Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 16th, 2025 The Pattern

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 28 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 1 – 3; Psalms 76 – 80; Proverbs 16)

Listen to today’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0516 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from today’s reading – “What a Promise,” “Preparing for the Next Generation,” and “We Thank Thee and Praise Thy Glorious Name.“

“11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: … 18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.” (1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 18-19)

In today’s reading, we learn of David’s preparations for the Temple, which his son Solomon was going to have the privilege of building when he became the king after David was gone. Though the Temple is known as Solomon’s Temple, David made all the preparations and provided all the materials that Solomon would need to build it.

My thought for today’s reading surrounds the word, “pattern,” which appears four times in chapter 28. The word, pattern, refers to a type of blueprint that David provided for Solomon for all the different aspects of the building of the Temple. There was a pattern for the Temple itself, and then there were patterns for all the items that would be placed in and around the Temple. This is exactly the same way the word was used regarding the construction of the Tabernacle:

“9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. … 40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” (Exodus 25:9, 40)

“5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:5)

David did not only provide construction patterns for Solomon, however; his life was also a pattern for Solomon. David’s life (for the most part) was an example of godliness and devotion to the Lord. He modeled in front of Solomon and his other children what a worshipper and servant of God should be.

This is the idea expressed by Paul in his letters to Timothy and Titus. Paul described himself as a pattern of long-suffering for others to emulate:

“16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

And he exhorts us to be a pattern of good works:

“7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” (Titus 2:7)

Parents especially need to be the right example or pattern in front of their children. Someone once said, “as a parent, you don’t get what you want, you get what you are.”

As believers, we also need to be the right pattern of Christlikeness to the world around us. We may be the only Jesus they ever see; we may be the only Bible they ever read.

On Second Thought …

“12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:12-17)

Here is another thought from the passage, which will probably be developed into a future blog post. Notice in the verses above that David acknowledged that all the gifts that were given to provide the building materials for the Temple had ultimately come from God. The people were willingly and joyfully offering back to God the things that He had already given to them. We need to have that same attitude regarding giving. People sometimes think the church is just trying to squeeze or coerce people to give their money. The reality is that God wants to use us as a source of blessing to provide for the needs of the congregation, but we must also recognize that we only have to give what God has already given us. We are merely giving back!