2 Crônicas 3

2 Crônicas 3

Morgan - 2 Chron. 3.1 In this, Solomon was carrying out the instructions and intention of his father. The site chosen, as we observed in a previous note, was full of suggestiveness. In the place where judgment was merged in mercy, the House of God was to stand. In this chapter and the next, we have the account of the building and furnishing of the Temple. In all fundamental essentials, it was on the pattern of the Tabernacle which Moses had made according to the pattern given him by God. Its proportions and relations were identical, but it was larger. Its symbolism was exactly the same, though its material magnificence was far greater. Nothing of ornamentation was admitted which would have interfered with the express command that no attempt was to be made to make anything as a likeness of God. Its structure was representative of the way of man's approach to God, rather than revelative of is nature. That was a mystery beyond the comprehension of the finite mind, and it was a distinguishing element in the Hebrew religion that it made no attempt to explain. "When the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman." Then, He explained Himself, for this Son was "the effulgence of His glory, and the very image of His sub-stance." In Him judgment merged in mercy. Thus He became all the Temple symbolized, and infinitely more than it was ever permitted to suggest. He is the way of approach to God, and the revelation of God. James Butler - LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE 2 Chronicles 3:1 (Sermon Starters) “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” (2 Chronicles 3:1). The place where Solomon built the Temple was a most significant place. Note three things about the place. FIRST—THE PLACE OF MERCY The mercy was that which God showed Israel after David’s sin of numbering the people. David was given three choices for his punishment (2 Samuel 24:13–15). He selected pestilence which brought death to thousands of Israelites. The death angel was about to come upon Jerusalem and God stopped the angel and the judgment at Mount Moriah known then as the “threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.” This was located just north of Jerusalem and later was incorporated into Jerusalem when the city grew. The place was a place of Divine mercy where God stopped the pestilence and spared rest of Israel from judgment which was for David’s numbering the people. This being a place of mercy was indeed a place where the Temple, which emphasized the mercy of God through the sacrifices, was to be built. SECOND—THE PLACE OF MONEY One of the significant things that happened at the threshingfloor, when David came to it to acknowledge the mercy of God in stopping the death angel from going any father with the pestilence, was David’s refusal to take free from Oman the things necessary to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. David said he would pay “full price” (1 Chronicles 21:24) for the things necessary for the sacrifice—altar, animal etc. David was not looking for a discount in the Lord’s work but was willing to pay the full price for his devotion to the Lord. Would that all believers were this way in their dedication to God. But so many are looking for ‘free’ handouts from God rather than showing their willingness to sacrifice for God. They are more interested in what the church can give them than in what they can give the church. THIRD—THE PLACE OF MANIFESTATION There were two important spiritual manifestations at this site. • The manifestation of the Lord. “Where the LORD appeared unto David.” We do not appreciate as we ought the manifestation of God to mankind. Such a manifestation involves revelation of the Divine Word of God. In this case it made known to David his duties. • The manifestation of the Lamb. Abraham in obedience to God’s order took Isaac to Moriah (Genesis 22:2) to sacrifice him. Just as Abraham was ready to plunge the knife into Isaac to kill the sacrifice, God stopped him and revealed to him a ram (male sheep/lamb) to offer instead of Isaac. What a fitting place for the Temple to be built that would through its sacrifices reveal the lamb of God (Genesis 22:8) which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Warren