READING THE BOOK OF Second Chronicles CHAPTER Four.
Our favorite verse in 2 Chronicles Chapter 4 is:
He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide and ten cubits high. (2 Chronicles 4:1 NIV).
The Best of our efforts must be for God
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God’s altar of sacrifice.- The first piece of furniture that is mentioned in the construction of Solomon, is the altar of burnt offering. The measures of the new altar indicates that the amount of sacrifices, offerings, libations and burnt offerings to be offered to God would be abundant. The altar (four meters and means) required steps needed, as noted by the prophet (Ezekiel 43:14-17). This altar was located in the atrium at the entrance of the temple, to indicate the idea that God is about to do so only through the sacrificial death, in lieu of Christ, according to Hebrews 8:2-3, 9:12 .
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The gold altar.- First Solomon does build the two cherubim, one wing was 2.25 meters tall, this measure allows us to imagine the height including the bodies of the Cherubim and coated with gold. He put the golden altar in the midst of the cherubim. In this altar was manifested the Shekinah, or the visible presence of God.
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Tables of the unleavened bread.– David built ten tables to place the consecrated bread or bread of the presence (2 Chron 4:8,19). Recall that in the wilderness tabernacle was only one table for the showbread (Exodus 25:23, 30, 37:10).
Importantly majestic building of this great temple, to imagine the beauty of its construction, but also challenges us to make the best of our efforts to build temples that dignify the name of God.
Prayer
God worthy of all honor and praise. Accept the worship that we give with generous hearts. We have all the gold and riches of Solomon, but we offer our whole being living sacrifice to serve. By jesus, amen.
By Dr. Franz Rios, Translated and adapted by Pablo J. Rios.
