Psalms 97:1-12; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19

Psalms 97:1-12

Key verse:  The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. (Psalms 97:6)

Psalm 97 is praising the kingship of our LORD; for His righteousness and glory, we rejoice.  How do our lips and lives agree on His kingship and be joyous? In Matthew 6, we have a life application instructed by Jesus:

(Matthew 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We may have hundreds of millions of legitimate ways to seek his kingdom and his righteousness. But they all need a starting point – as a Christian, do I recognize (seek) the kingship and lordship of Christ in my life? Who sits on the throne of my heart? Do the burdens of pride, pretense, and artificiality still bother us and make us self-righteousness that forbids our hearts to sing this praise?

Living for Jesus| Thomas O. Chisholm (1^st Verse)
　　Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
　　Striving to please Him in all that I do;
　　Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
　　This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
　　O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
　　For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
　　I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
　　My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

2 Chronicles 10:1-19 About Kingship

Key verse: So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite. (2 Chronicles 10:15)

2 Chronicles 10 is the record of Israel rebelling against Rehoboam. With the help from the details in 1 Kings 11, we understand that the rising of Jeroboam and the rebel of Israel did not come from nowhere, but the fulfillment of the prophecy.  King Solomon tried to protect his son’s kingship by attempting to kill this future opponent upon learning about the prophecy (but not learning from his own mistake). Rehoboam managed to flee to Egypt and after King Solomon died, he was welcomed back by the Israelites.  When the young and inexperienced king Rehoboam enthroned, he did another disservice to his own kingship by listening to the bad advice, further fueled the tension that empowered Jeroboam.  Men’s own effort to retain the power ended up with losing it fast; God’s purpose and plan will not be thwarted.

Prayer:

Lord, all glory and mighty power go to you. Please help us to submit to you without holding back, help us to lead our lives in the way you want.  May your kingdom come.  In the name of Christ we pray,  Amen. —- Ivy Lin

历代志下9:1-31

本章大致分成三部分，所罗门的声望，财富，以及他的寿终。

1-12示巴女王访问所罗门
所罗门是一位很受到神祝福的王。神给他的智慧在过去不曾有过，在未来也不会再有。他的智慧让他处理国事得当，声名远播，更重要的是，拥有名利财富的他，依旧全心全意地为神的名去建造圣殿。当示巴女王因所罗门的名声来拜访时，所罗门的智慧和神的圣殿让她“诧异得神不守舍”（历下9:4）。她甚至因亲眼所见的这一切而称颂神的名。
“耶和华你的神是应当称颂的！他喜悦你，使你坐他的国位，为耶和华你的神作王；因为你的神爱以色列人，要永远坚立他们，所以立你作他们的王，使你秉公行义。”（历下9:8）
这里仔细一看好像示巴对于我们的独一真神还是有相当的认识，再看回第一节“……要用难解的话试问所罗门……”（历下9:1），也许当时示巴在向所罗门探讨宗教的一些问题？从这里我们可以看出来所罗门的智慧，名声真的是在向全地颂赞神的名。假设我们得到了所罗门的智慧，所罗门的财富，那我们还会像他一样，全力为主作工吗？
在后面的一节也讲到，“普天下的王都求见所罗门，要听神赐给他智慧的话。”（历下9:23）不仅仅是示巴的女王，其他的王也因着神赐给所罗门的智慧而去见所罗门。在这里我不禁想到耶稣。神把智慧赐给了所罗门就让他的话语变得如此宝贵，各国国王都想来求见。而耶稣却是神道成肉身，亲自来到世人当中，为我们的罪背负十字架，亲自把智慧的话语讲给我们听！只是通过神所赐智慧就让其他国王所渴望，那神亲自来说的话语我们是否要更加去珍惜学习？

13-28所罗门的财富
在这段我们可以看到在神的祝福下，所罗门当时真的很辉煌。“……所罗门年间，银子算不了什么”（历下9:20）

29-31所罗门去世，儿子罗波安接续作王。

本章以所罗门的寿终结束，只是写了他之后是罗波安接续作王，并没有提到他统治后期所发生的偶像崇拜和失政所引发的一些事情，可见对于本书的作者来说，受到神祝福的所罗门虽然一生也犯了不少错，但他所带来的辉煌王朝预表了将来伟大的神国。 —- Scott Mo

2 Chronicles 8:1-18

Chapter 8 recorded the expansion of King Solomon’s influence to the region. However, it also subtly recorded the turning point of King Solomon’s spiritual deterioration.

1. (1-6) Solomon dominated over the region. He continued to build store cities for his army. He forgot God’s word in Deuteronomy 12:16, God spoke specifically to the future Kings of Israel that he shall not multiply horses for himself.
   Are we looking at the Dow Jones Index more than the words of God? Do we invest more time in God’s word than the Wall Street Journal?
   
2. (7-10) Solomon dominated the gentiles. He raised gentile as force labor and the Israelites as rulers over them.
   As believers, we should use our privileges to share God’s love with non- believers. As parents, we also labor ourselves raising children to know Christ, so that they would not depart from God when they are old.
   
3. (11) Solomon made an unwise decision when he married Pharaoh’s daughter and many other wives. It led to his spiritual downfall. His heathen wives brought their gods to the holy city. He also admitted that his wife from Egypt is not holy and cannot live in the holy city. He did it anyway to gain political capital. From 1 Kings 11:1-2, we see that King Solomon, however, loved other foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter, including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. They were from nations that the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.”
   It is sad to see a husband or wife cannot accompany their spouse in the holy place/ church to worship our Holy God. May God have mercy on us. Let us labor in our marriage and salvation of our spouse so that families can worship God together.
   
4. (12-16) Solomon followed the offerings, priest’s responsibilities and gatekeepers according to the Law.
   Do we serve God in an orderly manner? Are we too causal in our services to God?
   
5. (17-18) Solomon partnered with Hiram, Tyrian’s king to do sea trading. Jews did not have the nautical skill and had to partner with Hiram who furnished him with expert sailors to explore trading beyond the promised land.
   As we work with non-believers, aren’t we influencing them through our work ethic or are we being drifted away from godly principles by their disbelief?

There is nothing wrong with planning a bigger warehouse as long as we keep God in our planning.          —- Alan Yam

历代志下 7:1-22

　　神的子民，要想一直得着神美好的赐福，就必须清楚：神所喜悦的是什么？神最为看重的又是什么？历代志下第七章给我们一个很明确的答案。

　　所罗门的建殿大工完毕，约柜也运进了殿里，王和以色列众民欢喜快乐地举行了庆殿仪式。所罗门献上最长的祷告，众人都俯伏敬拜，高唱赞美诗歌，献祭的脂油满溢，耶和华的荣光充满了整个圣殿。神悦纳百姓的敬拜、奉献和守节，百姓也因此得满足和喜乐。(代下 7:1-10)

　　在一切都顺顺利利的档口，耶和华在夜间再次向所罗门显现。耶和华第一次向所罗门显现是在他刚登上王位，准备建圣殿之时。神敞开天窗任他求，神也应许赐给他所求的智慧，其他没有求到的资财、尊荣、富贵、权势等等，也都统统赐给他。现在，一切都如愿实现了，耶和华的临到给他的却是警告，也是对所罗门进殿祷告的回应：

　　“我若使天闭塞不下雨，或使蝗虫吃这地的出产，或使瘟疫流行在我民中，这称为我名下的子民，若是自卑、祷告，寻求我的面，转离他们的恶行，我必从天上垂听，赦免他们的罪，医治他们的地。”(代下 7:13-14)

　　所罗门的祷告是:“你的民以色列若得罪你……你的民因得罪你，你惩罚他们……你的民若得罪你，你向他们发怒……你仆人和你民以色列向此处祷告的时候，求你从天上你的居所垂听，垂听而赦免。”(代下 6)

　　耶和华说:“倘若你们转身去丢弃我指示你们的律例诫命，去侍奉敬拜别神，我就必将以色列人从我赐给他们的地上拔出根来，并且我为己名所分别为圣的殿也必舍弃不顾，使他在万民中作笑谈、被讥诮。”(代下 7:19-20)

　　不幸的是，这一切在后来都如实发生。不是以色列人不知道，是因为他们不明白什么才是神最喜悦的、最为看重的。他们不相信神！不相信他们会被连根拔出，不相信神会弃圣殿不顾。

撒上 15:22
　　“耶和华喜悦燔祭和平安祭，
　　岂如喜悦人听从他的话呢？
　　听命胜于献祭；
　　顺从胜于公羊的脂油。”

　　今天，神的子民可以随时随地向他祷告，我们的祈求也可以蒙神垂听。因为有一长存的圣殿，一位永活的大祭司，一份完美的祭品，人与神之间唯一的中保──基督耶稣，他在神的右边为我们代求。是他，使我们的祷告畅通无阻；是他，使我们的罪得赦免。因此，我们当在敬畏中认识神，亲近神，祈求他的怜悯和带领。他必保守我们的心怀意念，帮助我们遵行他的旨意。

　　以色列人为圣殿的落成，神的信实，和神的同在，以及神向他们所施的恩惠而歌颂称谢耶和华。我们更应该为这永不失落的耶稣基督的救恩称谢歌颂神说：
　　“耶和华本为善，
　　他的慈爱永远长存。”            —- Sandy Xu

歷代志下5:1-14；6:1-42

第五章告訴我們以色列民用了七年時間把聖殿建造成。並在第二年的七月舉行獻殿禮。所羅門選擇這個月是有一特別意義。因七月是住棚節是紀念以色列民在礦野中神一直保守的生活。現在他們也藉著輝煌的聖殿成了權力的象徵、敬拜中心。使世世代代能保持純正的信仰。

當祭司把約櫃抬進至聖所安放好，利未人就讃美神，因他們知道神悅納約櫃所預備的新地方。

每主日當我們進教會敬拜讚美神時，是否學以色列民，以見證神的慈愛為開始，預備向神説明內心的一切。回想神那麼多年以來一切的慈愛和憐憫，心中就更想天天敬拜祂！

第六章是所羅門王為百性祝福和禱告。

無論所羅門是站着或是跪下，都作出一個很好的榜樣。表明眼前所看到的豐富都是從神而來，是感謝的對象。也表明他對神的尊崇

所羅門帶領百姓禱告時，特別提到，
　　在犯罪時（22-23）、
　　仇敵攻擊（24-25）、
　　乾旱之時（26-27）、
　　饑荒之時（28-31）、
　　外邦入侵（33-33）、
　　仇敵爭戰（34-35）、
　　百姓得罪（36-39）。
這些是以色列民經歷過的，但神卻依然的愛他們保護他們。

我們今天也同樣經歷大自然的災難，疾病，或生活的困難。這一切是否代表神的警戒和提醒？
所以我們更加努力禱告，順服神的帶領。
願神帶領每一位弟兄姊妹，順利戰勝每一次的考驗！          —- Ivan Ho

歷代志下4:1-22

所羅門王建聖殿的藍圖是大衛王制定的，代上28:12大衛說是被靈感動所得的樣式，代上28:19又說：「這一切工作的樣式都是耶和華用手劃出來使我明白的。」

本章是記載銅祭壇、銅海、洗濯盆、金燈台、陳設餅桌、院門、盆、鏟、碗、柱頂球、網子、石榴……等等聖殿用品與裝飾。或是用光亮的銅鑄造，或是用金箔包裹，極其精緻華麗。（與列王紀上6:14-36合參）

銅壇的尺寸是與至聖所一樣大，長寬各二十肘，獻燔祭用。
銅海的直徑十肘，是銅壇的一半大，供祭司沐浴用，因為舊約律法規定，祭司獻祭前必須自潔。用沐浴表達自潔，只是形式上的象徵意義，因為罪是不可能用水洗淨的，但祭司獻祭前的沐浴，給會眾極重要的示範，是非常重要的。
現代的教會與基督徒，常用「神是鑒察人心的」為由，認為崇拜時的衣著不重要，穿得輕鬆（隨便）一點沒關係。這是不對的，參加崇拜隨意穿著就表示沒有用心準備，如果沒有用心準備，神鑒察人心，豈會討得神的喜悅。但用心穿著，不是指著華貴艷麗的服飾，而是整齊清潔。

謝謝鷺生姊妹總是提醒詩班──
　　亲爱的主内诗班员们：平安！
　　本主日2/16
　　诗班将献诗—-
　　橄榄山坡上的祈祷
　　請準時到教堂
　　诗班员注意事项：
1）用心灵和诚实敬拜神(约4:23, 24)
2）着装整洁合体。请保持干净整洁，熨烫平整，穿着合体。
3）切勿迟到。
请9:30am到教堂，在诗班室穿好诗袍，准备好歌谱，预备好心献唱。
***這是「最近一次」的提醒，在疫情前；多麼盼望詩班全體再同堂事奉！會眾全體再同堂敬拜！

所羅門第一聖殿的盛況究竟如何？沒有留下真實的「寫真」圖像，後世所看見的，都是考古學家、猶太傳統的想像描繪，各家有各家的想像，以下附圖是透視圖，比較可以理解各樣聖器的擺設位置，僅供參考。我個人對於至聖所裡遮掩約櫃的兩個「基路伯」Cherubim造像，及聖殿內牆繪製的基路伯有意見，應該不是有翅膀的人面獸身，因為十誡第二條，神禁戒不可用上天、下地、地底下、水中的百物造像。（至於以西結書10:14，啟示錄4:6-8所記載的四活物，也沒有人見過留下圖像。）

讀完有關所羅門建聖殿時費心用心的記載，讓我體會
至高至聖至尊至榮，昔在今在永在的獨一真神，天地萬有的創造主宰，應當享有至高讚美、至高尊榮，萬膝當跪拜、萬口當頌揚。
哈利路亞，讚美主！                 —- Solomon Liu

https://images.app.goo.gl/gJ3nTVNgKtwu1bdH9

3D視頻圖說：
https://youtu.be/oiF-wObznds

https://youtu.be/y2tha7ogpec

Psalms 96:1-13; 2 Chronicles 3:1-17

Psalms 96:1-13

Key verse: Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  (Psalms 96:7)

The background of Psalms 96 probably could be traced back to 1 Chronicles 15-16, when David brought the Ark back to Jerusalem, as similar verses found from 1 Chronicles 16:23-33. It is a public worship psalm for praises and celebration.  It involves all the people of God:
　　Singing praises to Him
　　Testifying His greatness/goodness
　　Exalting Him
　　Offering to Him
　　Rejoicing in Him
　　Expecting His return

The first recorded occasion of Psalms 96 was full of joy and splendor. After that, it might be sung many times in public throughout the history of Israel as the Israelites contemplated their circumstances of being scattered and gathered multiple times versus this remote glorious moment.
This very psalm could also have been sung at our church or many worship events during our walks with God. 
May we all have a renewed heart and cherish every moment of our lives for honoring and worshiping Him.

2 Chronicles 3:1-17

2 Chronicles 3-5 could be read together with 1 Kings 6-8, as both documented the beginning of building the temple and the glory of the Lord filled the temple during dedication. 

2 Chronicles 3 has the record of its ground breaking event:
　　Designated place (v1)
　　Designated time (v2)
　　Designated plan in specifics (v3-17)

Very detailed and very seriously the work of the temple started.  As we reflect, it pointed to God’s plan of salvation, the work of Jesus, which is very detailed and seriously fulfilled.

While we are progressing into the New Testament, these scriptures of sacred places, days, rituals, and detailed instructions of the temple still teach us and help us to understand that He is Holy (and we should be too). We should also be reminded that now that we have the High Priest pleading for us, the conversation between Jesus and Samaritan woman (John 4:21-24) becomes so relevant to us as we are trying to identify the center of our faith:

John 4:21-24
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Prayer:

Lord, our hearts tremble for Thy greatness and holiness, help us to understand Thy Word and let it dwell in us as truth without the veil.  Make the place of Thy feet glorious, and then shall our hearts truly be transformed into worshiping and loving ones that please you. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.              —- Ivy Lin

历代志下1:1-17；2:1-18

历代志下1
历代志上描述了大卫王的一生，下卷则接续大卫王的家谱，集中写南国犹大接下来的王。

继大卫王之后，所罗门登基。这章一开始讲到了他和会众一起去基遍的邱坛到神的会幕那里献燔祭。这里稍微要强调一下“和会众”。他并没有只是一个人去到神面前献祭，而是带着会众一起。这个一方面代表了他希望大家都能够一起信奉这一位真神，希望通过这样的形式巩固大家的信仰。
另一方面也反映了（代下1:1）所说的“所罗门国位坚固”，大家都能顺服他一起去给神献祭，可见所罗门是很受到神的祝福。
“你愿我赐你甚麽，你可以求。”（代下1:7）献祭后当夜，神便显现到所罗门面前，问他想要什么。
“求你赐我智慧聪明，我好在这民前出入；不然，谁能判断这众多的民呢？”（代下1:10）
当神亲自来问所罗门他要什么，他并没有求富贵荣华，名誉权利，而是想要得智慧。而且这智慧还是为了神的国而求，为的是要使用智慧来治理好神交给他的国。他知道这国是神的，这民也是神的，都不是他自己的。他知道只有神才是最好管理者。
这样的品格，这样的祷告，真的是很值得我们去学习。“你们要先求他的国、和他的义这些东西都要加给你们了。”（太6:33）是的，神不但赐给所罗门无人能比的智慧，同时也给他没有求的富贵荣华。

假如有一天神来到你面前说，你的许愿机来了，你会怎么选择呢？其实我们平时祷告也有点半许愿式的向神祈求，希望这个顺利，那个顺利。我也常常这样子祷告。并不是说这样祷告不对，毕竟这也是我们作为人类的一些渴望和对生活的挣扎。神听到我们这些呼喊，也常常在合适的时机悄悄帮助我们。只是我觉得神既然知道我们每一个人的需求，那祷告的中心应该是更多的亲近神，认识神，以神的国为中心，求神帮助我们不要偏离祂的道。所以在这也求神帮助我们让我们的心思意念都在祂身上。

代下1:14-17讲到了所罗门的战车兵马的强盛，金银多如石头，可见在所罗门的智慧下国家的昌盛。不过这并不是都是好事。战车兵马的强盛，军事力量过大，这并不是神所喜悦的。所罗门的智慧并没有帮助他抵挡罪的诱惑，终究在这方面还是选择去依赖人的力量。

历代志下2

在前些日子我们都读到了大卫王怎么为耶和华的圣殿忠心地筹备材料和人员，第二章开始讲到了所罗门要继续建造圣殿的过程。建造圣殿可以算是所罗门一生中最重要的事工了，从这章开始到第八章都是在讲建造圣殿。

这章主要讲到他得到了泰尔王希兰人力上和资源上的帮助。“现在求你差一个巧匠来……”（代下2:7）“又求你从利巴嫩运些香柏木、松木、檀香木……”（代下2:8）“你的仆人砍伐树木……”（代下2:10）在与希兰交涉的对话中，我们可以看到所罗门真的是为了荣耀神去建造圣殿的，向希兰请求资源的时候都要先称颂耶和华。
“我所要建造的殿宇甚大；因为我们的神至大，超乎诸神。天和天上的天，尚且不足他居住的，谁能为他建造殿宇呢？”（代下2:5-6）
这也再次提醒了我们，神是无处不在的，没有建筑可以装得下祂的伟大。敬拜的时候祂也并不局限在教会的建筑里。祂是超乎一切的。 — Scott Mo

1 Chronicle 29:1-30

            This final chapter of 1st Chronicles concluded the life of King David. He is remembered as a man who enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. The legacy he left to his son wasn’t just the wealth and kingship. He laid out a master plan for his son, Solomon to build the Holy temple, a worship center for all Israelites to worship God.

            What kind of legacy do we want to pass to our children and grandchildren?  How do you want your children and grandchildren remember you? King David is remembered as a man after God’s own heart, “He will do everything I (God) want him to do.”- Acts 13:22.  Even though King David is imperfect in many ways, God’s grace can overcome his imperfections. Every parent makes mistakes and sometimes, we make big mistakes. But God redeems us from them.

            His prayer from verses 10-20 gives us a good lesson. Everything comes from God. Wealth, talent, health …etc. all come from God. One of the major obstacles for most Christians is to give tithes to the Church because they mismanage their money. They may be in heavy debts. *. Let us start organizing our financial and spiritual lives so that we can contribute and help grow God’s kingdom without bondage.             —- Alan Yam

* Crown Financial Ministries is a Christian non-profit organization that helps people to be debt free and promotes stewardship values all over the world.

历代志上  28:1-21

        “ ……你们应当寻求耶和华你们 神的一切诫命，谨守遵行，如此你们可以承受这美地，遗留给你们的子孙，永远为业。” (代上 28：8)

        大卫，以色列的君王，神所拣选的，合他心意的仆人，神让他的子民都归顺于他，让四境的国都安伏在他的脚下。他一心追求侍奉神，年老的时候更是不遗余力。为了让他的儿子所罗门顺利承接王位和完成他的遗愿(也是神的旨意), 他召来所有的首领和臣仆，向他们传递神的旨意，要他们顺服神的拣选和诫命，为的是可以承受神的美好产业并遗留给子孙后代。

        我有时常想到这样的问题：如果我哪一天离开人世，有什么是我最想遗留给孩子而不带一丝遗憾的呢？我没有家大业大的遗产，也没有聪明美貌的遗传基因，更没有可夸的名让她在人前昂首阔步。我唯有的是可以持守到永远的信仰：就是耶和华的名，圣经的真理，耶稣基督的救恩。

        大卫王嘱咐他即将继位的儿子说：“我儿所罗门哪，你当认识耶和华你父的 神，诚心乐意地侍奉他；因为他鉴察众人的心，知道一切心思意念。你若寻求他，他必使你寻见；你若离弃他，他必永远丢弃你。” (代上 28:9) 随后他指示所罗门当做的事—圣殿的建造。无论大事小事，清清楚楚，没有遗漏，都是耶和华用手划出来使他明白的。

        如果我要向我的孩子传讲神的作为，传授圣经的真理，指示她当行的道和当做的事，我自己是否要对神有清楚的认识，对真理没有怀疑，明白神的旨意并去遵行呢？老实说，我跟随耶稣的信心之路是跌跌撞撞的：从信心不足到逐渐强大；从一知半解到明明白白；从无法得知神对我人生的旨意和终于了解了他的心意……一步一个脚印，都有神亲自的带领和他的恩典。

        虽然我的孩子现在还年轻不懂事，正是因为这样，我必须战战兢兢地来到神面前，求他加添智慧和能力，花时间耐心地辅导孩子，带她读经祷告，学习真理，走在神的祝福和神的旨意当中。这样，当我在脱离这世间事务的缠缧之际，也可以像大卫那样对他的儿子所罗门说：“ 你当刚强壮胆去行！不要怕，也不要惊惶，因为耶和华 神就是我的神，与你同在。他必不撇下你，也不丢弃你……。” ( 代上 22:20 )     —- Sandy Xu