1st Chronicles 28 THE GREAT GATHERING The main point of the book of 1st Chronicles is now addressed in a great gathering of all the leaders of Israel. Those who returned from Babylon would have been impressed with the importance of the work they were to do for the Lord by reading about the arrangements made for the original temple. It is a valuable way of passing on truth, to recount the origins of what we believe and how it came into practice. The four Gospels recount the life and teaching of the Person to whom we gather and to whom we are responsible. The book of Acts gives an overview of how it was first practiced in a variety of cultures and how the work of the Lord spread. It also gives accounts of how various difficulties were faced and how problems were solved. The application of the truth of God in a wide variety of nations is written about in the church epistles, and how it is applied locally in the pastoral epistles. Cross-cultural teaching is given as to how God's people give testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ in those first and second generations of assembly believers.
The Chronicles follow a similar pattern. The actual events are not described in detail in the Chronicles because the purpose was to motivate the present generation to do in their day what God wanted, by using what they had. The gathering of all the leaders was necessary so that there would be no confusion or misunderstanding as to what was being done. Those involved in business would be called upon to do what was in their area of expertise for the common goal. Those engaged in agriculture, civil servants and the military all needed to know the objective clearly so that in whatever way they could, they would be part of the temple-building project.
Even though David was old, he was determined to pass on his enthusiasm for building the temple to others so they could catch his vision and assist his inexperienced son. Experienced believers who know what God has done and still can do because He is unchanging, need to help younger Christians to get a sense of the value of spiritual things in a secular age. There is much more to life that survival. To spend all our energy on what we eat, drink, own or use for our pleasure is very shallow living and does not satisfy the heart. Lofty goals give us a sense of real purpose in life and establishes in us values that lift us above the mundane, to those things that are holy and lasting.
I see in my mind's eye, David struggling to his feet and standing in respect for those who have gathered, for the God he loves, and for the importance of the work before the people that he wants to impress upon them. This was not a casual approach to an important work. Even though he was old and weak in body, he wanted full participation. So, he did not address them as subjects who were being told what to do by their king. Rather he speaks to them as "my brethren, my people." There was equality of value in each person even if their calling and roles in life were different. His ambition was to build a house for the Lord as a "footstool" for the Almighty God. In his use of words, he was able to transmit the importance of the project.
He had received plans from God the Spirit, so the project was not insignificant. This was similar to the way Moses received the plans for the building of the tabernacle. God's promise was to have Solomon carry out the project, and the was necessary for all the national leaders to know. They would have become serious, and perhaps cautious and even afraid, when they were told this was to be the "throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel." This was not a mere building project to impress people. The fact that God chose Solomon to be king was made clear to all the leadership. The affair of Adonijah and conflicts in the family of David were not addresses by the chronicler because it would have served no positive purpose as far as building a new temple. The returned Jews just had to know that God was with them in the work before them in the same way He was with the building of the original temple.
Principles of gathering are given for the house of God today. We are not left to decide how we will do it to suit ourselves. Our objective is not in the style of the building in which we meet but the in "living stones" that compose the building. Saved people are the silver vessels that have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Gold reminds us of the divine nature of God that is displayed by the new nature of those who "walk with the Lord in the light of His word." Some are solid gold and others are gold overlay, but God is the One who knows the depth of our devotion, love and commitment. We praise God for every evidence of the divine life we see in His people when we are in fellowship in the house of God.
The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind every activity in which we are engaged. He is "near unto all that call upon Him out of a pure heart," but rejects those who forsake Him. How awesome is the thought that every thought, action, word and attitude I have, is known by Him. He has plans for me - I should have plans for ways to serve Him. God chose David to be the head of a dynasty of leaders in Israel forever, but not to build the temple. David's role was not to be the one to outwardly display the physical glories of the temple to the "Ohh's and Ahh's!!!" of men. That was what Solomon was chosen to fulfill. He was commissioned to fulfill the task in spite of the difficulties that were associated with such a great work. Solomon was chosen as a "son" of the Lord.
Our understanding of our calling and election as to what we do as well as who we are, makes it possible for us to face and work through difficult things without resentment or self-pity. When we know what we are responsible for, we can expect God to be with us in that work because we are confident He gave it to us. David put down in writing all that God wanted done. We have in writing all we need to be effective in what God expects from us. Cooperation with God and fellowship with other believers makes a work for the Lord a joy to us, and a privilege rather than a tedious task.
There was no hidden agenda in this work. David called leaders from all parts of the nation who represented the people, and openly in sight of all who gathered there spoke of the objective of building the temple, and who God had chosen to lead the project. In that way there was no reason for anyone to misunderstand what was going on or what was expected of them. He spoke of God's plans for the nation of Israel and for his own descendants. He openly gave charge to Solomon to fulfill the work and made plain the way the Lord views His work.
Cooperation and delegation in a work is not complicated nor hard to commit to if there is an openness regarding the work and the reasons for it. Our greatest motivation to get at a work and keep at it until it is finished is that we have received this commission from God. The Lord makes His requirements clear and His expectations are not unreasonable. When we know what God wants and are careful to carry out His commands, spiritual prosperity and continuity of the work will follow. It is our duty to know His word. The key to success in His work and happiness in our souls is that we search His word and do what He says. When we are engaged in a work and it is doing without shortcuts for our own selfish reasons, and justice is done in the work according to His word, then we can rest in quiet confidence.
To ignore God's word or neglect it, and not be willing to do His will, the work in which we are involved will fail. We have to consistently follow through with that for which we have been chosen by the Spirit of God. Nothing can be hid from God who knows every thought and intention of our hearts. To follow His guidance and try to hide anything from Him enables us to live and labor with joy.
Solomon may have been afraid of the weight of responsibility, so he was challenged by his father who knew the pain of sin and the blessing of forgiveness to have his own personal experiences with God. He had to commit himself to know God and serve Him with a perfect heart and willing mind. Devotion to God makes working for God a joy to us and gives to us a real meaning for the effort it takes to continue in the work. Seeking God when in doubt will result in Him finding us and making us conscious of living in fellowship with Him. Our work for God comes from Him and we should not forsake it, or Him for any reason. When we have been given a work - "Do it!!"
The pattern of the temple was not an easy work to do. The immensity of the task and the amount of the material needed was astounding and the labor needed was daunting. There are times when we feel totally inadequate, for the tasks we are called upon to accomplish. But when we know the pattern is from God, the materials we need will be supplied from His abundant storehouse through His omnipotent hand. He had chosen us to do this work - then move ahead confidently. David had received divine communication, and Solomon had written communication. So, he was to be strong and courageous - and get to work. To start a work is often the most fearful part of it because we are building on nothing but instructions. God has given us the pattern, "Go ye into all the world..." is His commission. So now it is up to us to start - and do it.
There are principles that we live by and pass on to our children that are tried and proven. We need to pass them on to the Lord's people so they will not be afraid or discouraged. A person needs to know God personally so that when He gives guidance in life, we take it personally from Him. By reading the scriptures (listening to our Father), we learn what His commands are and how to carry them out. Our heart has to be in the work. This is only possible if we love and appreciate our Lord and find our joy in bringing Him joy.
Our service for God is to be done with a willing heart and mind in the same way we share with an earthly father who is teaching us how to do things in the right way. When I have learned how to do a work, I should be consistent and faithful in it, in spite of obstacles or opposition. To know the will of God and do it, should be enough to keep me from being discouraged. It is expected that a work for God is a work - not a "situation." It is not spending an easy day in the park in which we relax, play and sleep, or only work when we feel like it.
We are not involved in building a temple for God to use as a footstool, but in building a church which "the gates of hell" cannot overcome. The Head is in place. The foundation is laid. Others have been building on that foundation for generations. Now it is our turn to continue the same building project that Peter, James, John, Paul and others down through the years had been working on. It is our turn to do our part and pass on to others following us the training and skill to do their part after we are gone.