2 Chronicles 5:1-14
PREAMBLE: What made the Temple such an important place? (i) The Temple on Mount Zion was the place where God had promised to dwell amongst His people (Ex.25:22); (ii) The temple was the nation’s centre of worship and teaching; (iii) The sacrifices at the temple reminded the people of their need for God’s provision of forgiveness; (iv) The Temple was intended to be a house of prayer for the nations (Isa.56:7; Jer. 7:1-11; Mk.11:17; (v) The Temple activities prepared people for the promised Lamb of God, Who would take away the sins of the world (2 Chr.7:12-17 c.f. Jn.1:29).
Q.1. Who was present at the dedication of the Temple? How was the Ark brought up? What was the point of so many sacrifices before the Ark was put into place? – (2 Chr.5:1-10)
The dedication of the Temple was such a significant event, that Solomon gathered all the men of Israel and their elders, tribal heads, leaders of each household, along with all the Levites (2 Chr.5:2-4). Solomon had learnt from his father’s mistake, so he gave the responsibility to those who were appointed exclusively by God (Ex.25:10-16; Num.4:4-15; 1Chron.13:1-14). Israel had been taught that – without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb.9:22). The innumerable sacrifices of sheep that day were more than were required and were an extravagant tribute to God.
Q.2. Why did the poles that carried the ark have to be lengthy? Did the ark only contain the Ten Commandments? What point was the writer making? – (2 Chr.5:8-11 c.f. Ex.16:32-34; 25:10-16; Num.17:10; Heb.9:3-5)
Though we are not told how long the poles that carried the ark had to be, we know that they had to be kept inserted in the rings attached to the Ark so that no one would touch the ark. The long poles ensured that no one would touch the ark, and thus be struck dead (as happened on occasions – 1 Sam.6:19-20; 2 Sam.6:6-7). Here it was recorded that the ark contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments. Other Scriptures suggest that the ark also contained a jar of Manna, and the rod of Moses that budded (Ex.16:32-34; 25:10-16; Num.17:10; Heb.9:3-5). This all seems to emphasize the extreme importance of the Ten Commandments, which formed the basis of God’s covenant blessing.
Q.3. What important contribution did the Levites make to the dedication of the temple? How did God make known His pleasure with the dedication of the temple? – (2 Chr.5:11-14 c.f. 1 Chr.25:1-7)
Not only were the Levites especially consecrated for the blessing of the temple, they also provided the music and lyrics that helped the Israelites to focus on God’s grace and goodness. Without God’s manifest presence, Israel would not have known whether God approved or not. His Shekinah Glory sanctified the day, just as the coming of Jesus revealed the Father’s gracious intention for mankind (Lk.2.14; Jn.1:14).