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Sunday 9 March 2014

2 Chronicles 3-5 - Temple building

Verse 1 is the only place in the Bible where Mount Moriah is identified with Mount Zion, Mount Moriah is where Abraham was to go to sacrifice Isaac. 
We then get some of details of the temple and a description of the gold used.
Cherubs were used to decorate the Most Holy Place. There is an interesting article on cherubs here. They were guardians of paradise and protective bearer's of the throne of God. The use of "decorative cherubim" is a further indication that the physical temple was but a shadow of the real thing. Cherubs are most definitely not "sweet" creatures!
In Chapter 4 we move onto the temple furnishings. The sea that surrounded the temple signifies cleansing. In Ezekiel's vision a river of life flowed from the temple (Ez 47:1-12).
Finally the ark is brought to the temple. David had brought the ark back to Jerusalem, now it was to be placed in the temple. This was done with great care, the key tasks assigned to the Levites, and many sacrifices were made. Why so many sacrifices? Because of the holiness of the ark and inherent unworthiness of the people. The only way we can approach the Lord is through the blood of Jesus. 
Earlier the ark had contained Aaron's rod and a jar of manna, it seems from verse 10 that these had been lost, maybe during the time it was captured by the Philistines.
The priests sang "He is good, His love endures for ever". The glory of the Lord then visibly filled the temple, and the priests could no longer perform their duties. 

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