Christ in 2 Chronicles: Our Wise King

The book of 2 Chronicles begins with the reign of King Solomon, the building of the temple, and its dedication, and a visit from The Queen of Sheba.  This first section of the book, on which we will focus today, ends with King Solomon’s death in chapter 9.  The remainder of the book follows the kingdom of Judah under a series of good and evil kings, times of blessing and times of punishment, times of disobedience followed by times of repentance.  The time period covered is approximately 971 B.C. – 586 B.C.  It is a testimony to the longsuffering nature of God, as well as the holiness and justice of God. Sadly, it is also a testimony to the sinful nature of humankind and our tendency to stray away from God and to conform to the world around us.  We are reminded over, and over, and over again that God has a plan for His people, and that His plan needs to be followed without compromise.
 

·   Just as Solomon was king over God’s people, Jesus now reigns over God’s people.

“You showed so much kindness to my father David,” Solomon replied to God,“and you have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be fulfilled because you have made me king over a people as numerous as the earth’s dust.” (2 Chronicles 1:8-9)

He has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:16)

·   Solomon was renowned for his wisdom, as was Jesus.

God said to Solomon, “Since this is what you wish, and because you’ve asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I’ve made you king . . .  your request for wisdom and knowledge is granted.” (1 Chronicles 1:11, 12) 

The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. (Luke 2:40)

·   Solomon built the temple where the Spirit of God abided.  But Jesus Christ made us His temple, making it possible for His Spirit to abide within us.

Then a cloud filled the Lord’s temple. The priests were unable to carry out their duties on account of the cloud because the Lord’s glory filled God’s temple. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
 

Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) 

·   The temple was designed by God and designated as the place for His people to make sacrifices and worship Him.  Jesus Christ established His church (not a building, but a fellowship of believers) and told us to meet together regularly to worship Him and to learn more about Him.

Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place as my house of sacrifice . . . From now on my eyes will be open and my ears will pay attention to the prayers offered in this place, because I have chosen this temple and declared it holy so that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. (2 Chronicles 7:12, 15-16)

And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

·   King Solomon became famous all over the world.  The Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia) heard about his wisdom, his riches, and the glory of his kingdom, and she wanted to see it for herself.  When she did, she was amazed by what she saw and heard from Solomon’s own lips.  But Jesus Christ is so much greater than Solomon!

When the queen of Sheba heard reports about Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with riddles. Accompanying her was a huge entourage, with camels carrying spices, large amounts of gold, and precious stones. After she arrived, she told Solomon everything that was on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to answer. When the queen of Sheba saw how wise Solomon was, the palace he had built, the food on his table, his servants’ quarters, the function and dress of his attendants, his cupbearers and their dress, and the entirely burned offerings he offered at the Lord’s temple, it took her breath away.  “The report I heard about your deeds and wisdom when I was still at home is true,” she said to the king. “I didn’t believe it until I came and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, the half of it wasn’t told to me! You have far more than I was told. Your people and these servants who continually serve you and get to listen to your wisdom are truly happy! Bless the Lord your God because he was pleased to put you on the throne as king for the Lord your God. Because your God loved Israel and wanted to establish them forever, he has made you their king to uphold justice and righteousness." (2 Chronicles 9:1-8) 

The queen of the South will be raised up by God at the judgment with this generation and condemn it because she came from a distant land to hear Solomon’s wisdom. And look, someone greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:42)

So what do these parallels between Solomon and his temple and Jesus mean to you and to me today?  Is Jesus king of your life, or do you sit on your own throne?  Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; the knowledge of the holy one is understanding.”  Do you have such a reverence (fear) for God that He is able to instill His wisdom in you?  Have you allowed God’s Holy Spirit to abide in you, to fill every area of your life?  Do you worship God regularly with other Christ-followers?  Are you involved in Bible study and corporate worship, or do you make excuses, pretending to worship on the golf course, or on the lake, or in your garden?  Does your life and your demeanor cause people to ask what you have that they don’t?  Are people curious about your beliefs?  Are you ready to give an answer when people ask about your faith?  We are told in 1 Peter 3:15-16 to be prepared to give an answer when we are asked, always gently, with compassion and a tender heart:  “Instead, regard Christ as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. Yet do this with respectful humility, maintaining a good conscience.”  If we will be faithful in obedience to Him, others will be just as amazed at Christ’s love and the riches of His kingdom as the Queen of Sheba was at Solomon’s wisdom and riches.

My prayer this week is taken from Solomon’s prayer, 2 Chronicles 6:14:  “Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on the earth. You keep the covenant and show loyalty to your servants who walk before you with all their heart. (Help me to walk before you with all my heart, give me wisdom, and help me to tell others about you.). Amen."

(All scripture is from  the Common English Bible)