God with us: Restored as his own dwelling place | Dec. 19
2 Chronicles 7:19-20
Arielle Hlday | Leadership Development Admin Assistant
When I was little, my sister and I used to bicker constantly. It was so bad that one of our mutual friends once said, “I love spending time with you two, but only when you’re not together.” Hurtful, but true. Our parents often reprimanded us, but it didn’t take long before we were bickering again. Even as we argued, I often thought, “What if Mom and Dad find out? We’ll be in big trouble.”
2 Chronicles 7:19-20 is a passage where God warns His people once more: if they do not obey His command, He will banish them from His presence and they will suffer the consequences of their sins. Our God does not tolerate sin. Yet, if we live under the law, the fear of condemnation is constant. It is 613 commandments that we must uphold to perfection; and, as for me, I know I could not go one day without breaking at least one of those commandments.
According to the story of redemption, the idea of the temple is retraced from Genesis to Revelation. The temple, in the Bible, is a place where God’s presence can be experienced, a place of communion with God.
In Genesis, Eden was such a place; in the Law, the tent of meeting, and the Tabernacle permitted the Israelites to carry the presence of God within their midst. So when the Israelites heard the word of 2 Chronicles 7:19-20, the fear of God’s wrath must have been felt throughout the audience. If they did not obey, they would be cast out from His presence.
Christmas furthers our understanding of God. Despite the Israelites’ continuous sin pattern, God will come to dwell in their midst and change His people into His temple, a temple that will not be destroyed. So when we look towards Christmas, it is an invitation to ponder His presence amongst us as His people. We no longer have to fear the wrath of God, but can gratefully look at Christ as our hope and salvation.
PRAYER: Lord, in this Christmas season, we want to thank you for your abundant grace and mercy. Our sins are more numerous than the fish in the sea; yet, you decided to make these broken jars of clay your temple. We do not deserve such mercy and love and, for that, we thank you. Amen.