April 22, 2003
We have here a further account of the furniture of God's house.
I. Those things that were of brass. The altar for burnt- offerings
(#2Ch 4:1), the sea and lavers to hold water (#2Ch 4:2-6), the
plates with which the doors of the court were overlaid (#2Ch 4:9),
the vessels of the altar, and other things, #2Ch 4:10-18.
II. Those that were of gold. The candlesticks and tables (#2Ch
4:7-8), the altar of incense (#2Ch 4:19), and the appurtenances
of each of these, #2Ch 4:20-22. All these, except the brazen
altar (#2Ch 4:1), were accounted for more largely, #1Ki 7:23,
&c. (MH)
The appearance and value of the house was above measure, e.g.:
#2Ch 4:1. ALTAR OF BRASS.
1. he made an altar of brass—Steps must have been necessary for ascending so elevated an altar, but the use of these could be no longer forbidden (#Ex 20:26) after the introduction of an official costume for the priests (#Ex 28:42). It measured thirty-five feet by thirty-five, and in height seventeen and a haft feet. The thickness of the metal used for this altar is nowhere given; but supposing it to have been three inches, the whole weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons [NAPIER]. (JFB)
The altar was set on high so the people could see the sacrifice burnt, to help them realize the seriousness of sin.
They might thus be led to consider the great sacrifice which should be offered in the fulness of time to take away sin and abolish death, which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do. (MH)
The molten sea... Called a sea because of its size. Its purpose was to provide water for the priests to wash in. It pictured the fountain open to all believers for the removal of sin, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5-9.
Vv. 11-6, anyone looking at the temple from the outside would be overwhelmed with the size of the "furniture" used in the worship of Israel's God – it was awesome. It reminds me of the song, "Our God is an Awesome God".
Now we have an account of the gold used in the temple. It is significant that all the was only where the priests alone ministered. In other words, only the priests would see the magnificence of all the gold. Today, we make great edifices to impress the passers by. Here all the magnificence of the gold was hidden from view, seen only by God and a few priests.
The golden candlesticks... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105.) These were made after
the pattern of the one made by Moses. The one is expanded to ten
as the word of
God increases with the addition of more writings, books. There
are now numerous golden candlesticks, the Gospel Church scattered
far and wide. (Revelation 1:20.)
Golden tables for the shew-bread. Were there 12 loaves on each? There is sufficient bread in our Father's house for all His children. Luke 22:19, John 6:32-58.
The golden altar, which may have been enlarged in proportion to the brazen alter, tells us of the all sufficient, atoning sacrifice of Christ. Not only does it remove all sins, it is large enough to cover all of His people.
Vv. 11-22, gives a total and details of Huram's work. Huram, or Hiram, had the same name as Hiram, king of Tyre, a very good friend of David's. When Solomon contacted Hiram about building the temple, Hiram not only made everything available that was at his disposal, he sent Huram to oversee the work. Solomon sent for Hiram, a man of mixed race who was filled with the Spirit of wisdom from God. (2 Chronicles 2:13, 14, 1 Kings 7:13-47.)
Huram finished all that he was to make, leaving nothing undone. Both he and his father were highly respected by both Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre. All of the funds and material what was dedicated to the Lord was used for the Lord's work. Neither Solomon, the workmen nor the priests skimmed any off for personal use.
We can only imagine the skill possessed by Hiram, and the skillful work that went into the temple. Its design was made in heaven, and provided to King David, who left them for Solomon. It represented Christ, and the Gospel Church.
April 23, 2003