2Ch 5:4-7 | KingComments | STEP | Then Solomon brings the ark to the temple ( ). That reminds us of what David did when he brought the ark to Zion in the tent he had made for it. Everything in the temple is larger than in the tabernacle, except the ark. This reminds us that the Lord Jesus is always the same, in the glorious days of the church and also in the days of decay in which we now live. Whether two or three come together as a church or two hundred or three hundred, He is as Personally present as the one Center. In connection with this, in bringing the ark to the temple we can see a picture of forming a local church where the Lord Jesus is in the midst. The dedication of the temple takes place at the same time with a feast. The feast, “that is [in] the seventh month” ( ), is the Feast of Booths. The tabernacle was erected at the time of the Passover ( ); the church was formed at Pentecost ( ). The Feast of Booths is celebrated when all the harvests have been collected, that is to say the harvests of corn, wine and olives. It is a feast of peace. The blessing of the land is enjoyed by a people who live in the land with the dwelling place of God in their midst. This is a beautiful picture of what the church is and what is experienced when the Lord Jesus gets His place in the church. The ark is ‘taken up’ ( ), which means that the Levites will transport the ark correctly, namely on their shoulders ( ; ). The ark now gets its final place in the “house of rest” ( ). The ark is lost forever later, at the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar ( ). It is replaced by the Lord Jesus, of Whom the ark is a picture, when He comes on earth. The ark is a place of rest, it is “the footstool of our God” ( ). That is the Lord Jesus for God and also for us. Christ Himself finds peace in the midst of the church. Not only the ark, but also “the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils which [were] in the tent” are brought up. Solomon has not received an order for this. The tent has been replaced by the temple. With that the tent has finished. Also the objects in the tent are not necessary for the temple, because everything is in it. Everything is accompanied by many sacrifices ( ) that are brought on the altar that Solomon made. Ark and altar are closely connected. They have been separated for a while, but are being reunited here again. It points out that the place of worship (altar) is the place where the Lord Jesus is (ark). The ark goes “into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the holy of holies, under the wings of the cherubim” ( ). This indicates the complete protection of the ark. The ark cannot be affected by any outside evil influence. Then the poles ( ) are mentioned. They are not needed any longer, because the ark has found its resting place. This is the place David coveted, sought and found for it ( ). The poles remain attached to it and are therefore a constant reminder of the journey through the wilderness. So it is with the Lord Jesus. Although He is in heaven now, there will always be the memory of His walk on earth. In the ark are the two stone tablets, a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded ( ). Yet it says here that only the two stone tablets are in it ( ). All three together give a picture of the life and the death of the Lord Jesus. The manna is Christ as He lived on earth and died. Manna is the food of Israel in the wilderness. Christ is the manna for us. However, we are no longer in the wilderness. Therefore, there is no longer a jar with manna here (cf. ). We also don’t find a budding staff here. Christ not only died, He also rose up. He lives for us. We see this in the service of Aaron. A nation in the land, however, does not need a priest like Aaron. What remains are the stone tablets: that is the covenant of the LORD. They represent the relationship that exists between God and His people. This relationship will continue forever. The stone tablets are the expression of God’s will, which always remains: “But the word of the Lord endures forever” ( ).

‏ 2 Chronicles 5:4-7

The Ark Brought up Into the Temple

Then Solomon brings the ark to the temple (2Chr 5:2). That reminds us of what David did when he brought the ark to Zion in the tent he had made for it. Everything in the temple is larger than in the tabernacle, except the ark. This reminds us that the Lord Jesus is always the same, in the glorious days of the church and also in the days of decay in which we now live. Whether two or three come together as a church or two hundred or three hundred, He is as Personally present as the one Center. In connection with this, in bringing the ark to the temple we can see a picture of forming a local church where the Lord Jesus is in the midst.

The dedication of the temple takes place at the same time with a feast. The feast, “that is [in] the seventh month” (2Chr 5:3), is the Feast of Booths. The tabernacle was erected at the time of the Passover (Exo 40:2); the church was formed at Pentecost (Acts 2:1). The Feast of Booths is celebrated when all the harvests have been collected, that is to say the harvests of corn, wine and olives. It is a feast of peace. The blessing of the land is enjoyed by a people who live in the land with the dwelling place of God in their midst. This is a beautiful picture of what the church is and what is experienced when the Lord Jesus gets His place in the church.

The ark is ‘taken up’ (2Chr 5:4), which means that the Levites will transport the ark correctly, namely on their shoulders (Num 7:9; Deu 10:8). The ark now gets its final place in the “house of rest” (1Chr 28:2). The ark is lost forever later, at the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 3:16). It is replaced by the Lord Jesus, of Whom the ark is a picture, when He comes on earth. The ark is a place of rest, it is “the footstool of our God” (1Chr 28:2). That is the Lord Jesus for God and also for us. Christ Himself finds peace in the midst of the church.

Not only the ark, but also “the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils which [were] in the tent” are brought up. Solomon has not received an order for this. The tent has been replaced by the temple. With that the tent has finished. Also the objects in the tent are not necessary for the temple, because everything is in it.

Everything is accompanied by many sacrifices (2Chr 5:6) that are brought on the altar that Solomon made. Ark and altar are closely connected. They have been separated for a while, but are being reunited here again. It points out that the place of worship (altar) is the place where the Lord Jesus is (ark).

The ark goes “into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the holy of holies, under the wings of the cherubim” (2Chr 5:7-8). This indicates the complete protection of the ark. The ark cannot be affected by any outside evil influence. Then the poles (2Chr 5:9) are mentioned. They are not needed any longer, because the ark has found its resting place. This is the place David coveted, sought and found for it (Psa 132:3-5). The poles remain attached to it and are therefore a constant reminder of the journey through the wilderness. So it is with the Lord Jesus. Although He is in heaven now, there will always be the memory of His walk on earth.

In the ark are the two stone tablets, a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded (Heb 9:4). Yet it says here that only the two stone tablets are in it (2Chr 5:10). All three together give a picture of the life and the death of the Lord Jesus. The manna is Christ as He lived on earth and died. Manna is the food of Israel in the wilderness. Christ is the manna for us. However, we are no longer in the wilderness. Therefore, there is no longer a jar with manna here (cf. Jos 5:12). We also don’t find a budding staff here. Christ not only died, He also rose up. He lives for us. We see this in the service of Aaron. A nation in the land, however, does not need a priest like Aaron.

What remains are the stone tablets: that is the covenant of the LORD. They represent the relationship that exists between God and His people. This relationship will continue forever. The stone tablets are the expression of God’s will, which always remains: “But the word of the Lord endures forever” (1Pet 1:25a).