What does 2 Chronicles 3:1 teach about obedience to God's instructions? Scripture Focus “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, the place that David had designated, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” (2 Chronicles 3:1) Setting the Scene • God had pinpointed one exact spot—“the threshing floor of Ornan.” • David had purchased that site at God’s command (2 Samuel 24:18-25). • Solomon now acts on the instruction passed down from his father, proving that divine directions are not negotiable or erasable with time. What Obedience Looks Like in This Verse • Specific, not generic – Solomon builds “on Mount Moriah,” not just anywhere in Jerusalem. • Rooted in revealed truth – the location is “where the LORD had appeared to his father David,” tying obedience to a prior encounter with God. • Continuity across generations – David received the word (1 Chronicles 28:11-19); Solomon fulfills it. God’s commands outlast the one who first heard them. • Costly commitment – David paid full price; Solomon now invests years and resources (1 Kings 6:37-38). Why the Exact Location Matters • Mount Moriah recalls Abraham’s surrender of Isaac (Genesis 22:2), a landmark of trusting obedience. • It underscores God’s sovereign choice—He decides how and where He will be worshiped (Deuteronomy 12:5-7). • Aligning with God’s place aligns with God’s presence; blessing follows obedience (Psalm 132:13-14). Key Principles Drawn Out 1. God sets the agenda; our role is to comply, not revise. 2. Delayed obedience (Solomon builds years later) is still required obedience; God’s word remains in force. 3. Obedience in details demonstrates reverence for the God who speaks in details (Luke 16:10). 4. Corporate obedience often springs from personal obedience—David’s private yielding prepared Solomon’s public faithfulness. Other Scriptures Echoing the Call • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • 1 Kings 9:4-5 – God reaffirms blessing for walking “with integrity of heart” as David did. • Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” • Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust leads to straight paths, including the path to the right location. Take-Home Reflections • Obedience anchors worship. A temple built anywhere else would have been magnificent yet disobedient. • God’s specific instructions guard us from self-styled religion. • Faithfulness today honors both yesterday’s revelations and tomorrow’s generations. • Every believer has a “Mount Moriah”—a particular, often costly point where God asks for precise obedience. |
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