2 Chronicles 3:Temple Talk

Matthew Henry’s Summary: It was a much larger and more particular account of the building of the temple which we had in the book of Kings than is here in this book of Chronicles. In this chapter we have, I. The place and time of building the temple, 2Chronicles 3:1,2. II. The dimensions and rich ornaments of it, 2Chronicles 3:3-9. III. The cherubim in the most holy place, 2Chronicles 3:10-13. IV. The veil, 2Chronicles 3:14. V. The two pillars, 2Chronicles 3:15-17.

I. Verses 1-2: Place and Time of Building the Temple

A. Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah.

1. “In Jerusalem”: David had already established his rule in Jerusalem, and the royal city

must also be the holy city; they were not to be separated any more than our being a

“royal priesthood” can be separated from being a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). Too

many people who claim to be Christians draw an imaginary line between “church” and

work, family, and leisure. However, it’s our lives outside of church that impacts the

world! If we limit our worship and service to God only to the church services we

attend, we’re confused about our purpose in life

2. “Mount Moriah”: It is no accident that Mount Moriah, where Abraham took his son

Isaacto offer him as a sacrifice (Gen. 22:2), is the very place where Solomon built

the temple. Both incidences point directly to Christ, who was crucified on this same

set of mountains. Genesis 22:14 prophesies, “So Abraham called that place The Lord

Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be

provided.’” I remember this being one of the first strong connections I ever made

from the New Testament to the Old Testament. Since then, I’m constantly on the

lookout for connections in the Old Testament that point to Christ…and God’s Word

never fails to provide!

B. …where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah

the Jebusite, the place provided by David.

  1. The threshing floor of Araunah is the place David purchased and built an altar hoping to stop the plague he had brought upon the people by disobeying God.
  2. Araunah attempted to give the threshing floor to David, but David responded, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing”(2 Samuel 24:24).And, in that same place, the temple was built, and offerings made. And, later still, God also insisted on paying, and he was willing pay dearly in his son’s blood.

II. Verses 3-13: The Dimensions and Rich Ornaments; The Cherubim and Most Holy Place

A. The Temple was an earthly representation, a mere shadow,of God’s spiritual temple in heaven. Pure gold decorations and precious stones are as close as we can get on earth to the spiritual realm.

B. In places such as Psalm 80:1, Isaiah 37:16, and Ezekiel 10:3, we are told that God is seated between the cherubim, so Solomon’s representation of heaven included representations of cherubim.

III. Verse 14: The Veil

  1. This veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and only 1 man, the high priest, 1 time per year was allowed to pass that veil.
  2. So, it represented that which separated man from God; even though He had made his dwelling place among his people, they were yet separated.
  3. Hebrews 9:12 tells us that Jesus “entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”
  4. When Jesus was on the cross, he “gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:50-51). God sent this message that He had made a way for man to enter the Most Holy Place.
  5. Because of His sacrifice, no longer is it only 1 man 1 time per year who can enter the Most Holy Place: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draws near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith...” (Hebrews 10: 19-21). Many people are confused and led astray, believing that the purpose of Christ’s death was only so we could go to heaven someday. However, here it explains very clearly that the result of Christ’s death was so we could draw close to God now.Many people go forward in a service understanding that Christ died for them, but they believe that his death only matters after we die, when in reality, he’s called us into an abundant life in the here and now. It saddens me, that although the veil was torn, and God made the way for us to approach Him with confidence, so few people do so.

IV. Verses 15-17: The 2 Pillars

  1. “The one to the south he named Jakin…”Jakin means “He establishes.” F.B. Meyers comments: “The Lord Jesus has established the work of redemption so that it shall never be removed; has established the covenant, ordered in all things and sure; has established His Church, so that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it; has established us before the face of His Father forevermore. There is much in the New Testament about the established life. It is the desire of Peter that the scattered saints should be perfected, established, and strengthened. Paul desires to see the Romans, that he may impart some spiritual gift so that they may be established: he desires that the Colossians may be built up in Christ, and established in the faith. The Epistle to the Hebrews says that it is good for the heart to be established with grace. Let us ask that Jesus should establish us in the Divine life, rooting and grounding us in love and faith, so that we may not be moved away from the Gospel, but abound therein with thanksgiving. It is only as we abide in Jesus, that we shall become steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding.”
  2. “And the one to the north Boaz.”Boaz means “In Him is strength.” Meyers continues with an application for “In Him is strength”: “But Christ is also our strong Helper. We have no strength of our own; but He is strong; and in Him we have righteousness and strength. Let us make our refuge in Him, as the conies (rabbits), who are a feeble folk, do in the rock. They who abide in Jesus derive from Him fresh supplies of strength for each moment’s need. They hear Him saying, “Fear not, I will strengthen, yea, I will help thee”; and they learn to say with Paul: “I can do all things in Christ that strengthens me.”

Lord,

Thank you

For the torn veil

Granting the undeserving

A way to draw near to You.

Help us to do so!

May we ever

Be found looking

For the fulfillment

Of the promise that

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE,

Throughout the Scriptures

As well as in the circumstances

Of our Lives.

Amen