生命之道

Author: 杨 全荣

  • 2 Chronicles 10 – 36

    2 Chronicles 10 – 36

    King

    Good

    Bad

    Rehoboam (41+17)

    Prophets: Shemaiah, Iddo

    11:2 He obeyed God’s command when God told him not to flight with brothers

    11:17 walked in the ways of David and Solomon

    12:12 He repented and God forgave him

    10:14 listened to young friend instead of elder and put heavy burden on people. As a result 10 tribes decided to follow Jeroboam and the kingdom devided into two

    12:1 Abandon the Law

    12:14 didn’t set his heart to seek God

    Abijah (?+3)

    Prophets: Iddo

    13:10 “the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him.”

    13:11 Unlike Jeroboam who worshipped golden calves, Abijah lead his people to worship God in the temple by following God’s law

    13:12 “God is with us; He is out Leader…. do not flight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

    13:14 Even though Abijah was outnumbered by Jeroboam’s troops, he trusted in God (13:12) and cried out to God during the battle, and God gave him victory over Jeroboam.

    12:21 He married fourteen wives

    Asa (?+41)

    Prophets: Oded, Azariah, Hanani

    14:2-3 “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles”

    14:4 He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey His laws and commands.

    14:5 He removed the high places and incense altars in every town of Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him.

    14:11 Called on God when being attacked by the Cushite and God struck down the Cushites. Asa’s prayer: “There is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in Your Name we have come against this vast army.”

    15:8 Removed idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.

    15:16 Deposed grandma who worshiped idol

    16:2-7 When being attacked by Baasha king of Israel, King Asa made treaty with Ben-Hadad king of Aram instead of relying on God.

    16:10 Asa was angry with the seer and put him prison.

    16:10 Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.

    16:12 Even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.

    Jehoshaphat(35+25)

    Prophets: Jehu, Eliezer, Jahaziel

    17:3-6 walked in the ways of David. Sought God. Removed Asherah poles.

    17:9 Taught God’s law to Judah

    18:4 Desired to seek the counsel of God when Ahab asked him to go to war against Ramoth Gilead

    19:3 set his heart on seeking God

    19:4 went from Beersheba to Ephraim and turned people back to God

    19:9 taught the leaders to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of God

    19:10 warned the people not to sin against God

    20:3 Led the people, all men with their wives and children (20:13) to fast and pray to God when attacked by Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites

    20:6 He is a man of prayer (see 20:20), a man who knows God. “You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations… We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” As a result, God fought the battle for them, God caused the enemies to attack each other (20:23).

    20:30 He is a great ruler, the kingdom was at peace, God had given him rest on every side.

    20:32 He walked in the ways of his father Asa. He did what was right in the eyes of God. However people still had not set their hearts on God.

    19:2 help the wicked and love those who hate God (Ahab). Made alliance with northern kingdom by marrying his son Jehoram with Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel

    20:36 He made alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel who was guilty of wickedness. They constructed a fleet of trading ships, but were destroyed by God.

    Jehoram (32+8)

    Prophets: Elijah (North)

     

    21:4 he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the princes of Israel

    21:6 He married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and followed in the ways of the kings of Israel

    21:6 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD

    21:10 Forsaken God

    21:11 built high places on the hills of Judah

    21:11 caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.

    21:14 God struck his family and people. He was lingering with disease of the bowels.

    21:16 God aroused Philistines and Arabs to attack Judah and carried off all the goods found in the king’s palace, together with his family.

    Ahaziah (22+1)

     

    22:3 walked in the ways of the house of Ahab

    22:3 his mother encouraged him in doing wrong

    22:4 did evil in the eyes of the LORD

    22:4 made people from King Ahab as his advisors

    22:5 partnered with Joram son of King Ahab to war against Hazel king of Aram

    Athaliah (?+6)

     

    22:3 encouraged her son Ahaziah in doing wrong

    22:10 destroyed the whole royal family of Judah

    22:12 self proclaimed first woman ruler for Judah

    24:7 her sons broken into the temple and used its sacred objects for Baals

    Joash (7+40)

    Prophets: Joel

    24:2 did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest

    24:4,13 restored the temple of the LORD according to its original design

    24:17 turned into a wicked King after the death of Jehoiada. He listened to officials who paid him homage, he abandoned the temple and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.

    24:19 did not listen to prophets of the LORD

    24:22 did not remember the kindness of Jehoiada, even killed Jehoiada’s son Zechariah

    24:25 killed by his own officials in his bed

    Amaziah (25+29)

    25:2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD

    25:2 but not wholeheartedly

    25:4 did not put his father’s killer’s son to death, but acted in accordance with Deut 24:16

    25:6 hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel for 100 talents of silver

    25:14 worshiped Edomites gods

    25:27 turned away from following the LORD

    Uzziah (16+52)

    Prophets: Isaiah, Zechariah

    26：4 did what was right in the eyes of the LORD

    26:5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah

    26:16 after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

    26:19 became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar, leprosy broke out on his forehead.

    26:21 had leprosy until the day he die. Lived in a separate house – leprous, and excluded from the temple.

    Jotham (25+16)

    Prophets: Isaiah, Micah

    27:1 did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike Uzziah he did not enter the temple.

    27:3 rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple and did extensive work on the wall at the hill of Ophel

    27:4 built towns in the Judean hills and forts and towers in the wooded areas

    27:6 grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God

     

    Ahaz (20+16)

    Prophets: Isaiah, Micah

     

    28:1 Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD

    28:2 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals

    28:3 He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations of the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

    28:4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the hight places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree

    28:6 one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah – because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers

    28:9 God was angry with Judah and gave them into the hand of Israel.

    28:16 ask for help from king of Assyria when attacked by Edomites

    28:19 promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD

    28:20 took some of the things from the temple and from the royal place and from the princes and presented them to the king of Assyria

    28:22 In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD

    28:23 offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus… for he thought,”Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.”

    28:24 gathered together the furnishings from the temple and took them way. Shut the doors of the temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem.

    28:25 In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and provoked the LORD.

    Hezekiah (25+29)Prophets: Isaiah, Micah

    29:2 did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done

    29:3 In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple and repaired them

    29:6-9 He recognized the sins of previous generation

    29:10 make a covenant with the LORD so that His fierce anger will turn away from us

    29:15-19 consecrated the entire temple29：35 reestablished the service of the temple

    30:1 sent word to all Israel and Judah inviting them to come to the temple and celebrate the Passover together.

    30:26 There was great joy in Jerusalem, there had been nothing like this since Solomon

    31:1 led Judah to smashed the sacred stones, cut down the Asherah poles, destroyed high places and the altars throughout Judah and Benjamin and in Ephraim and Manasseh.2 King 18:4 broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it.

    31:4 Ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion to the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. The people gave abundantly.

    31:20 doing what was good and right and faithful before God.

    31:21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

    32: 8 trust in God is with them and would fight the battles with Assyrians for them

    32:20 Prayed with Isaiah and God responded with an angel who annihilated the army of Assyrian (185,000 men).2 Kings 19:19 Hezekiah prayed to God to deliver them so that all kingdoms on earth may know that Yahweh alone are God.

    32:26 repented of the pride of his heart.

    32:29 He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches2 Kings 20:11 God listend to Hezekiah prayer, He made the shadow go back 10 steps

    32:25 He was sick and prayed to God, and God answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But his heart was proud and did not respond to the kindness shown him.2 Kings 20:13 Hezekiah was proud and shown his place and all the kingdom treasures to messengers from Babylon

    Manasseh (12+55)

    33:12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to God, God was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; s God brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.

    33:14 rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David

    33:15 got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple and all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city.33:16 restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD.

    33:2 did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites

    33:3 Rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them.

    33:4 built altars in the temple of the LORD

    33:5 built altars to all the starry hosts

    33:6 sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. Practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists.

    33:6 He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking Him in anger.

    33:7 He took the carved image of Asherah (2 Kings 21:7) he had made and put it in God’s temple.

    33:9 led Judah astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the?Israelite

    33:10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and His people, but they paid no attention.

    33:11 God brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in His nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon

    2 King 21:13 God said: “I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and hand them over to their enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their foes, because they have done evil in my eyes and have provoked me to anger from the day their forefathers came out of Egypt until this day.”

    2 Kings 21:16 He also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end

    2 Kings 23:26-27, 24:4 Although Manasseh has repented, God will choose to remove Judah from His presence.

    Amon (22+2)

    Only Jewish king bears the name of a foreign – an Egyptian deity.

    33:22 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.33:22 Worshiped and offered sacrifiecs to all the idols Manasseh had made.33:23 Unlike his father, he did not humble himself before the LORD, Amon increased his guilt

    Josiah (8+31)

    Prophets: Zephaniah, Huldah, Jeremiah, Nahum, Habakkuk

    34:2 did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.34:3 in the 8th year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.

    34:3 In his 12th year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.

    34:4 Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles, the idols and the images. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.

    34:5 He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and so he purged Judah and Jerusalem.

    34:6 In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them, he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel.

    34:8 In the 18th year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he repaired the temple of the LORD.

    34:21 Responded to the book of the law that was discover in the temple by seeking the LORD.

    34:27 Through the prophetess Huldah, God told Josiah because he humbled himself before God and tore his robes and wept in God’s presence, God have heard him, his eyes will not see all the disaster God was going to bring to Judah.

    34:31 Led the people in renewing the covenant with the LORD, which is to follow the LORD and keep His commands with all his heart and all his soul. He had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it.

    2 Kings 23:4 burn idol in Kidron Valley

    2 Kings 23:5 did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem – those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.

    2 Kings 23:7 tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitues, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah

    2 Kings 23:8 broke down the shrines at city gates

    2 Kings 23:10 desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could use it to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.

    2 Kings 23:11 moved from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun.

    2 Kings 23:12 burned the chariots dedicated to the sun.

    2 Kings 23:12-15 He pulled down the altars the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper room of Ahaz, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the temple of the LORD. He removed them from there, smashed them to pieces and threw the rubble into the Kidron Valley.The king also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the Hill of Corruption—the ones Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the people of Ammon.Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles and covered the sites with human bones.Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin—even that altar and high place he demolished. He burned the high place and ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole also

    2 Kings 23:20 moved and defiled all the shrines at the high places that the kings of Israel had built in the towns of Samaria that had provoked the LORD to anger.

    2 Kings 23:21 slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them.

    34:33 removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and He had all who were present in Israel serve the LORD. As long as he loved, they did not fail to follow the LORD.

    35: 18 The passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings had ever celebrated such a Passover.

    2 Kings 23:24 got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah

    2 Kings 23:25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as the did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

    35:21 Neco King of Egypt attacked Assyrians but Josiah decided to get involve in the battle and he was killed.

    Jehoahaz (23+3m, 3rd son of Josiah)

    Prophets: Jeremiah

     

    The first king of Judah to die in exile

    36:3 Neco king of Egypt dethroned him

    Jehoiakim (25+11, 2nd son of Josiah)

    Prophets: Jeremiah, Daniel, Urijah

    1st stage of exile.

    36:5 did evil in the eyes of the LORD 

    36:6 Nebuchadnezzar attacked and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon

    36:8 the detestable things he did…

    Jehoiachin (18+3m, son of Jehoiakim)

    Prophets: Jeremiah, Ezekiel

     

    2nd stage of exile.

    36:9 did evil in the eyes of the LORD

    36:10 Benuchadnezzar brought him to Babylon

    Zedekiah (21+11, 4th son of Josiah)

    Prophets: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel

     

    3rd stage of exile.

    36:12 did evil in the eyes of the LORD and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet

    36:13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath in God’s name. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn of the LORD.

    36:12 All the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 12

    2 Chronicles 12

    Discussions

    1. Rehoboam’s heart to follow God changed multiple times during his life. He obeyed God’s command not to flight against his brothers in the beginning of his reign (11:4), he led the people for three years walking in the ways of David and Solomon (11:17), but then he abandoned the law of God, unfaithful to God after he became strong (12:1). As a result God raised up Shishak king of Egypt to attack Jerusalem (12:2). Then Rebohoam humbled himself before God (v6). God sawed that Judah humble themselves, he spared them but still let them subject to Egypt, so that they may learn the difference between serving God and serving the kings of other lands (v8). Because Rehoboam humbled himself, he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah (v12). However at the end of his reign of 16 years, he did evil again because he had not set his heart on seeking God (v14). What lesson could we learn from the life of Rehoboam?
  • 2 Chronicles 11

    2 Chronicles 11

    Discussions

    1. Jeroboam rejected the priests of God, he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he had made (15). Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking God, followed the Levites to Jerusalem. They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam three years, walking in the ways of David and Solomon during this time (v17). When we see God’s people rejected God and worship idols, what should be our reaction? When there are division in God’s kingdom, who should we follow?
  • 2 Chronicles 8 – 10

    2 Chronicles 8 – 10

    Discussions

    1. Solomon received 666 talens of gold annually (9:1), made a great throne for himself (9:17); he was the greatest in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth (9:22); he had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots (9:25) and twelve thousand horses; he made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones; he married Pharaoh’s daughter (8:11); he put heavy yoke on the people (10:4). Do you think what he did please God? Please read Deut 17 before answer this question. Do you think what he did cause the division of the kingdom in chapter 10? Does the same principle apply to us today? If we do not follow Christ and obey His commands, what could happen to us?
    2. Rehoboam listen to the advise of his young friends instead of the elders (10:8), as the result ten tribes of Israel rebelled against him (10:19). What lesson could we learn from the event?
  • 2 Chronicles 7

    2 Chronicles 7

    The Glory of the Lord Filled the Temple

    What is glorious sign to witness when the glory of the LORD filled the magnificent temple (v2)! It was an exciting, new chapter in Jews history. The temple was one of the most magnificent building at that time, they could see the glory of God filled the temple! For many Jews, this may be the very first time they see God’s glory in their life! As a result, they knelt facedown to worship and give thanks to the LORD (v3)!

    Then God spoke to Solomon the second time (1st time in Gibeon in chapter 1). If Solomon walked before God and obeyed all of God’s commands, God will continue to establish his royal throne. If he turn away and forsake God’s commands and worshiped idols, God will uproot Israel from His land (v20). It is the same covenant that God had with the Jews before they enter the land of promised (Deut 28).

    Today, we need the glory of God to fill our churches. The glory of God is with us when the Lordship of Jesus is uphold in His church. That means we truly let Jesus to be the Lord of our life.

    When worship idols instead of Jesus, the glory of God will depart from us, and all we left is deserted temple without the glory of God.

    Discussions:

    1. When the temple was built, the glory of God filled the temple (7:1). And then God spoke to Solomon and warned him. If he walk before God as David his father did, God will establish his royal throne according to God’s covenant with David (7:18). If he turn way and forsake the decrees and commands of God, God will reject the temple (7:20). The same God’s principle can be applied to His church. In your local church, have you experience the glory of God? Have you seen the glory of God departed because of the disobedience of His people?
  • 2 Chronicles 3 – 4

    2 Chronicles 3 – 4

    Description of the Temple

    Illustration of Solomon’s Temple (from ESV Study Bible)

    The Temples of God

    The Tabernacle:

    The house of God in Israel for 400 years was only a tent. Most of the time it stood at Shiloh after entering canaan, and later it was in Gibeon (2 Chro 1:3). See Exodus chapter 25-40 for its description.

    Solomon’s Temple:

    The plan was revealed by God to David (1 Chro 28:12, 19), and built by Solomon (2 Chro 2-4). Its glory was short-lived. It was plundered within five years after Solomon’s death and was destroyed by Babylonians 340 years later, in 586 B.C.

    Zerubbabel’s Temple:

    Also known as the Second Temple. Built after the return from captivity, it stood for 500 years. Its construction is recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah.

    Herod’s Temple:

    This was the temple to which Christ came. It was an expansion of Zerubbabel’s Temple. It has taken Herod the Great 46 years (John 2:20) to build it.  It was a truly magnificent building of marble and gold, surrounded by courts and porticos. It was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. Jesus was furious when he saw the Jews had turned the temple into a market (John 2:16).

    Christ’s Body:

    Jesus called His body a temple (John 2:19-21). In Him God lived among men. Jesus said that earthly temples were not necessary to the worship of God (John 4:20-24)

    The Church:

    The church is a temple of God. God’s dwelling-place in the word. [Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. ] (1 Cor 3:16-17)

    Individual Christian:

    Each individual Christian is a temple of God. [Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;] (1 Corinthians 6:19)

    Ezekiel’s Temple:

    Ezekiel saw a temple in his vision (Ez 40-43). It was not an actual temple, but a vision of a future, ideal, restored temple.

    The Temple in Heaven:

    The tabernacle was a pattern of something in heaven. [But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.] (Heb 9:12).

    [For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.] (Heb 9:24).

    John saw a temple in Revelation 11: [Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.].

    Later, God and the Lamb had become the temple: [I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.] (Rev 21:22)

  • 2 Chronicles 1

    2 Chronicles 1

    Seek His Kingdom First

    v7: [That night God appeared to Solomon…] God appeared to Solomon because Solomon has the heart for God. He led the leaders of Israel to Gibeon to offer 1000 burn offerings to God (v6).

    v12: [I will also give you wealth, riches and honor…] God did not only give Solomon wisdom and knowledge, He also gave him wealth, riches and honor although Solomon did not ask for these, because God was pleased with Solomon’s heart to serve Him and His people (v10). Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge not for the benefits of himself, instead he desired to use the wisdom and knowledge to lead the great people of God (v10).

    When my son asked me for things so that he can help me to accomplish my plans, I am very pleased because his heart was thinking about his daddy. I would be so pleased that I would give him things that he did not ask.

    The Lord Jesus taught us the same principle: [But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well] (Matt 6:33). So when we pray to our heavenly Father, learned to ask for things for the benefits of God’s kingdom, because that is what pleases Him. And in His grace, He would choose to bless us with things we did not even ask.

    The Beginning of The Change of Heart of King Solomon

    v14-17:

    [Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem] (v14)

    We are not sure how much time has passed after Solomon’s encounter with God, but the incident in v14-17 shown us that Solomon has started to depart from following the commands of the LORD. He started to accumulate chariots and horses. As a King, Solomon is supposed to copy the pentateuch and obey God’s command (Deut 17:18).

    The law clearly states that:

    [The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”] (Deut 17:16)

    Solomon not only acquired horses, he acquired them form Egypt, which was specifically forbidden by God.

    Solomon had a great start by searching the kingdom of God first. However, he soon started to use his wisdom to build the kingdom of Israel but ignoring God’s command.

    We may have started in the right course with God, but we need to stay the course, and finish the course. The start, the journey, and the end are all important in God’s eyes.

  • 1 Chronicles 29

    1 Chronicles 29

    Give Willingly to the LORD for all comes from the LORD (v1-20)

    The temple of the Lord is built with gold, silver, bronze, iron and various precious stones (v2). In NT, we are God’s temple: [Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?] (1 Cor 3:16). Are you building your life with gold, silver and costly stones or with wood, hay and straw  (1 Cor 3:12)? The truth of our life as follower of Christ will be reveal on the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10).

    [who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?] (v5). A lot of people are willing to receive Christ because their sins will be forgiven. But how many believers are willing to consecrate himself to the LORD?

    v6-9: King David’s set an great example to give his personal treasures to the building of the temple (v3), the leaders also give willingly to the Lord (v6). [Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver] (2 Cor 9:7). Giving as followers of Christ is not a rule, but is an outward response of our love for Christ and the people that He loves.

    David’s prayer expressed the spirit of joyful giving beautifully: [All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever] (v17-18).

    King David acknowledged and proclaimed that everything comes from God (v14). When we give, we are giving what comes from God back to Him! It is like a child give a portion of his allowance back to his father. Our heavenly Father is a father of abundance, after all, the owns the whole world! He does not need anything from us, but our willing heart and expression in giving back to Him pleases Him (v16). When my son wanted to share a toy that I bought for him with me, I am pleased and filled with joy, not because of the toy, but because of my son’s heart for me.

    [my God, that you test the heart and are please with integrity]. God test our heart, He knows exactly what we think and where our heart is. Do not give (money or time or service) with the motive of letting other people think we love God like the Pharisees did (Matt 6).

    The Legacy of David (v26-30)

    [He ruled over Israel forty years…He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king] (v27).

    At every funeral, our count the legacy of the deceased. So ;et’s count David’s legacy:

    1. He united the nation of Israel
    2. He gave the people peace in their land
    3. He extended the borders of the kingdom
    4. He provided much of the wealth that was used to build the temple
    5. He instructed his son Solomon and the leaders to build the temple
    6. He purchased the site on the the temple would be built
    7. God gave David the plans for the temple
    8. He wrote many psalms for the Levites to sing as they worshiped God, for us to read and sing
    9. He organized the temple ministry and taught the people that the worship of God was the number one priority for them
    10. He made two two major sins in his life: 1)adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, 2) the census of Israel. We learned from his mistakes

    David lives an abundance life, because he was after God’s heart, and God blessed him. All of us will one day leave this world, what kind of legacy we want to leave behind? Is your life heading toward this direction? If not, it is still not too late to change, the Lord is asking: [Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD] (v5)?

     

  • 1 Chronicles 28

    1 Chronicles 28

    Plans for Building the Temple

    v1: David called all his leaders into Jerusalem for the announcement of building the temple.

    v2: It is interested that David called the leaders his brothers and his people. By calling the leaders who serve under him brothers, he put himself on the same level as them, even though he is the king. This is a reminder to the leaders in today’s church, God may have called you to be pastor or elder, but you are still at the same level at the rest of the church, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and there is only one head in the church, the Lord Jesus.

    v3: The tabernacle was the resting place of God on earth, now David had a strong desire in his heart to build a magnificent temple as the resting place of God. Today’s, God’s resting place is the Church of Jesus Christ. It is not a cathedral, but is the people who profess Jesus as Lord.

    v3: David did not hide the fact that God did not built him to actually build the temple, because he was a warrior and have shed blood.

    v4-8: David is preparing the people to support his son Soloman as his successor, as the 3rd King of Israel, who will carry out the responsibility to build the temple.

    v7-8: David reminded his son Soloman and his people that they need to follow all the commands of God, so that God will establish the Kingdom of Israel and the Land of Israel forever. However history told us that at the later stage of King Soloman life, he married married gentiles wife and worship their idols. The Jews also followed their king to worship idols. As a result, the kingdom of Israel fell apart and the land of Israel fell into the hands of the foreign kingdoms.

    v7-8: As the Church of Christ, we are called to follow our Lord Jesus and worship no idols.

    v9: [serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.] God knows our heart and the motives behind our thoughts and actions. Are you serving the Lord will the right motive? Are we serving the Lord for our own glory, or for the glory of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords?

    v11-19: Just like how God gave details instructions of the tabernacle, all the articles in the tabernacle, and service of the priests and levies in the court and the tabernacle, God had done it the second time with King David through His Spirit (v12). God has revealed to King David regarding the plans of the temple buildings (v12), the service of the priests and the Levites (v13), and the instructions of the articles within and around the temple (v14-18).

    v19: David had wrote down these revelations from God so that his son Soloman would know exactly how the temple would look like. Just like God had asked Moses to [make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you] (Ex 25:9), God is asking King Soloman to build the temple exactly like the pattern He had revealed to King David.

    v19: The building of the church of Christ is the same as the building of the tabernacle and the temple. We ought not to build His church based on our own understanding and worldly methods, but with the revelations from God, according to the patterns which He has revealed to us in the scriptures.

    v20-21: The father was encouraging the son on the building of this magnificent temple for God. King David encouraged Soloman [be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you]. The encouragement was almost the same as the encouragement from Moses to Joshua (Deut 31:7-8). Today’s many fathers spent too many time criticizing their children, instead, fathers need to encouragement their children to be strong and courageous. We need to encourage our children to be strong and courageous, do not afraid or get discourage when faced with challenges in life, because the Lord Jesus will never forsake them.

  • 1 Chronicles 26

    1 Chronicles 26

    Gatekeepers and Treasurers

    This chapter list the names of the gatekeepers, their duties was already described in chapter 9, verse 17-27. Although they had many duties, their chef duty is the guard the treasuries of the temple (9:26). It was a very important work, because all the treasures in Israel was stored in the storehouse in the temple. These treasures included the plunder taken in battle, and treasures dedicates by Israelites for the temple (v26-28).

    The treasurers were assigned to take care of the treasuries. Working together with the gatekeepers, they keep the treasuries.

    What are the treasures in the church today? I can think of many things but I like to focus on perhaps the most importance one: the teachings of Christ, the truth. A church needs gatekeepers to protect the truth. The enemies always is looking for gaps in the church to attack (2 Tim 4:4) the teaching of Christ, the job of the gatekeepers is to know the word of God well, and to guard the truth.