Interesting stuff.....Solomon took 7 years to build the temple and then 13 years to build his palace. Kind of makes you wonder about priorities doesn't it? God always expects the best of us and from us....that is one of the reasons for the Mosaic law. It detailed what an acceptable sacrifice was.....no blemish! First fruits meant what we had in the beginning, not what is left over. It is always interesting to think about how a piece of furniture that is no longer needed in someone's home becomes perfectly acceptable in the church. Is that our best for our God?
I did think that the detail about the two columns that were built at the entrance to the temple were interesting. The are so big that they are given names. One is Jachin and the other Boaz. Consider the meanings of the names. Jachin means "he shall establish". Boaz means "In his strength". Now consider that ever time that the offerings are made in the court before the people, the priest is standing between these columns. Here is the visual reminder that God has established this place in his strength. Cool....isn't it.
The sea that is spoken of is a great vat for water that is used to perform ceremonial cleansing of the priests. It is estimated that it held 2500 gallons of water. That was a sea!
The temple is filled with all of the instruments that are crafted not just by Solomon, but those artifacts that David collected for that purpose as well. Even though David was not permitted to build the temple it was on his heart. He collected art and treasures that would later be moved into the temple.
Solomon has the ark of the covenant brought the temple in Jerusalem and when all is in place the Shekinah Glory, the presence of God fills the temple so that the priests are unable to perform their duties. Why? Because in the presence of the most high God, the priests are keenly aware of their sin and cannot stand before God. It is the same cloud of Glory that God spoke from when he gave the 10 commandments. The same Cloud of Glory that stood at the door of the tabernacle in the wilderness. The same cloud of glory that the New Testament speaks of when Jesus ascends into a cloud of glory. And perhaps it is the same cloud of glory that, one day, Jesus will return from when he comes to claim his bride, the church, in the end days.
Solomon prays his great prayer and when it is concluded God speaks to Solomon as he did in the beginning of his reign when Solomon prayed for wisdom. God reminds Solomon that as long as he and Israel walk before him and keep his commandments, he will preserve them and bless them. But if they fail in their responsibilities as God's chosen, then God will not preserve them and bless them. As we read on in our Bible study we will see how that plays out in just another generation or two.
Perhaps one of the failures of Israel was not being able to keep God and the temple separate in their minds. The temple becomes so important that they forget to keep God's ways. When that happens the temple becomes an Idol. We must be careful of this behavior as well. The church is a building and it is sacred only so long as those who are a part of it are worshiping and serving God. When caring for the building is more important than caring for God....God is no longer in the house. Let us pray and work that God would not only be in the house but that his Glory would be visible to all those who call on his name. Hope to see you on the Sabbath. God bless you!!
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