Message: Solomon's Accomplishments and Renown
Time: 2 Chronicles, like 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and was separated into 2 books in 200 BC when the Septuagint was translated. This book focuses on Judah from 971-586 BC. The chronicler focused on the blessings God bestowed when leaders were faithful to His law. It covers Solomon's ascension to the throne to Judah finally carried into exile in Babylon.
What the Lord is Saying: Today is Sunday morning, prior to church. This is when I begin this lesson though not sure what day it will be that it ends as my study of late is taking longer each day. I really enjoyed chapter 7 after I really enjoyed the prayer in chapter 6. Though for some strange reason those two lessons were over 6 weeks. I just get off doing too many different things in the morning. Not bad, just trading best for good.
Chapter 8, verse 1-2 - Solomon is done building the temple and his own house and now he moves to building "the cities which Huram (or Hiram) had given to him." Hiram, the king of Tyre, was a significant ally of Solomon. He now enlarges his territories, capturing and building cities "in all the land under his rule" (verse 6). The people not destroyed but left in these cities "Solomon raised as forced laborers" (verse 8). From the sons of Israel he made rulers over the people. He set up his government in the way he felt best. Laborers were needed and rulers. He was a leader and he led in the way he thought was best.
In verse 11, he establishes a house for his wife, separate from the holy places (house of David and where the ark of the Lord had entered).
In 12 and 13, "Solomon offered burnt offerings...according to the daily rule...for the sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts." This seems like an ordinance. Leviticus 1 details burnt offerings - "a male without defect (v.3)...to make atonement (v.4)...the priests shall offer up the blood and sprinkle the blood around the altar (v.5)...cut it into pieces (v.6)...offer up in smoke all of it on the altar for a burnt offering (v.9)...a soothing aroma to the Lord (v.9)." The animals can be from the herd (a young bull), from the flock, of the sheep or of the goats, or birds, the turtledoves or young pigeons. The daily rule references Exodus 29:38-42, "you shall offer...each day, continuously. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight...a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord. It shall be continual burnt offering throughout your generations." [Note: I went to a Greek Orthodox church 2 weeks ago and this is one thing I noticed - a soothing aroma in that place...the priest swung a Thymiato during services to burn incense, which symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.] I wonder if this is one reason we make sure we bathe and prepare ourselves with our best clothes for church (or our best presentation) so that our bodies might be a sweet aroma to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God." The goal of the burnt offering was to offer atonement which is made to turn away wrong and restore harmony with God. My belief is this offering must be outside of my self, like a lamb, or like Jesus, with the goal of it being an aroma or fragrance to God. Ephesians 5:2, "Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
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Now it is Monday. I really enjoyed learning about burnt offerings yesterday, the atonement and how Jesus replaced the animals that had been sacrificed daily. "For the death that he died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God." I have been speaking online to a young woman that sounds Muslim. She says Paul's words are the works of Satan. And yet there is a connection between the Old Testament offerings and the sacrifice of Jesus.
Solomon was committed to observing the religious practices instituted by God through Moses or the Torah. He mentions the daily rule of the burnt offering, the weekly Sabbath, the new moons (monthly festivals), and the three annual feasts -- the feast of Unleavened Bread (associated with Passover, commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12:17-20)), the Feast of Weeks (celebrated the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai; in the New Testament this was Pentecost which marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church, and the fulfillment of God's promise to write His Law on believer's hearts), and the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles, rejoicing and remembering Israel's wilderness wanderings, anticipating the future dwelling of God with His people).
I immediately think here that I wonder if we are this intentional in our celebrations yearly about commemorating God's activities or if we are more focused at times on our worldly reasons for gathering. Jehovah's Witnesses I understand do not celebrate any of the world's holidays including birthdays, citing all are pagan. This seems unnecessarily too radical and yet the idea to focus more on God seems admirable (even though I believe most of the JW doctrine to be an offense to God and His word; it has a questionable foundation).
These feasts were times of communal worship, thanksgiving, and remembrance of God's provision and deliverance.
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Now it is Tuesday and in verses 14-16 Solomon "appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their duties of praise and ministering before the priests according to the daily rule." And then in verse 16, "the house of the Lord was completed." Every detail has been addressed. The financial resources (storehouses) are present. The duties of praise makes me think of worship service and signing songs. Solomon's reign is marked by wisdom and wealth, where peace and prosperity abound.
In Chapter 9, the queen of Sheba arrives to question Solomon with riddles which was an intellectual exchange common in those times with kings to question their wisdom and discernment. "And Solomon answered all her questions" (verse 2). And seeing all he had done, "she was breathless" (verse 4). The queen of Sheba recognizes though that all this is because of the Lord God's blessing -- "Blessed be the Lor God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the Lord your God; because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness."
Israel has a special distinction and love by God. Deuteronomy 7:7-8, "The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the people, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you, and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
Solomon exemplified power, wealth, and influence during his reign. This chapter mentions his building projects and at the end identifies trade routes. Solomon leaned on Hiram for help in establishing sea commerce. Sheba came to test him and saw his immense wisdom and Solomon gave her gifts. Yet, through all of this activity Solomon was also committed to the religious practices. He was a strong businessman and leader, but also very committed in his faith and obedience.
Summary: Solomon demonstrates his power, wealth, and influence while also showing his commitment to worshipping God daily and seeking forgiveness for his sins.
Promise: From Tabletalk, the Lord often rewards His people materially when they serve Him.
Prayer: O God, you set apart people for your service and here with Solomon he responds by building the house of the Lord, his house, setting up every detail and along the way continues to worship and praise you through daily offerings. I know you have blessed me and I focus on You through my time in serving You and worshipping You. Yet Lord, I pray that this is done well and correctly. I struggle at times with daily prayers. I do praise your name and am thankful for your blessings. I'm thankful for that which you established in me. I pray for others and want to see change and am in discouragement when this does not occur. It is hard to keep fighting the fight. It is hard at times to press on. Last night, I simply wanted the distraction and so turned on the TV and watched shows with Pamela, maybe with a desire to escape things I had heard that concern me. I shy away from this Lord. Forgive me Lord for my doubts. Help me and make yourself known to my family always. I want to rest in You. I thank you for my wife and all those before me that seek you and pray that your will is continually done.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
