September 12th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Staying Power

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Opening Prayer

Holy God, invade the sanctuary of my heart as I worship You today. I need You more than ever.

Read 2 Chronicles 8:1-18

[1] At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon built the temple of the LORD and his own palace, [2] Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram had given him, and settled Israelites in them. [3] Solomon then went to Hamath Zobah and captured it. [4] He also built up Tadmor in the desert and all the store cities he had built in Hamath. [5] He rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities, with walls and with gates and bars, [6] as well as Baalath and all his store cities, and all the cities for his chariots and for his horses-whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon and throughout all the territory he ruled. [7] There were still people left from the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites). [8] Solomon conscripted the descendants of all these people remaining in the land-whom the Israelites had not destroyed-to serve as slave labor, as it is to this day. [9] But Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites for his work; they were his fighting men, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and charioteers. [10] They were also King Solomon’s chief officials-two hundred and fifty officials supervising the men. [11] Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, “My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.” [12] On the altar of the LORD that he had built in front of the portico, Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the LORD, [13] according to the daily requirement for offerings commanded by Moses for the Sabbaths, the New Moons and the three annual festivals-the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. [14] In keeping with the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their duties, and the Levites to lead the praise and to assist the priests according to each day’s requirement. He also appointed the gatekeepers by divisions for the various gates, because this was what David the man of God had ordered. [15] They did not deviate from the king’s commands to the priests or to the Levites in any matter, including that of the treasuries. [16] All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the LORD was laid until its completion. So the temple of the LORD was finished. [17] Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the coast of Edom. [18] And Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own men, sailors who knew the sea. These, with Solomon’s men, sailed to Ophir and brought back four hundred and fifty talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“The secret of life is pursuing one thing” (Soren Kierkegaard, 1813-1855). Do you need to face divided loyalties?

Think Further

With an impressive capitol equipped with temple and palace, Solomon now redeploys his large workforce to improve the infrastructure of key cities across the land. Of the places mentioned, Hamath Zobah and Tadmor (3,4) are north of Damascus; Beth Horon and Baalath (5,6) are on the central route that connects Jerusalem to the Mediterranean coast, and Ezion Geber (17) is right down on the gulf of Aqaba. This was the greatest empire that Israel ever controlled.

Some scholars think this chapter is structured to lead into the section (12-15) that talks about the temple again and then back out to continue the theme of the growing wealth of the whole kingdom. The effect is to confirm that when the first priority is met and worship is attended to, then God responds by blessing the other aspects of the community’s life. It is also not sufficient to have one great inaugural celebration. It was important that Solomon made sure the regular rhythms were established—daily prayer, weekly and monthly worship and the major annual festivals. These were the things that would sustain the long term faith and commitment of the covenant community.

There is a brief reference to one of Solomon’s wives, the Egyptian princess whose home is to be kept separate from places the ark has been (11), places that have become associated with the holiness of the Lord. This mention, however, reminds us of the part of the story that the chronicler undoubtedly knew but omitted. 1 Kings tells us that Solomon allowed his many wives to have separate places to worship their gods and that gradually he joined in with them and his heart was no longer single-minded in devotion to the Lord (1 Kings 11:4).

Apply

We may become aware of failings of particular church leaders. Beware of being dismissive of their good achievements where they have led the congregation in a godly direction.

Closing prayer

Lord, forgive me that sometimes I become comfortable with sin. Bring me to new devotion and loyalty to You.

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