 He made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide and ten cubits high. 2 Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.3 Under it were figures of gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast. 4 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea was set on them, and all their rear parts were inward. 5 Its thickness was a handbreadth. And its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held 3,000 baths. 6 He also made ten basins in which to wash, and set five on the south side, and five on the north side. In these they were to rinse off what was used for the burnt offering, and the sea was for the priests to wash in.
7 And he made ten golden lampstands as prescribed, and set them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. 8 He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. And he made a hundred basins of gold.9 He made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and overlaid their doors with bronze. 10 And he set the sea at the southeast corner of the house. 11 Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of God: 12 the two pillars, the bowls, and the two capitals on the top of the pillars; and the two lattice works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; 13 and the 400 pomegranates for the two lattice works, two rows of pomegranates for each latticework, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars. 14 He made the stands also, and the basins on the stands, 15 and the one sea, and the twelve oxen underneath it.16 The pots, the shovels, the forks, and all the equipment for these Huram-abi made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the Lord. 17 In the plain of the Jordan the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. 18 Solomon made all these things in great quantities, for the weight of the bronze was not sought. 19 So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God: the golden altar, the tables for the bread of the Presence, 20 the lampstands and their lamps of pure gold to burn before the inner sanctuary, as prescribed; 21 the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of purest gold; 22 the snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and fire pans, of pure gold, and the sockets of the temple, for the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and for the doors of the nave of the temple were of gold. Meditation God makes a way to restore relationship with His people. Grace invites us into intimacy with the God who made us, redeemed us, and who promises to restore us (and His world). “He made” is the uniting phrase of this section, tying together Solomon’s work with David’s dedication (5:1; 3:1) and guiding us on the tour of Solomon’s temple building. “He made” moves the reader to the “vestibule” (3:4), to the “most holy place” (3:8-13), and “veil” (3:14) before directing us through the objects and implements Solomon made for the temple (1, 2, 6, 7, 8a, 8b), and summary statements of Solomon’s work (18, 19). The emphasis compels us to see God’s point- Solomon was obedient and made every detail of the temple so that God’s presence could be restored with His people. Jesus is a king greater than Solomon who made a way for all who believe to come to our senses and return to the Father. Through Christ’s work we can enter the most Holy Place with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-20). The veil Solomon made was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51) so we can have “a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone before us as a forerunner on our behalf…” (Hebrews 6:19-20). Jesus is “THE WAY” to return to relationship with God (John 14:6). Grace gives us ground to walk by faith to return to our Father’s love. God has made the way! Richly Dwelling -Do you see how “he made” jumps out of today’s reading? This is unique to Chronicles (mentioned only twice in the Kings accounts). -How does God making a way for us to return to Him, a more secure and personal way than the temple, move us to respond to His grace and love? -Who needs to know this grace, that God has made a way for relationship to be restored with Him? Be specific in praying for a couple of folks and reach out today to tell them you love them because God loves them and He made them for Himself! Key Verses 18 Solomon made all these things in great quantities, for the weight of the bronze was not sought. Comments are closed.
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