Year 9, Day 305: 2 Chronicles 5

Theological Commentary: Click Here

With the construction done, it was time to move, so to speak.  The Hebrew people weren’t moving in, but the Ark of the Covenant was moving.  This was a momentous day.  Once the Ark of the Covenant is placed in the temple, it was done being moved.  No longer would it be in the tabernacle and occasionally seen when it moved locations.  It would be sealed in the temple for as long as the temple stood.

Because of this, all of the elders are gathered. The leaders of the tribes come out.  Anybody who is in a position of power comes to the service in order to participate.  Incredible sacrifices are made.  A feast is made.  It’s a sight to behold.  Anyone who is anyone is there for the moment.

I have to stop and wonder at what is being told about humanity here.  I wonder how many orphans and widows were included.  I wonder how many crippled people were invited.  We don’t obviously know the answer, but it is interesting to ask the question.

Along the same lines, I find it interesting to note that there is an obscure line in this passage.  We are told that there is nothing in the Ark besides the two tablets that Moses put into the Ark when the people were still wandering in the wilderness.  In spite of this great kingdom that had been built around David and now Solomon, it is actually Moses that is remembered.  What is important to God isn’t the splendor of the kingdom or the temple.  God cares about His Law.  God cares about His ways.

Take this back to the people at the celebration.  The rich, the elite, the popular, and the powerful are at the ceremony.  What impresses God, though, isn’t the pomp and the circumstance.  What impresses God is the Law, and therefore our adherence to it.

In the end, we are told that God’s presence fills the temple.  In fact, we are told that the presence of the Lord was so great that the priests couldn’t even do their work.  I can’t help but wonder if this is intentional.  Could it be that God is sending a message?  Could it be that God is telling us that our pomp and circumstance is nothing compared to His righteousness and splendor?

There is much speculation in this blog post, of course.  One message, though, is clear.  The glory of the Lord endures forever.  His steadfast love endures forever.  The temple of Solomon is long gone.  In truth, the Ark of the Covenant is long gone, too.  The glory and splendor of the Lord still remains.  What is important is God’s greatness and His character.

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