Read: 1 Chronicles 21:18–22:1; 2 Corinthians 9:15
Here shall be the house of the LORD God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel. (1 Chron. 22:1)
About five years ago, my wife had a serious surgery. We drove to the hospital in nearly complete silence. When I met with the doctor following her surgery, he said to me, “Everything went well; I see no sign of cancer.” His words were an inexpressible gift!
Our passage in 1 Chronicles expresses the foundation of all inexpressible gifts. God’s judgment through a plague has brought much death and destruction to Israel. David wants to buy the wheat property of Ornan to build an altar. With profound respect to King David, Ornan wants to donate the property. Taking responsibility for the plague, David will pay for the property in full. Even so, Ornan’s intention is a gift, even an inexpressible gift! Led by the prophet Gad to this place, David says, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God” (22:1). This is a gift not from Ornan but from God. This is the site of the temple of the Lord where God is present with his people. Later the Chronicler will tell us that the temple is on Mount Moriah (2 Chron. 3:1), reminding us of the spot where Abraham bound Isaac (Gen. 22:1-9).
The Chronicler records, “Here shall be the house” (1 Chron. 22:1). Where? On a hill above the city of David a thousand years later—the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross; thus, the plague of humanity for all time was averted. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)
As you pray, give thanks to God from whom all blessings flow.
About the Author
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland Michigan.
