You Can Read the Bible

But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.  And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.  – Deuteronomy 12:5-7

The climactic moment is almost upon us, as today we finally see the dedication of the LORD’s house in Jerusalem.  Place yourself in Jerusalem, about 960 B.C., as a buzz of activity swarms this new and magnificent Temple – truly more spectacular than your grandfather, who had lived through Saul’s paranoid reign, could have imagined.  The Ark of the Covenant, that great reminder of thunder and lightning over Mount Horeb…of the promises made to Moses and Aaron… is lifted and carried in accordance with the Law to the place that God has chosen…

Picture yourself again, 500 years later, standing in the ruins of this Temple, envisioning the details laid out here.  Not just the ornate building and accessories, but the buzz of activity, the priests and Levites and musicians and gatekeepers arranged by divisions.  Tens of thousands of your countrymen convened for the dedication, listening as Solomon, the king, leads you in worship: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you…”

But first there is one more record of building details: statues and basins and lampstands; pots, shovels and basins that had been commissioned to Hiram.  These details are a reflection of the author’s priorities and are reminiscent, more importantly, of the intricate design specifications of the Tabernacle in Exodus.  They reflect, perhaps, something important about the character of God Himself. 

Our verse for this week is Psalm 119:11: I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

2 Chronicles 4 through 6.  Now let’s read it!

2 Chronicles 4 - 6

You Can Read the Bible is supported by Bellefield Presbyterian Church and blessed with its wonderful volunteers, including: Dave Moore, Jose David Aguilar Posada, Meagan Carter, Fiona Carter, Tanya Carter, Greg Burdette, Madeline Kulp, Andie Young, Justin Ray, Gary Liberati, Maureen Hinchman, Ken MacLeod, John Dolan, Roberto Cantillo, Charlei George, Josh Brown, Jeanne Griffith, Zachary Fritts, Dan Hinchman, Sophia Young, Lynette MacLeod, Gladys Cantillo, Grace Watson, Marianne Seah, Ian MacLeod, Liz Zimmerman, August Hall, Paza Boyd, Kristin Horner, Daniel Young, Paul Griffoen, Ben Moore, Meredith Carter, Bob Willson, Rosie Wagoner, Nick Bersin, Rhonda Hall, Helen Dolby, Emily Moore, Rick Zimmerman, Matt Jones, Kiana Jones, Jane Carter, Marilyn Long, Renee Hairston, Heather Weaver, Carol Williams, Anita Woolley, Andrew Thorpe, Emily Wenz, Matt Carter, and many others.

A special note of thanks to Dave Moore, the Moore family, Maureen Hinchman, the Hinchman family, Jose Posada, the Posada family, and to the Carter family. This would not have happened without your unwavering efforts, sacrifice, and support! Thank you!

We provide You Can Read the Bible in all of its many forms and formats as a ministry service to grow disciples within the church universal. This is not a substitute for your local church community, but it could be a resource to use within your local church and for you personally.