January 21, 2009 (2 Chronicles 1-7, I Kings 1-8, Song of Songs)

My reading yesterday was Song of Songs....fitting since I'll be meeting up with my hubby in a couple of days. The analysis of this book in the beginning of my Bible says : "The Song is a bold and positive endorsement by God of marital love in all it's physical and emotional beauty. This interpretation does not mean that the book has no spiritual illustrations and applications. It certainly illustrates God's love for his covenant people Israel, and it anticipates Christ's love for his bride, the church. Some of my favorite verses are:

^8:6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy as enduring as the grave.
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
⁷ Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned.

The Chronicles and Kings passages begin with the building of the temple and all the tremendous resources required for that. After it is all done Solomon prayed a long prayer to God in which he basically asks God for forgiveness for when they sin. But not just when they sin, but when the people recognize their sin and pray to God, asking for His forgiveness. It reminds me of a verse in I John -

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

Does that mean if we don't confess we aren't forgiven? I don't think so. I think the lesson God wants us to take from that is, if we don't confess, we don't acknowledge our own sin, and therefore we don't turn from it. If Cooper does something that he knows offends me, he could say "Forgive me for all I've ever done", or he could say "I'm sorry that I disobeyed you mom. Please forgive me." Which do you think I would prefer to hear? I think God is the same way.

And then we come to this passage in 2 Chronicles, chapter 7:

¹² Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. ¹³ At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. ¹⁴ Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. ¹⁵ My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. ¹⁶ For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.

The verse in bold is the one that I've heard over and over, and it is true. But the thing that caught my eye this morning is that last verse, and thinking to the New Testament where we are told that WE are the temple of God. He doesn't dwell in a physical building anymore, but in the hearts of those who have surrendered their lives to Him. We are dear to His heart. Great thought....