As we come to 1 Chronicles 28-29 today, we see how serious-minded David was about building the temple. Here, we read about David’s plans, his preparations, his solemn direction, and his momentous commission for his son Solomon to build it. “David summoned all the officials of Israel” (verse 1), … and he “charged them in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of God – to be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God … that they might possess the land and pass it on forever” (verse 8). Then, he gave this charge to Solomon: “acknowledge the God of your father and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind” (verse 9). Referring to Deuteronomy 4:29, David told Solomon, “If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever” (verse 9; cf., Deuteronomy 4:29). “The LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary, [so] be strong and do the work” (verse 10). Then, “David gave Solomon the plans, the instructions, the articles” and essentially, everything he needed to begin the construction. A second time, David reiterated to Solomon, “be strong and do the work” (verse 20). “Do not be afraid or discouraged; the LORD will not fail you or forsake you” (verse 20). In chapter 29, we see the provisions that David made for the temple construction. Leading by example, David gave his “personal treasures of gold and silver” and then he asked, “Who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?” (verses 3-5). The people followed David’s example and freely gave. Chapter 29 closes this book with David’s prayer of praise (verses 10-19); Solomon’s anointing (verses 21-25); and the death of David (verses 26-30).
Psalm 93 helps us to understand the greatness of our God. Twice, it says that “He is robed in majesty” (verse 1). As Americans, we sometimes have difficulty with the lofty concept of majesty because it relates to a king over his kingdom – something we know little about. God is supremely majestic, and regardless of our earthly citizenship – if we are to worship Him properly – we must come to terms with the biblical meaning of majesty. One day in the future, “every knee will bow” before Him (c.f., Philippians 2:10-11). That being true – in the here and now – we would do well to learn about His majesty and to submit to it willingly. Otherwise, when we come to the there and then, it will be too late to do so by choice. Notice the features associated with true majesty: “strength” (verse 1); “security” by decree (verses 1, 3, and 5); “an eternal throne” (verse 2); “exaltation and might” (i.e., unlimited power; verses 3 and 4); “unshakeable ordinances” (verses 1 and 5); and “the beauty of eternal holiness” (verse 5). No king on earth today can claim any of these attributes.
In 1 Corinthians 5, we come today to the second major problem within the Corinthian church – immorality. Clearly, Paul understood the concept of God’s majesty, for which reason he commanded the “proud” Corinthian church to deal properly with this problem and “expel” the immoral brother (verse 2). Immorality is a blot on the majesty of a moral God. Paul says that the Corinthians “should have been filled with grief and should have put out of their fellowship the man who did this” (verse 2). In verses 6-8, Paul uses the metaphor of “leaven” to illustrate the problem of immorality in the church. Leaven, which represents “malice and wickedness” (verse 8), “works through the whole batch of dough” (verse 6), and it only takes “a little” (verse 6). A little immorality in the church corrupts the whole church – and that’s nothing to be proud about. Paul’s admonitions are tough – within the church, he says, “do not associate with immoral people … do not eat with them … expel them from among you” (verses 9-13). To avoid the spread of cancer, a surgeon must remove it all. Nothing less will do.