Exhortation Station

I recently finished reading 1 Chronicles and came across some passages in the last two chapters that I found quickening and encouraging. I’ve broken this post into two parts. The title may not make much sense until part 2, so hold your horses! Let’s dive in.

Near the end of King David’s life, he assembled all the officials, commanders, princes, and overseers of Israel to address them concerning the building of the temple (1 Chron 28:1). David had desired to build a temple to Yahweh during his lifetime (v. 2), yet Yahweh had told David that his son Solomon would instead be the one to build the temple.

1 Chronicles 28:6-10 —

⁶ “He [Yahweh] said to me [David], ‘Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him. ⁷ I will establish his kingdom forever if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances, as is done now.’ ⁸ So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of YHWH, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of YHWH your God so that you may possess the good land and bequeath it to your sons after you forever.

⁹ “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for YHWH searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. ¹⁰ Consider now, for YHWH has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.”

Verse 9 stands out to me. Yahweh sees straight through everything external to the innermost parts of our hearts and minds. He knows our every motive and intention. Proverbs 20:27 says, “The spirit of man is the lamp of YHWH, searching all the innermost parts of his being.”

If you saw Yeshua standing beside you each day, is there anything you would change in your actions and words? Moreover, is there any thought, attitude, or intention you would seek to change? Although we do not see Him next to us, we might just as well, if we believe that all things are open and laid bare before the eyes of Yahweh (Hebrews 4:13).

I can’t let verse 9 go without highlighting the next statement — “If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.” May we lay it to heart that Yahweh delights in disclosing Himself to those who wholeheartedly seek Him. Psalm 105:4 says, “Seek YHWH and His strength; Seek His face continually.” Psalm 119:2 says, “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.” John 14:21 says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” What a promise!

A final nugget back in verse 7 — “I will establish his kingdom forever if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances, as is done now.” To the Creator of the universe let us not present devotion occupied primarily with temporary vapors, giving Him only what is left over of our mostly-spent affections. Let us serve Him resolutely, determinedly, wholly.

Okay, I’ll pause here. Next time we’ll pick up in 1 Chronicles 29.

Shalom!

(Bible passages NASB; Hebrew transl. added.)