serve. “The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones” 2 Chron. 1:14–17. First Kings devotes considerable space to descriptions of Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and commercial ventures. Second Chronicles hardly mentions these, but goes into great detail about Solomon’s concern for the temple. To this commentator on history, the spiritual is far more important than material splendor. The Chronicler’s emphasis is a valid reminder that none of our worldly accomplishments are as significant as our spiritual achievements. “The temple I am going to build will be great” 2 Chron. 2:1–18. The chapter lists some of the preparations Solomon made. The number of men involved, as well as the vast amounts of timber, stone, and precious metals, are impressive. Yet Solomon clearly expressed a basic truth. The temple would be great “because our God is greater than all other gods.” It’s true that God deserves our best. But it is important to remember that God Himself is our glory, not the monuments we erect to Him. The Jerusalem Temple. The wonder of the Jerusalem temple was not in its size, but in the wealth and workmanship expended on it. The temple was long and narrow. At 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 40 feet high, it was about the size of a modern suburban house. The description given here in 2 Chronicles 3–4 does not provide enough details for an accurate portrayal, but the temple probably looked much like the drawing above.

DEVOTIONAL

Come Share (2 Chron. 2)

The women who ran our Backyard Bible Clubs were concerned. A number of the clubs were held in neighborhood homes where the moms weren’t Christians. Now some of those moms wanted to teach! In some ways their doubts must have reflected Solomon’s as he wrote to Hiram, king of Tyre. Though Tyre had maintained friendly relationships with David, the two nations were of diverse race and religion. Yet Solomon’s letter not only offered to purchase lumber and hire workmen, but even requested a skilled metalworker to supervise his Hebrew artisans! In effect Solomon invited Hiram to have a significant role in constructing a temple dedicated to Israel’s God! Two things are striking about this passage. Solomon went to a Gentile to help him build God’s temple. And that Gentile acknowledged God as no mere local deity, but the One “who made heaven and earth.” Israel had an exclusive relationship with the Lord, rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant and confirmed in history by God’s acts on His people’s behalf. Yet Isaiah spoke frequently of a day when Gentiles will flock to God, called by the bright light of Israel’s Messiah (Isa. 11:10; 42:6; 49:6). The temple of Israel was to be a temple for all mankind. As Jeremiah 16:19 predicts: To You the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” That day of universal salvation is foreshadowed in the fact that God permitted the Gentile Hiram of Tyre to contribute so much to the Jerusalem temple. And the conversion of the Gentiles is foreshadowed by Hiram’s recognition of God as Maker of heaven and earth. Interestingly, the women who ran our Backyard Bible Clubs decided to make the hostesses “teacher’s helpers.” In that role several, like Hiram of old, came to know the Lord.

Personal Application

When others seem responsive to God, welcome them.

Quotable

“Take care not to frighten away by stern rigor poor sinners who are trying to lay bare the shocking state of their souls. Speak to them rather of the great mercy of God, and make easy for them what is at best a difficult task. Be especially gentle with those who from weakness of age or sex have not the courage to confess the ugly things they have done. Tell them whatever they have to say will be no news to you. Sometimes people are helped by your telling them about your own lamentable past.”—Francis Xavier

2 Chronicles

INTRODUCTION

Second Chronicles continues the postexilic author’s commentary on history. The author showed that God was faithful to His promise to David, whose descendants held the throne of Judah in an unbroken line. The author also evaluated each king by his dedication to God, expressed in his concern for the temple built by Solomon. None of these kings fulfilled God’s promise of a ruler from David’s line destined to establish a righteous, eternal kingdom. So the tiny Jewish community in Judah was to look ahead expectantly, and continue to serve the Lord until the promised Ruler came.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	Solomon, the Temple Builder	2 Chron. 1–9
II.	Role Call of Judah’s Kings	2 Chron. 10–36

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge – Or he shall exercise the office of a judge, or umpire. This “literally” refers to the God of Jacob Isaiah 2:3, though it is clear that the meaning is, that he will do it by the Messiah, or under his reign. One office of a judge is to decide controversies; to put an end to litigations, and thus to promote peace. The connection shows that this is the meaning here. Nations that are contending shall be brought to peace by the influence of the reign of the Messiah, and shall beat their swords into plowshares. In other words, the influence of the reign of the Messiah shall put a period to wars, and reduce contending nations to peace.

And shall rebuke – Shall “reprove” them for their contentions and strifes.

Lowth: ‘Shall work conviction in many peoples.’

Noyes: ‘He shall be a judge of the nations,

And an umpire of many kingdoms.’

He shall show them the evil of war; and by reproving them for those wicked passions which cause wars, shall promote universal peace. This the gospel everywhere does; and the tendency of it, if obeyed, would be to produce universal peace. In accordance with predictions like these, the Messiah is called the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6; and it is said that of his peace there shall be no end; Isaiah 9:7.

And they shall beat … – They shall change the arts of war to those of peace; or they shall abandon the pursuits of war for the mild and useful arts of husbandry; compare Psalm 46:9; Hosea 2:20. A similar prophecy is found in Zechariah 9:10. The following extracts may serve to illustrate this passage: ‘The Syrian plow, which was probably used in all the regions around, is a very simple frame, and commonly so light, that a man of moderate strength might carry it in one hand. Volney states that in Syria it is often nothing else than the branch of a tree, cut below a bifurcation, and used without wheels. The plowshare is a piece of iron, broad but not large, which tips the end of the shaft. So much does it resemble the short sword used by the ancient warriors, that it may, with very little trouble, be converted into that deadly weapon; and when the work of destruction is over, reduced again to its former shape, and applied to the purposes of agriculture.’

Their spears – Spears were much used in war. They were made of wood, with a sharpened piece of iron or other metal attached to the end. The pruning-hook, made for cutting the limbs of vines or trees, is, in like manner, a long piece of wood with a crooked knife attached to it. Hence, it was easy to convert the one into the other.

Pruning-hooks – Hooks or long knives for trimming vines. The word here, however, means anything employed in “reaping or mowing,” a sickle, or a scythe, or any instrument to “cut with,” as well as a pruning-hook. These figures, as images of peace, are often used by the prophets. Micah M1 Corinthians 4:4 has added to this description of peace in Isaiah, the following:

But they shall sit

Every man under his vine,

And under his fig-tree;

And none shall make them afraid:

For the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

Joel Joe 3:10 has reversed the figure, and applied it to war prevailing over peace:

Beat your plowshares into swords;

And your pruning-hooks into spears.

The same emblems to represent peace, which are used here by Isaiah, also occur in pagan poets. Thus Martial; Epigr. xiv. 34:

Falx ex ense.

Pax me certa ducis placidos conflavit in usus,

Agricolae nunc sum, militis ante fui.

So Virgil; Georg. 1,507:

Squalent abductis arva colonis,

Et curvae rigidum falces conflantur in ensem.

So also Ovid; Fast. 1,699:

Sarcula cessabunt, versique in pila ligones.

Nation shall not lift up … – This is a remarkable prediction of universal peace under the gospel. The prediction is positive, that the time will come when it shall prevail. But it has not yet been fully accomplished. We may remark, however, in relation to this:

(1) That the tendency of the gospel is to promote the arts, and to produce the spirit of peace.

(2) It will dispose the nations to do right, and thus to avoid the occasions of war.

(3) It will fill the mind with horror at the scenes of cruelty and blood that war produces.

(4) It will diffuse honor around the arts of peace, and teach the nations to prize the endearments of home and country, and the sweet scenes of domestic life.

(5) Just so far as it has influence over princes and rulers, it will teach them to lay aside the passions of ambition and revenge, and the love of conquest and ‘glory,’ and indispose them to war.

(6) The tendency of things now is toward peace. The laws of nations have been established under the gospel. Difficulties can even now be adjusted by negotiation, and without a resort to arms.

(7) Wars are far less barbarous than they were formerly. The gospel has produced humanity, mildness, and some degree of justice even in war. It has put an end to the unmerciful treatment of prisoners; has prevented their being sold as slaves; has taught even belligerents not to murder women and children.

(8) Nothing remains to be done to make peace universal but to send the gospel abroad through every land. When that is done, the nations will be disposed to peace; and the prophet, therefore, has predicted the universal prevalence of peace “only” when all nations shall be brought under the influence of the gospel.

March 8
SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US
Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779–1847
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)
Divine guidance is the very essence of Christianity. The Bible equates being guided by the Spirit of God with being a child of God (Romans 8:14). But even as our natural children can sometimes rebel against parental authority, so we too can forsake God’s leading in our lives and seek to go our own ways. God’s leading, then, doesn’t just happen. There must be the sincere desire and willingness to be guided. With implicit faith we must recognize that God has a planned path for each of His children, and we must deeply desire to follow that path wherever it leads. Scriptural promises such as Jeremiah 29:11 become our source of daily encouragement:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
The author of this popular hymn, Dorothy Thrupp, was born and lived in London, England. She was a rather prolific writer of children’s hymns and devotional materials although she seldom signed her name to any of her works. When she did, she would use a pseudonym. For this reason it has never been fully proven that she was the actual author of “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” The hymn first appeared unsigned in her collection Hymns for the Young, in 1836.
Savior, like a shepherd lead us; much we need Thy tender care; in Thy pleasant pastures feed us; for our use Thy folds prepare: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou has bought us, Thine we are; blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine—do Thou befriend us; be the Guardian of our way; keep Thy flock, from sin defend us; seek us when we go astray: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray; blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou has promised to receive us, poor and sinful tho we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and pow’r to free: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee; blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor; early let us do Thy will; blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us; love us still; blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.

For Today: Psalm 23; Proverbs 16:1, 3, 6, 9; Isaiah 40:11; John 10:14–16, 27

Walk the path one step at a time in the confidence of God’s leading and presence. Do not become burdened by the distant future. Sing this musical truth as you go—