Day 125 2 Chronicles 5-7

As we said before, one of the important themes of the Books of Chronicles is continuity. God remains steadfast in keeping his promises. There is continuity between the reigns of David and Solomon, and the building of the temple is the work of both; David begins it and Solomon completes it (5:1). Another of the themes of the Books of Chronicles is unity, and we should notice how often the word "all" is used here in our reading—"all the Israelites" assemble before the king (5:3), not some, but many. The consecration of the temple is the work of the whole people, under the leadership of the king, who in turn is directed and inspired by God.  All the people worship together. Worship is a central concern of the chronicler, and every action is accompanied by sacrifice (5:6)—giving something precious back to God in acknowledgement that all we have is a gift from him. So all of Israel is present as the ark and the Tent of Meeting and its vessels are transferred to the newly completed temple, and the ark is installed in "the most holy place" (5:7). This installation is surrounded with spectacle, with music (5:13 and accompanied by a special song of praise to the LORD—"For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever" (5:13).  This verse, which is repeated later in our reading (7:3), emphasizes the theme of continuity which is so important to the chronicler and the community for which he is writing. The love of God does not change, and he is always present in whatever circumstances his people find themselves.  And the presence of God is manifested visibly by the cloud, which fills the newly finished house of the LORD, both revealing and at the same time hiding "the glory of the LORD" (5:14). In his speech to the people and in his dedicatory prayer that follows Solomon emphasizes the promise given to David (6:9) which has been fulfilled in his own reign and in the building of the temple (6:10). For the chronicler, the promise given to David that his house will be established forever overshadows the promises made to Abraham and Moses. Now at the completion of the Temple, Solomon asks the LORD to confirm that promise he has made that one of David's descendents will always sit on the throne of Israel(6:16-17). Then Solomon goes on to pray for the LORD's special blessing upon the house that he has built. He acknowledges that house cannot contain God, when even the "highest heaven" cannot (6:18). But he asks that those who pray "toward this place" may be heard, in whatever their circumstances (6:20). If they pray toward "this house" for personal vindication or to seal their oaths (6:22), if they pray for national or for personal forgiveness (6:24), if they pray in time of crisis, in plague or war, in times of corporate or individual suffering (6:28), in times of drought and famine (6:26), Solomon asks the LORD to hear their prayers and answer them. Even if the people of Israel are carried away into exile in a distant land because of their disobedience and they repent there and pray toward Jerusalem and its temple, Solomon asks God to hear them and "maintain their cause" (6:36-40). And he ends his dedicatory prayer with an invocation to the LORD not to remember  Abraham and the patriarchs or Moses and the exodus, but God's "steadfast love" to his servant David (6:42). It is the covenant with David that is always at the center of the Books of Chronicles. When Solomon finishes his prayer we are told that fire comes down from heaven to consume the sacrifices (7:1). Fire is the sign of God's presence in the wilderness (Leviticus 8:24). The LORD uses to fire to designate the place where the temple is to be located (1 Chronicles 21:26). Now fire and cloud surround the sanctuary at its dedication (1 Chronicles 21:26). Seeing it as a sign that God is with them, the people worship and give thanks for the goodness of the LORD and his steadfast love (7:3). And their worship is combined with sacrifice, which is worship put into action 7:5).  Music is part of this sacrifice (7:6). All Israel stands rapt in adoration. The theme of unity in worship is again emphasized. The country from north to south is fully united. Then after two weeks the king at last sends the people home "joyful and in good spirits because of the goodness that the LORD had shown to David and to Solomon and to his people Israel" This is how it should be. This is for the chronicler the high point of Israel's history, like and perhaps greater than the time when God revealed himself  "in cloud and fire" on Mount Sinai. Later, when God appears to Solomon for a second time--again we assume in a dream--it is to assure him that he has indeed chosen his temple as a dwelling place for himself. He renews with Solomon the covenant he had made with David. If he is obedient and keeps the commandments, a son of his house shall always rule over Israel (7:18). But if he is disobedient the LORD will "pluck up" king and people and "cast them out" of his sight and destroy the house he has dedicated (7:19-22). This is in fact a foreshadowing of what will happen. But the words "his steadfast love endures forever" will continue to echo through Israel's story. God will remain faithful to his covenant, even when the descendents of David prove faithless.