BEAUTIFUL SHADOWS. 2nd Chronicles 4 Everything in the temple, from the altar to the cherubim in the holiest part, was significantly larger than what was found in the tabernacle. A large number of people would participate in visiting the temple, so the increase in size was deemed necessary. In all our efforts for the Lord, we need to carefully adhere to the instructions He provides. He who knows the outcome of every matter expects us to follow His guidance to achieve the best results. Artistic and creative individuals do not have the authority to alter the word of God for any reason to make spiritual worship more enticing to the people, no matter how dramatic and beautiful their art might be. The brazen altar was the first object encountered when a person entered the court of the temple. This illustrates that our approach to God can only be through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf. This altar was significantly larger than the brazen altar in the courtyard of the tabernacle, providing ample room for numerous priests and a larger volume of sacrifices. The brass altar and the holiest place where the ark sat were at the same height and aligned with each other. This reflects the righteous judgment of God through the sacrifice on the altar and the perfect holiness of God, which are equally important. God is neither more righteous than glorious nor more glorious than holy. The character of God ensures that every attribute is infinite. Man-made altars in church buildings or any other place miss the true purpose of an altar. The materials used to create a beautiful altar at the front of an auditorium, or the emphasis on materialism in worship, have no place where our Great High Priest ministers on our behalf. Jesus "suffered without the gate," and we are to go forth unto Him without the camp bearing His reproach. The Sea was a vast basin that held approximately 20,000 gallons of water, where priests could wash before serving the Lord in the temple. It was supported by 12 brass bulls, representing the finest animal that could be offered as a sacrifice. Priests who worshipped and served in the temple had bare feet and hands and needed cleansing each time they engaged in spiritual service. They would wash their hands and feet there before serving at the altar. There were many more people in the kingdom of Israel under Solomon's reign, necessitating more priests to serve at the larger altar, where numerous animals were being burned before the Lord. Because of the sacrifice of the greatest of all sacrifices, our Lord Jesus Christ, we are not only cleansed from our sin through His sacrifice, but this cleansing also opens the way into the presence of God for us as believers. We can enter into worship when we have been sanctified through the cleansing of water, the word of God, and the Holy Spirit. We have been cleansed from sin and its consequences by "the precious blood of Christ," so we require no further sacrifice for sin. But in our daily walk and service, we need the practical sanctification of the word of God and the Holy Spirit to avoid defiling what is holy. Even the artwork on the brass sea reminds us of the importance of living a pure life and spirit when we approach our God for any purpose. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." A pure conscience does not occur by chance but by choice when we apply the word of God with its sanctifying effects. Ten movable lavers, smaller basins that hold about 230 gallons of water, were used to wash the pieces of the burnt offerings so that they might represent the perfect sinlessness God demands. Those who come to worship Him are to do so in the spirit of holiness and "in spirit and in truth." Outward and inward purity serves as a testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ. Because He died in our place, our Lord has set us free forever by virtue of what He accomplished for us. A lampstand is distinct from a candlestick because the light in a lamp comes from the oil it contains, whereas a candle burns until it is completely consumed. The ten gold lampstands in the temple, five on each side of the first room, each with seven lamps, would illuminate the interior well. The single lampstand in the tabernacle provided sufficient light. The larger temple demanded more illumination. Now, as the design of the temple anticipates the millennium, we are reminded of a kingdom of light that expands as God's blessings multiply, creating a greater responsibility that makes the light of truth increasingly essential. Each lampstand symbolizes the light of truth and perfection in the church of God, which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit among God’s people. Worldwide, our Great High Priest makes the light of truth and righteousness visible through those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Each assembly of God's people serves as a lampstand for Him today, shining brightly as the truth of God is proclaimed in dark places. Every time we sit down with the Lord's people for the Lord's Supper for the first time in a new work, we are reminded of the light that is spreading all over the world. During the millennium, light will shine everywhere. Ten tables were placed in the first room of the temple, five on each side, contrasting with the single table of showbread in the tabernacle. Communion, harmony, and fellowship with God have been established and will continue in the kingdom of God, where Christ reigns as the King of kings. The tables reflect the grandeur of the temple and signify the growing number of people in the kingdom who serve and are served in holy fellowship. Fellowship at the table of remembrance signifies that the reality of fellowship with God and His people is essential both to Him and to us. The tables were adorned with gold as a testament to the divine nature of the Persons who convene together. Throughout the temple, the divinity of Christ is evident everywhere one looks as one enters the inner sanctum. Even items such as spoons, basins, and the doors - including the hinges – bear witness to a recognition of divinity in spiritual service. The outer doors were covered with brass, but when judgment is rendered because of the sacrifice made, He who has "entered the holiest with His own blood" once for all has opened the way for us through doors covered with gold, who have received the divine nature. There were two courts surrounding the temple, unlike the tabernacle, which had only one court. Only priests could enter the area near the temple, and a wall of separation existed between the temple and the inner court from the great court, where all the people could go. This illustrates how the priesthood of all believers distinguishes them from those who approach with a form, rituals, and self-serving motives. Spiritual priesthood becomes a reality when believers “come out from among them” and are separate, which has occurred since Christ came. The casting of the instruments used in the temple, along with the top and bottom of the pillars and other items that needed to be made of bronze, took place many miles away from the temple in the Jordan Valley. Zeradathah was where a specific type of clay was found, which could be shaped so that molten metal could be poured into molds made of that clay. Tons of gold were also crafted into sheets that could be pressed into shape for use on walls, tables, and even for nail heads and hinges on the doors. The clay in which the brass was molded produced that which ultimately emerged in brightness, bearing an image shaped in the earthen clay. From the dust of the ground come those who were "made in the image of God," and now possess new characteristics that shine. The righteous judgments of God are fully satisfied in Him who was "found in fashion as a man, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Craftsmen carefully followed the instructions God had given Solomon, and the results were unprecedented. When involved in work for the Lord, and clear instructions are provided, they are not open to “private interpretation.” There may be other times when we are expected to act on general instructions given by a commission to do work suitable for a place. Such actions would be acceptable and understood by those living there. There are God-given principles to be applied that may not be precise but must honor the glory of God. The purpose of our service and worship of God is to glorify and honor Him. Our praise should never be overshadowed by what we perceive as “spiritual things” intended to attract people to “come to church.” Making our worship, praise, and teaching pleasing to people, or ensuring they “feel comfortable,” places pleasing people above pleasing God. That is unacceptable in any form. Whether Solomon personally crafted the gold articles with his own hands remains unclear. What is evident is that God regarded them as made by Solomon. The golden altar, the ten gold-covered tables, the golden lampstands, and the gold-covered doors were all created by someone of the highest authority. Even the golden furnishings surpassed the capabilities of those ex-slaves. The tongs, snuffer, spoons, censers, and basins all served specific purposes in their creation and use. Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us through His Person and work so that we might have everything we need to approach God. From the smallest matters to the largest, He takes each issue personally and makes what we offer to God acceptable. Our access to God begins when His just judgment is satisfied. Only then can we enter into God's presence without fear. Both believers and unbelievers need to recognize the value and awe of God's presence among His people. Even though He is not seen, the shadows of His presence lend weight and authority to all we do in our lives and in the assemblies of God's people. The returning exiles, soon called upon to rebuild what had been destroyed, might have felt daunted by the descriptions of the original temple and its magnificence. As Ezra recounted these details, he could convey the significance of their mission. Although its grandeur could not be replicated, the temple's purpose remained the same as the one they were destined to construct. The beauty of the golden work—candlesticks, basins, tongs, and doors; the large amount of brass in the laver adorned with flowers—all these magnificent pieces of furniture and art shared something in common. Each had been formed in the clay ground. Without the clay, they couldn’t have been molded or shaped as they were. The malleable clay could be carefully worked before the precious metal was poured. In the clay, changes could be made, or mistakes corrected that hadn’t been noticed before. The final product could first be seen in the clay ground.
The site was distant from where the temple would be constructed. When the shovel was first employed, there was nothing but plain dirt. Yet, from that hidden location came results worthy of admiration. The beauty was initially discovered in the clay ground. Day after day, it was shoveled, scraped, carved, molded, and cut until just the right final motion was achieved. Then, it was sealed tightly so the precious metal could be poured. From it would emerge evidence of the clay ground's value. No one would likely consider, when they came to worship at God’s house, that before the stunning beauty could be revealed, someone had to search for and find a fundamental material about which no one would ever shout. He had to seek out and locate the clay ground.
We weren’t much to look at when we were still in the pit. It took the hand of the Master Artist to make each stone fit. No one else but the One who could see the end product could make sense of it. But He knew what could be done with the clay ground. I don’t know what the final result will look like when the Church is finally done. I don’t know what the angels will sing when the Church is finally at home. I do know there is One there who knows all – it’s God the Son. He’s the One who formed me out of the clay ground.