Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
Significant is that the location of the temple was not only Arunah’s threshing floor (1 Chr 21), but Mount Moriah, which Abraham named “the LORD will provide” after he provided a ram so Abraham didn’t have to sacrifice Isaac. Here God would now provide atonement through the sacrificing of animals until one day sacrificing his own son to make that atonement full and permanent. The details of the temple were a reminder of Eden, and stress its magnificence. For example, its altar (mentioned only in passing in 1 Kings 7v48) is around four times bigger than that in the tabernacle. And the “sea” (bowl) used by the priests for washing, is seven and a half feet in diameter, holding 14,500 gallons of water (4v2-6 and NIV footnotes). Moreover, whereas the tabernacle had only one washbasin, lampstand and table, the temple has ten, as well as many other items and much bronze – a strong and particularly gleaming metal. The wonder of it all is stressed by the fact that everything “amounted to so much that the weight of bronze was not determined.” Christians are not called to construct elaborate buildings for God’s presence as he now resides within his people. But it is not wrong to spend money on glorifying God and building up the fellowship of his church (Mk 14v1-9). As you read note how what the details bring home.Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.