How to establish the worship of God on earth 2
It must have been a very grand state occasion when David spoke these words to Solomon. In 28:1 it becomes clear that this is so. There is some repetition in these chapters but there are at least four new things to note about the establishment of the worship of God.
It must have been a very grand state occasion when David spoke these words to Solomon. In 28:1 it becomes clear that this is so. There is some repetition in these chapters but there are at least four new things to note about the establishment of the worship of God.
1. It will be established by one chosen by God
In 29:1 we read ‘the one whom God has chosen’. David begins by again explaining how he had wanted to build the Temple but had been forbidden by God. He then refers firstly to God choosing him and then to Solomon as his successor and the one who would build the temple. See verses 5-7.
'Of all my sons - and the LORD has given me many - he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. He said to me, Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom for ever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.'
The worship of God is to be established by one chosen by God. The temple was established by Solomon but the worship of God on earth, worship everywhere in Spirit and in truth, is established by the Lord Jesus Christ – he is the one God has chosen to do it. It cannot be
established without him.
In 29:1 we read ‘the one whom God has chosen’. David begins by again explaining how he had wanted to build the Temple but had been forbidden by God. He then refers firstly to God choosing him and then to Solomon as his successor and the one who would build the temple. See verses 5-7.
'Of all my sons - and the LORD has given me many - he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. He said to me, Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom for ever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.'
The worship of God is to be established by one chosen by God. The temple was established by Solomon but the worship of God on earth, worship everywhere in Spirit and in truth, is established by the Lord Jesus Christ – he is the one God has chosen to do it. It cannot be
established without him.2. It will be established through sincere obedience
In light of this David speaks to the leaders and says (8, 9a) 'So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants for ever.'
To Solomon, as leader of the people, he says 'acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.'
We must never forget that. David goes on 'If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you for ever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.'
That is the message for us who believe today - the LORD has chosen you to build a temple … Be strong and do the work. Let us be about this grand work of building the church through worship and praise.
In light of this David speaks to the leaders and says (8, 9a) 'So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants for ever.'
To Solomon, as leader of the people, he says 'acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.'
We must never forget that. David goes on 'If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you for ever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.'
That is the message for us who believe today - the LORD has chosen you to build a temple … Be strong and do the work. Let us be about this grand work of building the church through worship and praise.
3. It will be established according to God-given plans and instructions
Next (11-18) David gives Solomon the plans for the various parts of the temple. These plans ‘the Spirit had put in his mind.’ He also gave instructions regarding the conduct of worship in the temple and what was to be used, including the mercy seat or atonement cover, here called ‘the chariot’. This was the very throne of God. Verse 19 'All this, David said, I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan.'
When we talk about plans we think immediately of the Word of God. It is the plan, the road map, the God given chart, for conducting the worship of God. We must follow it to the letter.
4. It will be established as its progress is encouraged by God’s continued presence and help
In verse 20 David again says to Solomon ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work’. He goes on 'Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.'
That promise is for us too who believe. He is with us and will never fail us or forsake us. Further, just as for Solomon (21) 'The divisions of the priests and Levites were ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft was willing to help him in all the work by obeying.'
In a similar way we can be sure of God’s help today.
How the worship of God is to be sustained here on earth
Finally, in Chapter 29, David speaks of additional giving to the work that he has made and the leaders give too. David also praises God and the people follow suit. Here are lessons for us about sustaining the worship of God. It is sustained by several things.
Finally, in Chapter 29, David speaks of additional giving to the work that he has made and the leaders give too. David also praises God and the people follow suit. Here are lessons for us about sustaining the worship of God. It is sustained by several things.
1. What Christ has already given
There is some repetition at the beginning but then David says that in addition to what he has already given, he wants to give gold and silver from his personal treasures. This gives us an insight into the way that the Lord Jesus has given to us. Such giving sustains the work.
2. The giving of God’s people
However, David challenges the others there and says (5) ‘Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?’ And there is an excellent response. The various leaders also give tons and tons of gold, silver, bronze and iron and also precious stones. 9 'The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.' They are like the Philippian believers in Paul’s day who first gave themselves to the work and then gave gifts to the work. What a joy it is when God’s people freely give.
However, David challenges the others there and says (5) ‘Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?’ And there is an excellent response. The various leaders also give tons and tons of gold, silver, bronze and iron and also precious stones. 9 'The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.' They are like the Philippian believers in Paul’s day who first gave themselves to the work and then gave gifts to the work. What a joy it is when God’s people freely give.
3. Worship that is lead by Christ
We then read (10-13) that 'David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours, etc.' He goes on to humbly express the fact that it is God who enables his people to be generous and that they are only giving God what he has already given them. This is how the Lord leads us to worship God – humbling ourselves and honouring him.
4. The prayers of its head
Then in verses 18 and 19 David prays 'O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people for ever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.'
That is how Christ prays for all who believe. 'And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.' The Lord’s desire is for his worship to flourish through Christ.
5. Worship from the people of God
David then urges the others (20) to ‘Praise the LORD your God. So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king.’ They all worshipped. They also made many sacrifices and (22) ‘They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day’ and acknowledged Solomon as king a second time, with Zadok as priest. What a glorious picture. This is how it should be with every believer today.
David then urges the others (20) to ‘Praise the LORD your God. So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king.’ They all worshipped. They also made many sacrifices and (22) ‘They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day’ and acknowledged Solomon as king a second time, with Zadok as priest. What a glorious picture. This is how it should be with every believer today.
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