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
With the manifestation of his glory that may have remained in the temple throughout, and the consuming of the sacrifices, God signalled his approval of Solomon's great project. The people rightly worshipped face-down, joining the musicians in thanking God for his goodness and love. Worship is always the most fitting response to a revelation of God’s glory and special presence.The king and people then offered 44,000 animals - a huge display of devotion and of the necessity of atonement if God is to dwell amongst his people. The implication is that this “dedicated” the temple to God, perhaps by reflecting devotion or by making atonement. Solomon also “consecrated” the courtyard, and some time after that God appeared to him at night, affirming his choice of the temple, but also warning that if he (and one presumes his descendants) turned away, God would uproot Israel and reject the temple. Unique to the Chronicler's account is God’s promise that if after suffering his judgement the people humbly pray and turn from their sin, he will forgive them and heal the land. This would remind the post-exilic readers of this need if they were to see the kingdom thrive again, and reminds Christians that with such repentance they will receive a healed creation, and might even see their own nation prosper (Jer 18v7-8). Building of the temple and palace took twenty years, and only then did Solomon rebuild other parts of the kingdom and establish its territories. There is a lesson here about prioritising the building of the church (see Haggai). We read too that the priests and Levites didn’t deviate from Solomon’s commands “in any matter” - a model for us before Christ. And Solomon’s concern for what was right was such that he would not even have his Egyptian wife live in David’s palace because it had been made holy by the ark’s presence, and so, in not being an Israelite, she would defile it. As you read note what there was to rejoice in.
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.