Recently we received a letter from a group that furnishes Bibles, but this was not just any ordinary appeal for money. This letter made no appeal, rather they thanked us for our support, and told us, “You have sent enough. We have accomplished our goal!” There was not even a fund-raising appeal in the fine print.
It was very encouraging and it tied right in with the story in Chronicles about the building of the temple.
It had been in the heart of King David to build a suitable dwelling place for the Ark, the Old Testament symbol of the presence of God. It grieved David to live in a fine palace while the Ark still resided in a tent. But though David’s heart was willing, it was not God’s time. He told David he had been a man of war and the temple would be built in a time of peace by his son, Solomon.
Unlike some of us, David did not go off and sulk. Instead, he set out to determine exactly what he could do to help. He knew Solomon was young and inexperienced. First he chose a design, following closely the layout of the Tabernacle tent with the inner and outer courts, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Then he started gathering materials - wood, silver, bronze, gold - everything he could think of. He had workmen making vessels for service. He counted the Levites, assigned them ministries, sanctified and trained them. Though he would not live to see the Temple built, he pictured it in his spirit.
David also called upon the leaders of Israel to give.
There is no doubt in my mind, David could have provided everything needed himself but he chose to give the people an opportunity to contribute. Perhaps down deep he knew, by giving, they would take ownership of the temple. It would mean more to them if they had invested something in it. In I Chronicles 29:5, David makes his appeal, “Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?” (NIV).
The Israelite leaders did not fail. Subsequent verses list all they gave and in verse 9, we are told. “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the King also rejoiced.” (NIV
But David didn’t stop there. In his prayer of praise, he says, “Who am I and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything we have comes from you and we have given you only what comes from your hands.” (NIV)
Sometimes in our decisions to give, we forget what we are giving is not ours, but it all comes to us from the hand of God. Jesus put it this way, “God loves a cheerful giver.” (Ref.) And Paul, in his letters, tells us of a church, who, though they were poor, never missed an opportunity to give not only to his ministry but to the persecuted church in Jerusalem.
And if we look back a little further to the construction of the Tabernacle, we find in Exodus 35, ordinary, everyday people giving to the work of the Lord. Moses asked only for those who were willing to give and they did - they not only gave of their possessions but they gave of their talents and abilities. In the end, as recorded in chapter 36, Moses had to tell them to stop bringing because they had more than enough. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that would happen today?”
As God had said he would, Solomon picked up right where David left off. After a few years to get the business of being king in hand, he set to work to build the temple. Like his father, Solomon’s heart was tender before God and the work was a labor of love. The Temple was built with the finest of materials by the most skilled of craftsmen. Nothing was too good for God.
When it was all done, the time came to dedicate the temple. Accompanied by all kinds of instruments, they raised their voices in praise and sang, “He is good; his love endures forever.
“Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” (2 Chron. 5:13-14 NIV)
The Temple no longer stands in Jerusalem. It was torn down long ago as Jesus said it would be. Today, the dwelling place of God is in our hearts and we are told: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
We can learn a lesson from the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple. As we present our bodies, our offerings and our abilities, do it cheerfully and willing so we too can be filled with the glory of God.
It was very encouraging and it tied right in with the story in Chronicles about the building of the temple.
It had been in the heart of King David to build a suitable dwelling place for the Ark, the Old Testament symbol of the presence of God. It grieved David to live in a fine palace while the Ark still resided in a tent. But though David’s heart was willing, it was not God’s time. He told David he had been a man of war and the temple would be built in a time of peace by his son, Solomon.
Unlike some of us, David did not go off and sulk. Instead, he set out to determine exactly what he could do to help. He knew Solomon was young and inexperienced. First he chose a design, following closely the layout of the Tabernacle tent with the inner and outer courts, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Then he started gathering materials - wood, silver, bronze, gold - everything he could think of. He had workmen making vessels for service. He counted the Levites, assigned them ministries, sanctified and trained them. Though he would not live to see the Temple built, he pictured it in his spirit.
David also called upon the leaders of Israel to give.
There is no doubt in my mind, David could have provided everything needed himself but he chose to give the people an opportunity to contribute. Perhaps down deep he knew, by giving, they would take ownership of the temple. It would mean more to them if they had invested something in it. In I Chronicles 29:5, David makes his appeal, “Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?” (NIV).
The Israelite leaders did not fail. Subsequent verses list all they gave and in verse 9, we are told. “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the King also rejoiced.” (NIV
But David didn’t stop there. In his prayer of praise, he says, “Who am I and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything we have comes from you and we have given you only what comes from your hands.” (NIV)
Sometimes in our decisions to give, we forget what we are giving is not ours, but it all comes to us from the hand of God. Jesus put it this way, “God loves a cheerful giver.” (Ref.) And Paul, in his letters, tells us of a church, who, though they were poor, never missed an opportunity to give not only to his ministry but to the persecuted church in Jerusalem.
And if we look back a little further to the construction of the Tabernacle, we find in Exodus 35, ordinary, everyday people giving to the work of the Lord. Moses asked only for those who were willing to give and they did - they not only gave of their possessions but they gave of their talents and abilities. In the end, as recorded in chapter 36, Moses had to tell them to stop bringing because they had more than enough. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that would happen today?”
As God had said he would, Solomon picked up right where David left off. After a few years to get the business of being king in hand, he set to work to build the temple. Like his father, Solomon’s heart was tender before God and the work was a labor of love. The Temple was built with the finest of materials by the most skilled of craftsmen. Nothing was too good for God.
When it was all done, the time came to dedicate the temple. Accompanied by all kinds of instruments, they raised their voices in praise and sang, “He is good; his love endures forever.
“Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” (2 Chron. 5:13-14 NIV)
The Temple no longer stands in Jerusalem. It was torn down long ago as Jesus said it would be. Today, the dwelling place of God is in our hearts and we are told: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
We can learn a lesson from the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple. As we present our bodies, our offerings and our abilities, do it cheerfully and willing so we too can be filled with the glory of God.
