2 Chronicles 20:8

2 Chronicles 20:8 is part of King Jehoshaphat's fervent prayer during a severe national crisis, as Judah faced an overwhelming invasion from the Ammonites, Moabites, and inhabitants of Mount Seir. In this verse, Jehoshaphat reminds God of His covenant faithfulness and the purpose of the Temple built in Jerusalem.

Context

Following news of a vast army approaching, King Jehoshaphat, in his fear, set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. His prayer, spanning 2 Chronicles 20:5-12, is a powerful appeal to God's omnipotence, His historical acts on behalf of Israel, and His specific promises regarding the Temple. Verse 8 serves as a foundational premise within this prayer, recalling that the Israelites were given the land and built the Temple specifically as a place for God's name and a refuge in times of trouble.

Key Themes

• God's Dwelling Place and Presence: The verse emphasizes the Temple as a physical manifestation of God's presence among His people, a place where His "name" resides. This concept echoes earlier commands for a sanctuary, such as in Exodus 25:8.
• Covenant and Promise: Jehoshaphat appeals to God's past promises regarding the land given to Abraham's descendants and the sanctity of the Temple. The building of the sanctuary, as recounted in 1 Kings 6:1 and 2 Chronicles 3:1, was a direct fulfillment of God's instruction and a sign of His enduring covenant.
• Purpose of the Temple: The phrase "a sanctuary therein for thy name" highlights that the Temple was built not merely as a structure, but as a dedicated space for God's glory, where His character and authority were acknowledged. It was intended as a place where people could come to seek Him, especially in distress, as articulated in Solomon's dedication prayer and God's response in 2 Chronicles 7:15.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sanctuary" is miqdash (מִקְדָּשׁ), meaning a holy place, a consecrated area set apart for God. The phrase "for thy name" (לְשִׁמְךָ, leshimkha) is profoundly significant. In biblical thought, God's "name" represents His revealed character, authority, and very presence. Building a sanctuary "for His name" means dedicating it entirely to His honor and that His presence would be uniquely associated with that place.

Practical Application

While we no longer have a physical Temple in Jerusalem as the primary place of worship, the principles embedded in this verse remain vital. Believers today are reminded that God desires to dwell among His people. The New Testament teaches that individual believers are temples of the Holy Spirit and the church corporately is God's dwelling place (Ephesians 2:22). This verse encourages us to:

• Remember God's Faithfulness: Like Jehoshaphat, we can recall God's past acts and promises as a basis for prayer and trust in current challenges.
• Seek God's Presence: Recognize that God is accessible and desires for us to seek Him in prayer and worship, wherever we are.
• Live for God's Name: Our lives, as His dwelling place, should be consecrated to His honor, reflecting His character and bringing glory to His name in the world.