KBM Chain Necklaces And Pomegranates

I’ve enjoyed these studies through the scriptures looking at those 3:16 passages in our “Impact 3:16” series we have been doing. Last week, we look at 2 Kings 3:16 on “One Can Make A Change.” Today, we are going to turn our attention to 2 Chronicles 3:16 this time. In 2 Chronicles 3 we find Solomon doing what his father David was not allowed to do, build the temple of God. This chapter sets forth where the temple was built (2 Chronicles 3:1), the measurements of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:2-4, and the ornateness and beauty of the temple throughout and within in the rest of the chapter. For example in the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies there was 600 talents of find gold used which comes to 45,000 pounds of gold. Even the nails were of gold (2 Chronicles 3:9). Among all these impressive numbers and amazing amounts of precious metals and stones we find our text in 2 Chronicles 3:16. Let’s start in verse 14 and finish in 17.

2 Chronicles 3:14–17 ESV

14 And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it. 15 In front of the house he made two pillars thirty-five cubits high, with a capital of five cubits on the top of each. 16 He made chains like a necklace and put them on the tops of the pillars, and he made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains. 17 He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the south, the other on the north; that on the south he called Jachin, and that on the north Boaz.

If you have ever seen the move Jurassic Park, you probably remember a line John Hammond, the CEO and creator of the park used several times in showing off his place to his visitors. No less than five times he as we “spared no expense.” When I read this chapter this is what I think of when it comes to Solomon’s expense on the temple. Solomon, who is said to be worth in today’s money well over 5 trillion dollars “spared no expense” when it came to the the Temple of God. And yet will all the gold chain necklaces with pomegranates and all the precious stones this did prove Solomon’s commitment to the Lord. There is no doubt that Solomon “loved the LORD” (1 Kings 3:3) but unfortunately he loved this world and the things in it more.

1 Kings 11:4 (ESV)

4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

The expression “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig” comes to mind here. Many like Solomon think if they “give enough money” to the church they can “do whatever they want” Monday through Saturday. But a pig is a pig whether it’s got lipstick on or not and an unfaithful Christian is still an unfaithful Christian whether he/she gives a lot of money or not.