2 chronicles 1-3

Read 2 Chronicles 1-3 at Bible Gateway.

2 Chr 1-3 is a duplicate description of Solomon building the Temple. Now, nothing is in the Word of God flippantly or without reason. Why did the LORD want us to have two similar accounts of the same event? We know that everything that happened previously to Israel happened and was written down for our admonition, Paul says (1 Cor 10:11) — the admonition of the believers in Messiah. So even this description of the building of the Temple was written down twice for our admonition.

When the Bible repeats a thing, it is meant to draw our attention to it. Repetition is a teaching tool of Scripture! What jumped out to me today was the role the king of Tyre played in the building of the Temple. Tyre was one of the chief cities of the Sidonians. We know from Torah that the Sidonians were Canaanites; Sidon was the firstborn son of Canaan (Gen 10:15). Furthermore, we know from history that the Sidonians were the same as the Phoenicians. The Phoenicians were in fact Canaanites, the very people whom God commanded the Israelites to destroy until not one was left.

And yet here we learn, that without goods and help from the Phoenicians, the Temple would never have been built. It puts me in mind of the geneaology of Jesus: only four women are mentioned in His genealogy (besides His mother Mary): Tamar, through whom Judah begot Perez; Rahab, through whom Salmon begot Boaz; Ruth, through whom Boaz begot Obed, the grandfather of David; and Bathsheba, through whom David begot Solomon (Mat 1:1-17). Tamar was Judah’s daughter- in- law, so their union was condemned; Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute; Ruth was a Moabitess, and Bathsheba committed adultery. Of all the virtuous and righteous women who were in Jesus’ geneaology, such as Sarah, Rebekah, or Leah, none are mentioned, except the four whom the Law condemns.

So here is my point: God can redeem the past of anyone. No matter who someone is or was, or what family or nation they were born into, if and when they meet God, recognizing Him and submitting to Him, their contribution that they make to His kingdom is just as glorious and honorable, and perhaps vital, as anyone else’s. The LORD elevates sinners from second class status and places them in a place of honor. Our God is so good, so merciful, so kind, so gracious in His love, tender mercy, and compassion for us!