This is the first of what I hope will be many thoughts from my pen for any and all to read, reflect upon, and respond to. The Pastor's Pen is designed to be simple devotional thoughts from daily Bible readings of mine. Posts may not be daily, but I pray each one will be a blessing.
Restoring the Temple - 2 Chronicles 24:7
Intro: Every now and then you might find a building that is no longer fulfilling its intended purpose for being built. Churches become apartments, fast food restaurants, mosques, and even barns!
The Situation: Joash began his reign as king at a low point in the nation of Judah. Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel reigned as queen having murdered all of her grandsons with the exception of Joash. She also introduced Baal worship and allowed her sons to vandalize the temple (24:7).
Left in this condition for 20 years, deterioration had begun to take its toll not only on the temple, but also on the people. It grieved the Joash to see the temple in a broken condition and made it a goal to see it repaired and restored.
Several things were necessary in order for the temple to be returned to its proper condition and its intended purpose.
I. Motivation – 24:4 - Joash "set his heart" to see repairs made.
- Motivation begins in the heart of a person.
- He saw a problem and wanted to fix it.
- He knew what the temple was for.
II. Material – 24:8-10
The temple could not be properly restored with just any material and so the people of Israel were called upon to follow the directive of Moses (24:9). Every male, 20 years of age and above was to give a half shekel of silver as an offering to the LORD. A half shekel was equal to 1/15th an ounce. More than enough money came in to enable the work to be done (24:11). This ought to remind us that when all are involved in the faithful giving of offerings to the Lord, that much can be accomplished.
III. Masons – 24:12
The end result is that the temple was restored to its original condition and the purpose for which it was originally built was once again realized (24:13-14)
Meditation: It is one thing for a building to no longer serve its intended purpose for being built. As I think of this situation, I am reminded how easy it is for Christians and non-Christians to allow their lives to get into disrepair. A little neglect. A little allowance here and there for the enemy to take. A little foothold. Before long those that are designed to be "temples of the Holy Spirit" are suddenly in need of repair and that which has been stolen needs to be replaced.
The way of repair begins with a heart that is set on repairing. The work of repairing happens as the directives of the Lord are followed. The temple in Josiah’s day would not have been repaired if the people did not return to obeying the Scriptures. The same is true in lives of people today.
So for Josiah there was motivation. There was also plenty of material because of the giving of God’s people. But remember there were also those that were skilled and able to do the work of restoring. Spiritual restoration does not call for "masons" but the "Master" whose name is Jesus.
Application: How do I keep my life in good repair and this "temple" from being broken into?
1. Address any problem areas while they are still small.
2. "Altar" my body as a living sacrifice before the Lord.
3. Appropriate myself of the building material: The Word of God, Prayer, Fellowship,
4. Allow the Master to work on a daily basis.
