You Can Read the Bible

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  – Exodus 40:34-35

Years of construction, decades of preparation, and exorbitant expense could not guarantee the LORD’s blessing on the Temple project.  The LORD had not asked for this Temple, but allowed David’s dream to move forward under the management of his son.  So Solomon’s prayer at the end of chapter 6, that the LORD would “Arise…and go to Your resting place…” was truly a request: would the LORD be as satisfied with this project as He was with Moses’ Tabernacle in the desert?  Is this the place where God would allow His glory to rest permanently? 

I’ll let you read the response, which opens chapter 7.  Picture yourself again, 500 years later, standing in the ruins of this Temple, envisioning the details laid out here.  Imagine the level of security and prosperity that would permit the thousands of sacrifices, weeks of celebration, and all Israel to celebrate the Day of Atonement and Feast of Booths in the presence of the building that God had filled with His glory.  O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.  (Psalm 26:8)

Consider also the haunting wisdom of that which follows, which sets up the tension of the rest of this book.  As the celebration passes and the work is complete, the LORD comes to Solomon and reminds him that “If My people, who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land… But if you turn aside and forsake My statutes and My commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will pluck you up from My land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for My name, I will cast it out of My sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples...”

Our verse for this week is Matthew 25:40: And the king will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.”

2 Chronicles 7 through 9.  Now let’s read it!

2 Chronicles 7 - 9

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.