The Diligence of Solomon In Building The Habitation Of God
2 Chronicles 8:16 – King Solomon’s diligence to carry out the work set before him.
16 Thus all the work of Solomon was carried out from the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, and until it was finished [3615- “to cease, be finished, perish, be completed”]. So the house of the Lord was completed [8003- “complete, safe, peaceful, perfect, whole, full, at peace”].
NASU
2 Chronicles 8:16
16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, and until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was perfected [8003].
KJV
Solomon was diligent in doing the work necessary for completion of God’s house.
The house of the Lord was brought to completion for the Spirit of God to inhabit.
This is our picture of what we too must do.
We must prove ourselves doers of the word, not just hearers (James 1:22, Romans 2:13).
The building of God’s people that He longs to inhabit requires our involvement, working together with the Holy Spirit, from the day the foundation of Jesus Christ was laid at Pentecost, and within us individually through repentance, until the day we, again, individually and corporately, are brought to completion/perfection in Him. As the church in Sardis found out, we will not be brought to completion/perfection until our required works before God are completed (Rev. 3:1-6).
Ruth 2:12 – The reward/recompense of the Gentile Bride.
12 "May the Lord reward [7999- “to recompense, reward, be whole, be complete, sound”] your work, and your wages [4909- “wages or a reward”] be full [8003] from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
NASU
Ruth 2:12
12 The Lord recompense [7999] thy work, and a full [8003] reward [4909] be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
KJV
Ruth, the Gentile bride of Boaz, the Jew is a shadow of the Gentile Bride of Christ.
Our completion (i.e. “fullness”; Rom. 11:25) allows the Jews to enter into their fullness, bringing to completion the temple of God. This is how the peace of Jerusalem will finally come into being.
“recompense” – “An equivalent returned for anything given, done, or suffered; to repay; to return an equivalent.” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)
Ruth’s work in Boaz’ fields did not go unnoticed by him.
She represents the devoted bride of Christ who willingly leaves all that is familiar to her, choosing instead to join herself to Christ. As such she will be richly rewarded.
Ruth’s name means “friend, friendship.” She represents those who, because of their pure and sincere devotion to Christ, are considered to be the friend of God (see James 2:3, 4:4; Luke 14:10).
The Men Of Recompense
1 Chronicles 12:32 – The “men of recompense.”
32 Of the sons of Issachar [“he will bring a reward,” “there is recompense”], men who understood [998- “discernment”] the times [6256- “time, appointed time, proper time, season”], with knowledge [3045- “to perceive, to recognize, to know how, to be skillful in, to be wise”] of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.
NASU
After King Saul had died by the hand of God for his sin against Him (1 Chronicles 10:13-14), David was made king over Israel per the previous word of the Lord through Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel 15:27-28). We read that, “day by day men came to David [“beloved”] to help [5826- “to help, assist, to surround; i.e. protect or aid”] him, until there was a great army [like] the army of God [Ezekiel 37:10; 2 Kings 7:6; S.O.S. 6:4, 10; Rev. 19:14]. Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped [2502- “armed for war”] for war, who came to David at Hebron [“seat of association”], to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 12:22-23/NASU)
Among the mighty men of valor (v.21) listed that joined themselves together with David were the sons of Issachar whose name means “he will bring a reward,” or “there is recompense.” They were said to be “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.” As with the other warriors who came, they were sent by God to recompense David in regards to Saul who had disobeyed the Lord.
The Lord is raising His own army today of skilled, discerning warriors who have been trained for this very moment in history. They will be as David’s men; “All these, being men of war who could draw up [5737- “to arrange, to leave nothing lacking”] in battle formation [4634- “a row, a rank, a battle-line”; KJV- “that could keep rank”], came to Hebron with a perfect [8003] heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind [259- “united”; see Romans 12:16, 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:2] to make David king.” (1 Chronicles 12:38/NASU) Because of their undivided hearts of devotion to God, they had become “of one mind” in Him and would not break ranks in their battle formations when called upon. They would stand firm, united behind their king until his rule had been established above all other rulers. So will all those in the last days army of God.
Having put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), with discernment of what appointed time/season of the Lord we are now in and what the church should do, the Lord’s warriors stand ready and armed for battle. When the Father has removed the “Saul” leadership from His church and handed it to His beloved One (Matthew 3:17, 12:18, 17:5), which also includes those who are beloved in Him (Jude 1:1), then they too will rule with Christ as a reward for their faithfulness toward Him. (See the Bible study The Test to see, “Is Christ in you?”)
By the way, David did not take the kingdom of God away from Saul, but waited for the Lord to act in His own timing and way.
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