Here is part one of my learnings from 2 Chronicles (by chapter).
- Leading God's people is a staggering task.
- Something else staggering is the size of the workforce building the Temple. Add the numbers from verse 2 = 153,600. Wonder if they had workman's comp.
- I also wonder if anyone has figured out how much Solomon's Temple would cost to construct and furnish in today's dollars. Gold nails weighing a little over a pound each?
- Even the tongs, lamps, bowls, ladles, and wick trimmers were made of gold.
- Man, I would have loved to have been a part of this worship experience. There is nothing greater than to experience times of worship when it is evident that God has shown up.
- Solomon knew how to pray--a pertinent reminder how leaders must make sure prayer is a prominent part of worship in God's house.
- As glorious a celebration as the Temple dedication was, it was tempered with stern warnings about what would happen if they turned away from God.
- Verse 6--a forewarning of Solomon's downfall. He built impulsively and extravagantly.
- With today's value of gold ($870/oz when I first wrote this), the Queen of Sheba's gift to Solomon (9 tons of gold) would have a street value of more than $125 million. Just 1% of that would cover the $1 million we were targeting for the REACH campaign.
- Verse 7--although the elders' advice was not followed, their wisdom was right on target. If you want people to follow, be a servant, consider their needs, be compassionate, and work things out.
- We need more Shemaiahs in our churches, holy men who are in tune with God and willing to speak up for God.
- God honors repentance but repentance doesn't necessarily eliminate the consequences of God's judgment.
- Plotting and fighting against God is not a wise thing to do.
- Chronicles and Kings tell many of the same stories. One difference is that Chronicles describes the kings of Judah in a more favorable way.
- Asa is to be commended for leading people to a renewed covenant with God. However, to kill those not willing to get right with God? I think that may have been Asa's doing more than God's.
- God is always looking for people fully committed to Him.
- Amasiah was a "volunteer for God." May every volunteer at CBC see himself/herself as a "volunteer for God."
- Like Micaiah, am I willing to speak what I believe God is saying even if I'm the only one speaking out?
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