Historical Books 2 Chronicles

Praising God in One Voice

Discover Jesus as: Royal Throne 2 Chronicles 5-6 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 304 of 730
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INTRO

I’ve enjoyed this study, but I didn’t expect to. After all we’ve gone through with the historical books, 2 Chronicles seemed like a big mess. But the Word of God is alive and active. When we open it up, God can show us something powerful within it. In 2 Chronicles so far, we’ve been looking at how Solomon fulfilled David’s desire to build a temple for the Lord.

MacArthur explains that building the temple took seven-and-a-half years to complete and was finished in the eleventh year of Solomon’s reign. The dedication took place 11 months later so it could take place along with the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles.1The temple pointed to the coming of the Messiah and served five important functions for the people of Israel:

  1. It served as the center of worship that represented righteous beliefs and worship over many generations.
  2. It symbolized God’s presence among His people
  3. It symbolized God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy, while emphasizing the seriousness of sin.
  4. It prepared the way for the coming Messiah, who, as the Lamb of God, would take away sin.
  5. It functioned as a place of prayer (2 Chronicles 7:12-17).2

TEACHING

2 Chronicles 5:1-3: Solomon brought all the things David had set aside from the tabernacle and put them in the treasuries of the temple (v. 1) Then Solomon brought together the elders of Israel so they could bring the ark into the temple, which, at this time, was in a temporary tent in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:17).3The men assembled during the festival—the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths (v. 3). The feast celebrated the years of wandering in the wilderness, while worshipping in the tabernacle (which was a tent), so this was an appropriate occasion to relocate the ark to God’s permanent dwelling place (Leviticus 23:39-43).

2 Chronicles 5:4-6: This time, the Israelites followed God’s instructions. The Levites carried the Ark (v. 4), and the priests and the Levites brought up the holy utensils that had been in the tent (v. 5). Solomon and the congregation of Israel gathered to sacrifice innumerable sheep and cattle (v. 6). Notice Solomon was acting in the role as both priest and king and exercised the privileges of his office by offering sacrifices4(1 Chronicles 16:1-3).

2 Chronicles 5:7-10: The ark was placed in the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies in the temple. There the wings of the cherubim formed a cover above the ark (vv. 7-8). Verse 9 speaks of long poles, about 30 feet in length, and they allowed the priests to minister in the Holy of Holies (like guardrails that guided the high priest to stay in line before God) (Exodus 25:12-15; 1 Kings 8:8). The poles also helped the Levites move the ark into place. The exiles who returned saw no poles because all had been destroyed. Nelson’s Commentarystates that recognizing the poles were missing charged the returning Jews with emotion since King Nebuchadnezzar’s army had destroyed the temple and everything in it.5Only the tablets God gave to Moses were in the ark (v. 10).

We have “poles” today to keep us in line with God—His Word and the Holy Spirit. Without these poles, people choose what to accept and what to reject. When we don’t function with these poles, our lives become chaotic.

2 Chronicles 5:11-14: The priests, who had been consecrated, came out of the holy place and were met by the Levitical singers and musicians and 120 priests blowing trumpets. The people had never had a temple before, so they continued to celebrate the dedication of the temple (vv. 11-12a). The main families of the Levites were represented as their sons and relatives participated (v. 12b). Everyone joined together to praise and thank God with one voice (v. 13). The temple was filled with the cloud of God’s presence, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple (v. 14)

CLOSING

We are called to come together with one voice in unity and praise:

Psalm 133:1-3: It is good and pleasant to come together in one voice.

2 Chronicles 30:12: It is good to have unity of mind.

Ephesians 4:1-6: We are to be one in unity.

Ephesians 4:11-13: We are called to continue together until we all reach unity.

1 Corinthians 1:10: We all called together, not in divisions, but perfectly united in mind.

Colossians 3:12-14: We are to be bound together in unity.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6: We’ve been given different gifts but only one Spirit.

Romans 15:4-6: We are to be united in mind and voice.

Romans 15:7-13: We are called to glorify God together . . . in unity.

Second Chronicles 5:14 states the glory of the Lord filled God’s temple. When we have one voice, we get to experience God’s glory.

  1. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 497.

  2. MacArthur, p. 497.

  3. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 539.

  4. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 540.

  5. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 540.

Questions

  1. Second Chronicles 5:10 states the only thing in the ark was the Ten Commandments. But in Hebrews 9:4, Paul wrote the pot of manna and Aaron’s rod were also in the ark. What do you think happened to them? Any ideas on who would have taken them or why?
  2. In 2 Chronicles 5:14, the people gathered and with one voice worshipped God. The house was filled with a cloud. Where else do we see this happening? (Exodus 40:34-35)
  3. Throughout time, we have seen that when God’s people gather as “one people” and “one voice,” mighty things can happen. What is an example (Genesis 11:1-9)? What about during Jesus’ time (Acts 2:1-4)? What could we accomplish if we came together with one voice as one people? Could we change a nation?
  4. In 2 Chronicles 6:2, Solomon said he built a house for the Lord to reside forever. Is this still true? Why or why not (Acts 17:24-25)? Where does God reside now? (John 14:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16)
  5. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 2 Chronicles 5—6 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 2 Chronicles 5:13

“The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thanks the LORD with one voice. They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever. The temple, the LORD’s temple, was filled with a cloud.”

The construction for the temple was completed, and the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant to its proper place in the inner sanctuary. Once in place, King Solomon, along with all the priests and Levitical musicians, regardless of their division or role, gathered to worship the Lord in one voice. At this point, the Lord’s glory came and filled the temple as a great cloud. The people united together and focused on God alone.

Those who had been divided came together with one voice. Unity happened. God’s glory came. Did you catch it? Did you see what brings God glory? Unity in the body of Christ. What will it take for the church to stop arguing over differences and become one? The Lord instructs believers to walk in humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting each other in love, diligently keeping unity of the spirit with the bonds of peace. That peace is Jesus Christ. Worship the Lord in unity because of the love of Christ. Focus on the Lord, not on man. When you have one voice, the Lord will reveal His glory. And then others will want to know the love binding you together. Gather together as one voice, and expect God’s glory!

“The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thanks the Lord with one voice. They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the Lord: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever. The temple, the Lord’s temple, was filled with a cloud.”

—2 Chronicles 5:13

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • John 17:23 — “I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
  • Romans 15:6–7 — “So that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Therefore accept one another, just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God.”
  • Ephesians 4:1–3 — “Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.”