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2CHRONICLES
CHAPTER 4

1 Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof. 2 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast. 4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward. 5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths. 6 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

The temple was magnificent and so were the things made for the offerings in the courtyard. This large altar was placed on a scaffold, raising it ten feet above the ground. Everyone who came to the temple could see the sacrifices being made.
The altar was much larger than the one which had been built for the tabernacle. God had blessed this nation, and they had grown in number. Should they not also grow in praise, prayer and offerings?
There was a huge tub constructed which was circular and the outside rim of the circle measured some 45 feet. This tub was set upon twelve figures of oxen. The oxen faced outward (3 toward all 4 directions) and the tub was placed on their backs. Since many offerings were to be made, the priests would have to wash often.
There were also 10 more tubs (smaller in size) for the priests to wash the sacrifices.
Here's a thought: the altar, sea and lavers were made of brass. Brass is shiny and bright, glittering like gold in the sunlight. However, it requires daily care or the brass will tarnish and become a nasty green in color.
The things of God, and the temple of God should be cared for DAILY!

7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. 8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold. 9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass. 10 And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.

In the tabernacle there was only one candlestick. The candlestick represents the light of the Lord in the world. This light is to be reflected in His people. Now there were TEN candlesticks placed in the temple. Again, the nation had grown by the blessings of God, and therefore the reflection of Him should be greater.
There were ten tables (probably for shewbread) in the temple, whereas there had only been ONE in the tabernacle. See how the temple reflects the blessings of God to the nation. On the tables, the shewbread would represent the Word of God being fed to His people.
In a large nation there must be much preaching and teaching!
The doors to the temple were covered with brass. But everything INSIDE the temple was of GOLD. Reflecting on a statement made by Matthew Henry: "the closer to God we come, the purer He makes us!"

11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God; 12 To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars; 13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars. 14 He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases; 15 One sea, and twelve oxen under it. 16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass. 17 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.

All the vessels (sea, lavers, pots, shovels, etc.) were formed by Huram in the plain of Jordan where the clay was fit for making good molds.
Everything was placed in the proper location in the temple and the courtyard.
God's church ought to be designed for USEFULNESS!

18 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out. 19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set; 20 Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; 21 And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold; 22 And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.

Huram had done the work, but the design had come from Solomon. Solomon had received it from David, who had received it from God.
All things in the church of God should be done by the Word of the Lord. The design of our work as Christians is laid out by our King JESUS.

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