2 Chronicles 4:1 - Meaning and Application

David often speaks with deep affection about the house of the Lord and the courts of our God. Both outside and inside, the temple held things that pictured the grace of the gospel and pointed ahead to better things to come, with Christ as the true substance.

I. In the open court, where all the people could see, there were several important symbols.

1. There was the bronze altar (2 Chronicles 4:1). The account in Kings does not mention its making. All sacrifices were offered on this altar, and it made the gift acceptable. This altar was much larger than the one Moses made for the tabernacle, which measured five cubits square. This one was twenty cubits square. Now that Israel had become larger and richer, and it was hoped, more devoted too, it was fitting that more offerings would be brought to God’s altar than before.

It was made roomy enough to receive them all, so no one could excuse himself from bringing the gifts of devotion because there was no space. God had greatly enlarged their borders, so they should also enlarge his altars. Our gifts to God should bear some proportion to what we receive from him. It was ten cubits high, so the worshipers in the court could see the sacrifice burned. Their eyes could move their hearts to sorrow for sin, and they could say, “It is the Lord’s mercy that I am not consumed, and that this sacrifice is accepted in my place.”

This also led them to think about the great sacrifice that would be offered in the fullness of time to take away sin and end death, which the blood of bulls and goats could never do. As the smoke rose from the sacrifices, their hearts could rise to heaven with holy desire for God and his favor. In all our worship, we must keep the eye of faith fixed on Christ, the great sacrifice that turns away God’s wrath and brings us peace. We are not told how people came up to this altar and brought their sacrifices. Some think it was by a gentle slope like a hill. If there were steps, they were likely arranged so that the law’s command in (Exodus 20:26) was still honored.

2. There was the molten sea, a very large bronze basin, used to hold water for the priests to wash in (2 Chronicles 4:2, 2 Chronicles 4:6). It stood near the entrance to the priests’ court, like the baptismal font at a church door. If filled to the brim, it could hold 3,000 baths, as here (2 Chronicles 4:5), though usually it held 2,000 baths (1 Kings 7:26). The Holy Spirit used this to teach, first, our great gospel privilege, that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

For us there is a fountain opened, not only for all believers, who are spiritual priests (Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:6), but for all who come to be washed from sin, which is uncleanness. In Christ there is enough merit for everyone who comes by faith, asking to have a clean conscience, so they may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). It also teaches our great gospel duty, which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the sins of the flesh and the corruption in the world. Our hearts must be made holy, or we cannot honor God’s name.

Those who draw near to God must wash their hands and purify their hearts (James 4:8). If I wash you not, you have no part with me; and even one who has already been washed still needs to wash his feet and renew repentance whenever he comes to minister (John 13:10).

3. There were ten bronze basins, used to wash the things offered for the burnt offerings (2 Chronicles 4:6). As the priests had to be washed, so did the sacrifices. In the same way, we must not only prepare ourselves for religious service, but also set aside the vain thoughts and sinful motives that cling to our services and stain them.

4. The doors of the court were overlaid with bronze (2 Chronicles 4:9). This gave them strength and beauty, and kept them from rotting in the weather to which they were exposed. We read of gates of bronze in (Psalm 107:16).

II. Inside the house of the Lord, where only the priests went to minister, there were other things that were also full of meaning. Everything there was gold. The closer we come to God, the purer we must be, and the purer we shall be.

1. There were ten golden lampstands, made in the same form as the one in the tabernacle (2 Chronicles 4:7). The written word is a lamp and a light, shining in a dark place. In Moses’ time, they had only one lampstand, which may picture the Pentateuch, the first five books of Scripture. The later additions of other books of Scripture may be hinted at by this increase in the number of lampstands. Light was increasing.

The lampstands also stand for the churches (Revelation 1:20). Moses set up only one lampstand, like the church of the Jews, but in the gospel temple not only believers, but churches themselves, are multiplied.

2. There were ten golden tables (2 Chronicles 4:8), the tables where the showbread was placed (2 Chronicles 4:19). Perhaps each table held twelve loaves of showbread. As the house was enlarged, so was the house-keeping. In my Father’s house there is bread enough for the whole family. Along with these tables there were 100 golden bowls, or dishes, for God’s table was well supplied.

3. There was a golden altar (2 Chronicles 4:19) on which incense was burned. It is likely that it was enlarged in proportion to the bronze altar. Christ, who once and for all made payment for sin, still lives to make intercession, using the value of that one sacrifice on our behalf.