A Great and Wonderful House

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

2 Chronicles 2:1-10

The Message

The Temple Construction Begins

2 Solomon gave orders to begin construction on the house of worship in honor of God and a palace for himself.

² Solomon assigned seventy thousand common laborers, eighty thousand to work the quarries in the mountains, and thirty-six hundred foremen to manage the workforce.
^3-4 Then Solomon sent this message to King Hiram of Tyre: “Send me cedar logs, the same kind you sent David my father for building his palace. I’m about to build a house of worship in honor of God, a holy place for burning perfumed incense, for setting out holy bread, for making Whole-Burnt-Offerings at morning and evening worship, and for Sabbath, New Moon, and Holy Day services of worship—the acts of worship required of Israel.
^5-10 “The house I am building has to be the best, for our God is the best, far better than competing gods. But who is capable of building such a structure? Why, the skies—the entire cosmos!—can’t begin to contain him. And me, who am I to think I can build a house adequate for God—burning incense to him is about all I’m good for! I need your help: Send me a master artisan in gold, silver, bronze, iron, textiles of purple, crimson, and violet, and who knows the craft of engraving; he will supervise the trained craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem that my father provided. Also send cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon; I know you have lumberjacks experienced in the Lebanon forests. I’ll send workers to join your crews to cut plenty of timber—I’m going to need a lot, for this house I’m building is going to be absolutely stunning—a showcase temple! I’ll provide all the food necessary for your crew of lumberjacks and loggers: 130,000 bushels of wheat, 120,000 gallons of wine, and 120,000 gallons of olive oil.”

For Reflection

The people of God can worship anywhere.  If so why build a a church?  Doesn't it seem that putting such vast resources into the construction and maintenance of a building poor stewardship? Perhaps to some, but not these returning exiles.  Building a temple was a sign of the restorative power and compassion of God.  

A dug out hillside at a campground worship area, a store front in a strip mall, a small one-room country church, and a cathedral each punctuate the land with visible signs of God's presence in His people. A church of any size constructed with the best material that can be offered is a form of praise for the God who is above all Gods.  Building and rebuilding again is a sign that God cannot be destroyed.  No matter what catastrophes be fall us God will restore us. 

Pray

prayers of praise.  Pray to reflect on the power of God.  Praise God often.  Pray so that your every thought and deed is a reflection of God's restorative power.