2 Chronicles 20:8 – “They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying,”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Jehoshaphat continues his prayer during a time of great crisis for Judah. He is reminding God of the promises and actions that have been taken in the past. Specifically, Jehoshaphat is pointing out that the people of Judah have lived in the land that God gave to them and have built a sanctuary for the worship of God’s name. This sanctuary is a reference to the temple in Jerusalem, which was a central place of worship and a symbol of God’s presence among His people. The people built the temple in obedience to God’s command and in acknowledgment of His greatness.

Jehoshaphat’s words highlight the fact that Judah had remained faithful to God by establishing a place where they could worship Him and seek His help. The sanctuary was more than just a physical building; it represented their devotion and commitment to honor God in the land He had given them.

Historical Context

This verse takes place during King Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, a time when the kingdom was facing an imminent invasion by a coalition of enemy nations. Jehoshaphat had called the people together to seek God’s help. In his prayer, Jehoshaphat refers to the temple, the sanctuary built by Solomon, as a reminder of Judah’s faithful worship of God.

The temple in Jerusalem was not just a religious structure; it was the heart of Israel’s spiritual life. It was built as a place where the people could come to offer sacrifices, pray, and seek God’s presence. The temple symbolized the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and Jehoshaphat’s prayer reminds God of the faithfulness of His people in building and maintaining this sanctuary for His Name.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights the importance of worship and devotion to God. By mentioning the sanctuary, Jehoshaphat is pointing out that the people of Judah had honored God by building a place where His name would be worshiped. This reminds us that worship is central to our relationship with God. The temple was more than a building—it was a visible sign of the people’s commitment to honoring God and keeping Him at the center of their lives.

Theologically, this verse also underscores the idea that God’s presence is real and powerful. The sanctuary was a place where people could come to meet with God, seek His guidance, and find comfort in His promises. It was a reminder that God was not distant, but near to His people, dwelling among them and ready to hear their prayers.

Literary Analysis

In the broader context of Jehoshaphat’s prayer, this verse serves as part of a larger argument where Jehoshaphat is appealing to God’s past actions and promises. The mention of the sanctuary in the land is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Judah. The phrase “for your Name” reflects the deep reverence that the people of Judah had for God and the special role the temple played in their worship.

Jehoshaphat’s use of the word “sanctuary” is significant because it evokes the idea of a holy place set apart for God’s glory. The sanctuary was built not for the sake of the people’s pride or status, but to bring honor to God’s name. This literary emphasis reinforces the theme of humility and dependence on God that runs throughout the chapter.

Biblical Cross-References

• 1 Kings 8:29 – “May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.” This verse from Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple connects directly with Jehoshaphat’s reference to the sanctuary built for God’s Name.
• Psalm 132:13-14 – “For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.’” This shows God’s desire to dwell among His people, which is symbolized by the sanctuary.
• Deuteronomy 12:5 – “But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling.” This reflects God’s command to build a place where His name would be honored, which was fulfilled in the temple.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of worship and maintaining God at the center of our lives. While we no longer have a physical temple like in the Old Testament, the principle remains the same: God desires to dwell with His people, and we are called to honor Him through our worship and devotion.

This verse also reminds us of the importance of setting apart time and space in our lives for God. Just as the Israelites built the temple as a sanctuary for God’s name, we can build moments in our lives—through prayer, worship, and reading Scripture—where we focus solely on God and honor His presence. It’s a call to recognize God’s rightful place in our hearts and to give Him the worship He deserves.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s love through His desire to dwell with His people. The fact that Judah built a sanctuary for God’s Name is evidence of their response to God’s loving invitation to be in relationship with Him. God didn’t just give them the land and leave them on their own. He made a way for His presence to remain with them through the sanctuary.

God’s love is also evident in His willingness to hear the prayers and cries of His people from the sanctuary. The temple was a place where the people could come before God with their needs, confident that He would listen. This shows God’s ongoing care and His desire to be near to His people, ready to help them in their time of need.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse connects to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s desire to dwell among His people. While the temple was a physical place where God’s presence was manifested, Jesus became the living embodiment of God’s presence on earth. In John 1:14, it says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus is the ultimate sanctuary—God dwelling with us in human form.

• John 2:19-21 – Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. Jesus referred to His own body as the true temple, showing that He is now the place where people meet with God.
• Revelation 21:22 – “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” In the new creation, there is no need for a physical temple, because Jesus Himself is the ultimate expression of God’s presence with His people.

Through Jesus, we have access to God’s presence at all times, and He becomes the center of our worship and devotion.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How can you set aside time and space in your life to focus on worshiping and honoring God?
2. What does it mean to you that God desires to dwell with His people? How do you experience God’s presence in your life?
3. How does the concept of the temple in the Old Testament help you understand the significance of Jesus being described as the ultimate “temple”?
4. In what ways can you make God the center of your life, just as the temple was the center of worship in Judah?
5. How does knowing that God listens to our prayers, just as He did for Jehoshaphat, encourage you in your faith today?

This verse encourages us to remember that God desires to be with us, and that worship is central to our relationship with Him. Through Jesus, we experience the fullness of God’s presence, and we are called to make Him the center of our lives, just as the sanctuary was the center of Judah’s worship.