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Kings chapter 7 describes Solomon’s palaces and the important
elements of the temple. Like looking through a high-end decorating
magazine, my first reaction is to skip the elaborate details because
they do not pertain to me, but the temple was to be far more than a
building for Hebrews to gather. It was the only place where the
sacrifices could be offered to God and sin could be atoned for. The
design for the original Tabernacle and implements was given to Moses
by God Himself; Exodus
25:40
concludes,
“And
see to it that you make them
according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain“.
Today’s chapter begins, “It
took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of
his palace“.
The previous verse informed us that the temple took “seven
years“.
It is tempting rate
Solomon’s relative commitment to God (or evaluate our own
worthiness) by the amount of time spent on ‘building for God’.
Don’t fall into that performance-oriented trap! Ephesians 5:20
reminds believers, God cares more about our attitude than our time
sheet. Instead the apostle tells us that ALL of our work should be
done with gratitude; “giving
thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ“.
Solomon’s
palace was “a
hundred cubits long, fifty wide and thirty high”. That
is, roughly four times the size of the Temple.
“He built the throne hall, the Hall of Justice, where he was to
judge.”
In contrast to the temple, many people would have access to the Hall
of Justice. I have found that justice is only great when you are in
the right. I do not seek justice from God, I seek MERCY!
We also read there were two more palaces. “And
the palace in which he was to live, set farther back… similar in
design. Solomon also made a palace… for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom
he had married. Note,
the
further
away from the Temple you go, the more corrupt the building becomes.
All of the buildings were made from the same materials, yet they all
had different uses. Similarly, all of us are made from the same
material, but what is most important is what is going on inside; “for
man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart”
(1Sam. 16:7).
The
chapter ends with descriptions of gold, silver and bronze metalwork.
Clearly the temple was built at a great cost. In fact we read,
“Solomon
left all these things unweighed, because there were so many”.
“Solomon
also made all the furnishings that were in the Lord’s temple… When
all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was
finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated“.
All of these beautiful things would be used in the bloody sacrifice
of bulls and goats as a daily reminder that “the
wages of sin is death“.
Hebrews chapter 8 reminds us that the temple was a mere shadow of
heaven. Its ultimate purpose was to prepare the people for Jesus
Christ, “who
is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which
the Lord erected, and not man“.
Are you struggling trying to build something beautiful for God?
Instead, put your confidence in Christ.
“He
is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since
He always lives to make intercession for them“.
(Hebrews 7:25)