What helped the people in Jerusalem arise and continue the work on the temple? The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the people. When the people were reminded that it was God who was over them and not the rulers of Persia they continued the work on the temple. When we undertake any endeavor relying on our own strength we are easily overwhelmed and waylaid but when we are following in the steps of God as He works we will have success. As the temple work continued it was evident that God was blessing the people working in Jerusalem because the hearts of the men against Israel were not as resolute and king Darius honored the decree given by king Cyrus. God was using the men in authority in Persia to bring about his purpose and desires for Israel. God will always be faithful and our hope today will always be found in Jesus Christ.

When the temple was completed what emotions filled the hearts of the people of Israel? Was there an overwhelming sense of thankfulness, joy, and hope as the people again were walking with God after the many years of their fathers disobedience? Will the completion of the temple be a catalyst for bringing the Israelites back home? How quickly did news spread about the rebuilt temple? The next time you face opposing odds remember the story found in Ezra 6 and 7. The task that is set before you may seem like foolishness through the worlds eyes but if God has called you to the work at hand he will bring it to fruition. Make a stand for your faith in the midst of opposition and watch expectantly for God to work.

When the Ark is finally transported the Levites took up the role for which they were chosen. The Levites again stand in the gap between God and the people of Israel as they carry and care for the Ark. The story that is woven throughout scripture will never cease to amaze me as I continually see how God is orchestrating everything.

The hidden gem within 1 Chronicles 16 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving. In the midst of all the genealogies there is a beautiful picture of the relationship between God and His beloved. We need to remember and give thanks for what God has done through His continual daily deliverance through the trials of life and the mundane daily grind. How can we do anything but proclaim how great God is to all people around us. God needs the be given the proper awe and wonder that He deserves as we seek to cling to Him. Read through 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 and experience the beauty of this Psalm and to feel the complete weight of this Psalm read through the first 15 chapters in 1 Chronicles and you will feel refreshment and joy it brings.

What is the Temple used for? What is the significance of the Temple being built? Why was Solomon able to build the Temple? The Temple is being built by Solomon as a permanent structure for God to dwell in among the Israelites. This Temple would replace the Tabernacle that Moses built for the Lord almost 500 years earlier as the place where the people could commune with God.

Where was the Tabernacle throughout the 500 years? The Tabernacle traveled with the Israelites through the wilderness and after the conquest of the promised land resided in Shiloh where the people would travel yearly to offer sacrifices to God. After I had finished reading the Pentateuch I forgot the inherent centrality the Tabernacle of the Lord played in the lives of the Israelites. Throughout all of the discord, discontent, and disobedience displayed from Joshua to 2 Samuel was the Tabernacle consistently used? When David brought the Ark into Jerusalem in 2 Samuel was the Tabernacle still used?

What did the permanence of the Temple compared to the movable Tabernacle signify to the Israelites? In 1 Kings 6:12,13 God spoke to Solomon, “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry our My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” The Temple was a symbol of the covenant and relationship that existed between God and the people of Israel. Was it an exciting seven years in Jerusalem as the Temple was built to completion?

As I read about the Temple in 1 Kings I wonder how long it will be before the people of Israel idolize the Temple instead of truly worshiping God. This is one of the dangers we face today as christians because we build grand houses to worship God but we are truly dead inside a hollow shell attempting to worship a God we have trivialized. To what extent has the church lost it’s true and lofty view of God and created a ritualized weekly regiment of process over a true relationship with God? When we are surrounded by the great and wonderful blessings that God has bestowed upon us be careful to not fall away from God just as the Israelites fell away from God after inheriting the promised land just as Moses and Joshua foretold. I encourage you to be thankful for all the blessings that God has given to you but never allow them to become the focal point of your admiration and desire. Cling to God in all areas of your life and you will have the foundation that you need to make it through life.

In Numbers chapter 11 you can see the worn leader Moses as he laments to God about the headstrong and unbelieving Israelites. He wishes for death instead of being a nursemaid for the people. In weariness it is hard to remember the wondrous power that God has. Moses forgets that God’s power is limitless. When the people complained to God about lacking meat in chapter 11 God provided an abundance of quail. There quail was piled three feet high all around the camp for a days journey in all directions there was quail. That is a lot of meat. I hope and pray that I would have been thankful for the food but the Israelites took the food and ate it with out giving thanks to God. God’s anger was kindled and the camp was struck by severe plague.

Following the story of unbelief in Numbers chapter 11 we are given another account of people complaining against God in Numbers 12. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because they felt that God was not just speaking through Moses by saying, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken though us as well?” Here is what God says in response:

Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, shall make myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream.
Not so, with My servant Moses,
He is faithful in all My household;
With him I speak mouth to mouth,
Even openly, and not in dark sayings,
And he beholds the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant, against Moses?

Numbers 11:6-8 NASB

God was angry with Aaron and Miriam. Miriam became leprous after God departed and she had to live outside the camp for 7 days and then she became whole again. I am amazed that in the midst of seeing God’s wonder day after day that humans can still grumble and complain about what God is doing or how He does things.

What does Numbers 11 and 12 have for us to apply in our daily lives? I think it is crucial that we focus on God alone and find our satisfaction in Him. It was all too easy got the Israelites to look back upon their lives and think that their bondage in Egypt was better than living by faith daily with God. I’ll admit that it does take time to seek God daily today just as collecting manna for food took a lot of time. Developing a vibrant relationship with God can take time but what we reap in return is more precious than anything. Why should I choose a life of bondage to a life in sin when true freedom is mine in Christ Jesus? Heed the warning in Numbers and seek out and be thankful for that daily feasting we can have in God.