1 Chronicles 22:1-19
The
writer of Chronicles writes about a temple that King David wants to
build. David says that this temple will be the most famous temple in the
world, one that everyone will notice and hear about. This temple will
be an intersection between God and man, something unheard of in the
world at this time.
Temples are normal. Building temples is normal. But, building a temple that intersects God and man is a breakthrough concept to the people of this time. But, it goes deeper than this.
In the narrative, David says that his God told him, "Because you have shed so much blood before me, you will not be the one to build this temple. Your son will be the one. And I will bring him peace with his surrounding enemies, and I will establish my throne through him for eternity."
Throughout the passage the writer talks about what the temple will be built out of - stones, iron, bronze, and cedar.
Or, the materials David used throughout his lifetime to conquer lands and people. Fight, conquer, clear the land, and establish the throne.
What is the author trying to convey to the audience at this time?
This God is different. This God wants to take the materials that are being used to conquer, kill, and destroy, and use them to build a temple that intersects humanity with the divine. This God wants to take the materials that were once used for war, and use them to bring peace.
So, how does this apply to us?
In order to answer this, I have to tell you a story about New Years Eve.
I'm a recovered alcoholic. Last New Years, my girlfriend held a party at her house, and all our friends showed up - normal drinkers I might add. There was a blender for margaritas, there was a cooler full of beer, and there was a sense of community.
This was the first time in my sobriety that I would be the one serving the drinks.
So, from the get go, I chose to be a good bartender. I went around asking people if they needed a drink, blended margaritas, poured liquor, grabbed beers, and served our friends.
What was once the source of death and misery for me, was not being used as a source of life and fellowship. The materials that once led to jail trips and broken relationships now led to bringing other people joy.
The author is telling us about a god who doesn't want iron, bronze, cedar, and stone to be used to fight and conquer. That's what all the other gods are for. This god is different.
This god wants to use the things that everybody else uses to bring destruction, to bring life and peace to the world.
And that begs the question: How are we doing with our materials? Our weapons? Our words? Our skills and trades? Are we using them to build sacred places where humanity can intersect the divine? Or, are we just following in line with the way the rest of the world builds its temples, fights its wars, conquers its lands, and follows its gods?
Today's Action: Make a list of all our materials - houses, cars, computers, clothes, money, time, beds, blankets, passions, skills, etc. With each material, ask, "Am I using this to create an intersection between man and God?"
Temples are normal. Building temples is normal. But, building a temple that intersects God and man is a breakthrough concept to the people of this time. But, it goes deeper than this.
In the narrative, David says that his God told him, "Because you have shed so much blood before me, you will not be the one to build this temple. Your son will be the one. And I will bring him peace with his surrounding enemies, and I will establish my throne through him for eternity."
Throughout the passage the writer talks about what the temple will be built out of - stones, iron, bronze, and cedar.
Or, the materials David used throughout his lifetime to conquer lands and people. Fight, conquer, clear the land, and establish the throne.
What is the author trying to convey to the audience at this time?
This God is different. This God wants to take the materials that are being used to conquer, kill, and destroy, and use them to build a temple that intersects humanity with the divine. This God wants to take the materials that were once used for war, and use them to bring peace.
So, how does this apply to us?
In order to answer this, I have to tell you a story about New Years Eve.
I'm a recovered alcoholic. Last New Years, my girlfriend held a party at her house, and all our friends showed up - normal drinkers I might add. There was a blender for margaritas, there was a cooler full of beer, and there was a sense of community.
This was the first time in my sobriety that I would be the one serving the drinks.
So, from the get go, I chose to be a good bartender. I went around asking people if they needed a drink, blended margaritas, poured liquor, grabbed beers, and served our friends.
What was once the source of death and misery for me, was not being used as a source of life and fellowship. The materials that once led to jail trips and broken relationships now led to bringing other people joy.
The author is telling us about a god who doesn't want iron, bronze, cedar, and stone to be used to fight and conquer. That's what all the other gods are for. This god is different.
This god wants to use the things that everybody else uses to bring destruction, to bring life and peace to the world.
And that begs the question: How are we doing with our materials? Our weapons? Our words? Our skills and trades? Are we using them to build sacred places where humanity can intersect the divine? Or, are we just following in line with the way the rest of the world builds its temples, fights its wars, conquers its lands, and follows its gods?
Today's Action: Make a list of all our materials - houses, cars, computers, clothes, money, time, beds, blankets, passions, skills, etc. With each material, ask, "Am I using this to create an intersection between man and God?"
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