2nd Chronicles 4 BEAUTIFUL SHADOWS Everything in the temple from the altar to the cherubim in the holiest were much larger than those things in the tabernacle. Large numbers of people would be involved in coming to the temple so the increase in size was considered necessary. In every work for the Lord we need to carefully follow the instructions He gives. He who knows the end of every matter expects us to do what He says in order to bring out the best outcome. Artistic and creative people do not have the authority to add to the word of God for any reason in order to make spiritual worship more appealing to the people, no matter how dramatic and beautiful their art may be.
The brass altar was many times larger than the brazen altar in the courtyard of the tabernacle and would have provided room for a number of priests and a much larger number of sacrifices. The location of the brass altar and the holiest where the ark sat was the same height and in the same line. That which speaks of the righteous judgment of God by the sacrifice on the altar, and the perfect holiness of God are equal in importance. God is not more righteous than glorious, nor is He more glorious than holy. The character of God is such that His every attribute is infinite.
Man-made altars in church buildings or altars in any place is not what the point of an altar is. Material used to build a beautiful altar at the front of an auditorium, or 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 huge basin that held around 20,000 gallons of water from which priests could wash before going in to serve in the Lord in the temple. This was sitting on 12 brass bulls signifying the best possible animal that could be offered as a sacrifice. Because of the sacrifice of the choicest of all sacrifice, our Lord Jesus Christ, we are not only cleansed from our sin by His sacrifice, but that cleansing opens the way into the presence of God for us as believers. We are able to move in to worship when we have been sanctified by the cleansing of water by the word of God and the Holy Spirit. Priests who worshipped in the temple had bare feet and hands and would need cleansing each time they were engaged in spiritual service. We have been cleansed from sin and its consequences by "the precious blood of Christ" so need no more 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 keep from defiling that which is holy. Even the artwork on the brass sea is a reminder of how important purity of life and spirit are when we draw near to our God for any purpose. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." A pure conscience does not happen by chance but by choice when we apply the word of God with its sanctifying results.
10 lavers were smaller basins that were used to wash the pieces of the burnt offerings with water that they might be representative of 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 is a testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because He died in our place, our Lord has made us free forever by virtue of what He accomplish for us.
A lampstand is different from a candlestick because light in a lamp comes from the oil placed in it, but a candle burns on itself until it consumes itself. The 10 gold lampstands in the temple, each one with seven lamps would make the inside of the temple well lit. The one lampstand in the tabernacle was enough for it. The larger temple needed more light. Now as the type of the temple looks ahead to the millennium, we are reminded of a kingdom of light that increases as the blessings of God multiply and a greater responsibility makes more light necessary Each assembly of God's people is a lampstand for God today to shine brightly as the truth of God is proclaimed in dark places. Every time we have sat down with the Lord's people to 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 there be shining light everywhere.
Fellowship at the table of remembrance indicates the reality of fellowship with God and with His people is important both to Him and to us. The tables were covered with gold as a testimony to the deity of divine Persons who meet together. Inside the temple deity is emphasized everywhere one would look who entered the inner parts of the temple. Even things like spoons, basins and the doors - including the hinges, were a testimony to a recognition of deity in spiritual service. The outer doors were covered with brass, but when judgment is passed because of the sacrifice made, now 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.
The clay in which the brass was molded formed that which ultimately came forth in brightness having an image that was formed while it was in the earthen clay. From the dust of the ground comes those who were "made in the image of God," and now have new characteristics that shine. The righteous judgments of God are satisfied fully in Him who was "found in fashion as a man, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Whether Solomon used his God-given wisdom to form the gold articles with his own hands is not clear. What is plain is the fact that God considered them made by Solomon. The golden altar, the ten gold covered tables, the golden lampstands and the gold covered doors were all formed by the person of the highest authority. Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us by virtue of His Person and work, that we might have everything we need to approach God. From the small things to the largest, He takes each issue personally and makes what we have to give God acceptable. The tongs, snuffer, spoons, censers and basins all had their reason for being made and used.
Our access to God begins with His just judgment being satisfied. Then we are able to enter into God's presence without fear. The returned exiles who were soon to be called upon to rebuild that which had been destroyed, could have been daunted by the descriptions of the original temple and its magnificence. Even the furnishings of gold were beyond the ability of those ex-slaves. By recounting those things Ezra would have been able to impart some sense of the importance of what they were called upon to do. Even though its magnificence could not be duplicated, the purpose of the temple was the same as the one they would build. Believers and unbelievers alike need to know the value and awesomeness of the presence of God among His people. Even though He is not seen, the shadows of His presence give weight and authority to all we do in our lives and in the assemblies of God's people.