We are making changes to our church lobby in hopes of bringing a fresh and welcoming look to our church building. Our church building is a tool for advancing the Gospel. We want to make a good first impression and communicate that the Gospel is new and fresh every day. However, we must always keep our one true God at the center of who and what we do. This reminder comes from the July issue of Christian Standard Magazine.
Celebrating the Presence of God
2 Chronicles 5:1-14
The temple of Solomon was one of the grandest sites in the ancient world. It could easily have given the “seven great wonders of the ancient world” a run for their money. The temple took seven years to complete and was finished around 959 BC. It was filled with gold, silver, and bronze. King David had dedicated (made holy) many of the things in advance (1 Chronicles 22:14; 29:1-9). They were stored away for just the right time.
Solomon made it happen. He enlisted the elders, the heads of the tribes, and the chiefs of the families to bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant (box or chest) from the old city of David up to the newly completed temple. This was all to be done during the seventh month. This was a party month—not only celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles but also the Day of Atonement. Good timing.
Even though the ark would not be carried a great distance (the old city of David sits just south of the temple area), they were going to transport it correctly this time (cf. 2 Samuel 6:1-11). The Levites were to bear it up along with the sacred furnishings. They would function both as the movers and the butchers. So many sacrifices were made that people lost count of them—though they tried to keep a record (2 Chronicles 7:4-6).
The ark was placed in the Holy of Holies (inner sanctuary or Most Holy Place). The priests placed the mercy seat (wings of the cherubim) on top of the ark (sending the message that mercy triumphs over judgment). The poles for carrying it extended so far that they could be seen in the Holy Place (the room just outside the Holy of Holies). The Ten Commandments were placed inside the ark. The writer of Hebrews speaks as if the jar of manna and Aaron’s rod were also inside of it, but the Old Testament never exactly said that (Hebrews 9:4; cf. Exodus 16:33-34; Numbers 17:10).
The decibel level of this celebration must have been deafening. Consecrated priests within their Davidic divisions, the musicians among the Levites (three are mentioned by name along with their sons and relatives), and a 120-priest brass band offered up praise to God. They sang that familiar song from Psalm 136 (God is good and his “loyal love” endures forever).
Reminiscent of when the tabernacle was finished, the cloud of God and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. In fact, it so filled this new house of worship there was room for no one else. The word ark occurs nine times in this chapter. It symbolized God’s presence, which is something to celebrate.”
Church family, as we make some transitions in the appearance of our lobby… Let us keep our God at the forefront of what we do.
In Christ,
Steve
