Fri.’s Devo - The Glory of the New

Read: 2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11; Romans 7:1-13; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 19:22-23 Solomon had constructed a new bronze altar much bigger than the old one. This was 30’ by 30’ and 15’ tall. The new basin was called the “Sea” and it was round, measuring 15’ across and 7.5’ deep. It was set on the backs of 12 bronze oxen in a circle. *** Ten smaller basins were made for washing the utensils used in sacrifices. Five of them were set on the north side and five on the south. The priests washed themselves in the Sea. *** Five gold lamp stands were placed on the south wall and five on the north so the priests could see to wash the utensils. Five tables for the shewbread were put on the south side and five on the north. A courtyard was made for the priests on the inside and another outer courtyard for the people. The entrances were overlaid with bronze to glow the glory of God. *** When Solomon had completed the Temple he brought all the gold and silver that David had given and put it in the treasury rooms. *** At the Feast of Tabernacles, Solomon had the Ark brought from Zion to the Temple and put in the Most Holy Place. The people brought so many animals to sacrifice they could not number them. The priests had all sanctified themselves and were wearing white linen. The Levites sang and played their instruments while the 120 priests played trumpets. They sang “He is good: His faithful love endures forever!” The glory of God filled the Temple and was so thick they could not continue. When Solomon saw the glory of God he praised Him then turned and led the people in praise to God. *** Paul explained that the law was like a marriage contract that is only effective when both parties are living. When one of them dies, the covenant dies with them. It is the same with the law of Moses. It died when Jesus died. His death brought a death to the contract with sin. Now we have a new covenant and we are released from the old. We are released from the power that sin had over us. Paul explained that the law that was suppose to bring life, brought spiritual death instead because there was no power to obey it until Christ died. The law brought condemnation and used God’s good commands for its own evil purposes. Tomorrow we will read the good news. *** Lord, we thank you for rescuing us from sin and death and making us righteous. May we walk in the freedom you purchased for us on the cross. You are the resurrection and the life.