Reading 1 - 1Ch 28
"David was facing the end of his life. With typical faithfulness, there was one thing on his mind: the realisation of the great temple of Yahweh, for which he had set his heart. In his farewell speech he charges the elders of Israel to continue his passion for the temple, and to support his son, Solomon, in the great work to which Yahweh had committed him. David's glorious reign reaches a climax as the aristocracy of Israel is gathered together, and in the presence of Solomon, David makes his final request and exhortation. In his passionate address he sets out:
How Yahweh chose David and Solomon: vv 1-8;
A personal charge to Solomon, and the passing over of the plans and ordering of the temple: vv 9-19;
The work had been commenced by Yahweh, and it is for Solomon to complete it: vv 20,21.
"Publicly the king advises the young heir to the throne regarding his conduct and duty, and makes reference to the great divine work that Solomon must do. He pledges the nation's support, and challenges the people to be liberal in their donations to this work, by a personal example of liberality. Solomon is proclaimed and anointed king. and with a final prayer and thanksgiving, David's work is brought to a fitting close. By training a shepherd in youth to become a hero in warfare, and a king in old age, there remained for the people an example of steadfast faith and unity of purpose. David was a fit type of Christ, for his actual personal reign never ended, but instead merged into that of his son who stood as joint-king with his Father. In his son Solomon, David built the temple on Zion. He provided all the elements, the gold, silver and instruments of every king, and thereby typified the work of the Lord Jesus in his redemptive work, so that a glorious temple of living stones might be accomplished to the honour and glory of Yahweh" (GE Mansfield).
Reading 2 - Eze 37
The order of events in Eze 37:
The graves where Israel is buried are opened (v 12).
The skeletons are brought into the valley of vision (in the land of Israel), and are left scattered there (vv 2,12).
They say, 'Our bones are dried, our hope is lost' (v 11).
They confess their own unworthiness (v 11).
Ezekiel prophesies upon them.
There is a noise like thunder, and an earthquake.
The bones come together and re-form into skeletons.
Flesh and sinews grow on them; they are now corpses.
The call to the four winds (spirits) brings the breath (spirit) of life into them.
They stand on their feet as a very great power.
"The parable is a prophecy of Israel being brought, in a spiritually dead condition, from their Gentile dispersion back to the land of their fathers. There they become disintegrated and helpless. It is a process which takes place in the Land. This part of the prophecy has not yet happened. It would seem to correspond to the prophecies in Zec 14:1,2; Eze 35:5; 36:13-15; Joel 2; 3; Psa 83; and esp Ezekiel 20:34-37" (TofE).
The New Covenant is deeply rooted in history and land. The promise to Abraham was unconditional and included in its benefits a geographical inheritance -- indeed, not just any territory but specifically the land of Canaan (Gen 12:1,7; 13:15-17; 15:18,19; 17:8). It is that land that is in view throughout Ezekiel's prophecy, whether in immediate fulfillment or Last Days fulfillment, for unless that land is the focus of God's covenant the ancient promises to the patriarchs lose their intended significance.
Reading 3 - John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
The greatest reason: FOR.
The greatest lover: GOD.
The greatest degree: SO LOVED.
The greatest company: THE WORLD.
The greatest act: THAT HE GAVE.
The greatest gift: HIS ONE AND ONLY SON.
The greatest opportunity: THAT WHOEVER.
The greatest requirement: BELIEVES.
The greatest attraction: IN HIM.
The greatest promise: SHALL NOT PERISH.
The greatest difference: BUT.
The greatest certainty: HAVE.
The greatest possession: ETERNAL LIFE.
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