Lesson 257 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (Psalm 100:4).
Cross References
I Plans for Building
1. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent greetings to Solomon, and Solomon requested help in preparing material for the House of God, [1KG:5:1-2], [1KG:5:6].
2. Israel's wars prevented David from building the Temple, but Solomon enjoyed rest on every side, [1KG:5:3-5].
3. Hiram rejoiced at Solomon's offer and contracted to help furnish the material for the Temple, [1KG:5:7-10].
4. The plans were put into execution and the material arrived at Jerusalem ready for the building, [1KG:5:11-18].
II Actual Construction
1. During the fourth year of Solomon's reign the construction of the Temple was begun, [1KG:6:1].
2. The Temple proper was twice as large as the Tabernacle, [1KG:6:2-6].
3. The stones were made ready for the building before they were brought into the city, [1KG:6:7].
4. The construction was elaborate, with chambers added on all sides of the Temple, [1KG:6:8-10].
III A Temple of Promise
1. The Lord renewed His promise to Solomon upon condition that Solomon would keep God's commandments.[1KG:6:11-13].
2. No expense of either time or money was considered, [1KG:6:14-36].
3. Seven years and six months were used in building the Temple, [1KG:6:37-38].
Notes
Worthy Ambitions
Meditation upon the things of God and of Heaven produces marvellous results in our life. One day Israel's most God-loving king sat in His palace of cedar comparing the richness of his abode with the comparative poorness of the tent wherein was sheltered the Ark. This tent and all it contained represented the scene and centre of Israel's worship of their God.
David's heart told him that the God of Israel, who had performed so much good for His people, should have a building that was worthy of His Name to represent Him. The plan was outlined to Nathan the Prophet, and it seemed so good that the Prophet felt sure that the plan would be approved by God. That night, however, the Lord had a different message for Nathan to deliver to the king. The reign of David had been marked by numerous wars, and much blood had been shed by David and his men; therefore he was not permitted to build a house unto the Lord. The Lord showed David that He had not requested a house to be built, but He commended David for the worthy ambition, and promised that David's son, who would follow him to the throne, would build the Temple that David had conceived in his meditations.
Fulfilled Promise
When a covenant or contract with God is kept, the children of men may be sure that God will always perform His part to the fullest extent. Though the plan to build God's Temple was very dear to the heart of David, he yielded his will to God's perfect will. However, David did not sit idly by, waiting for the day of his death. Only the very best and costliest materials would go into the construction of the House that was designed to be built, and David busied himself throughout his remaining years in bringing these materials into the city of Jerusalem. "I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance" [1CH:29:2]). In addition, David directed his steps in the fear of the Lord to such an extent that the Spirit delivered to him the pattern for the House of the Lord [1CH:28:11-12]). Thus David's work of the preparation of materials would seem to be as great as Solomon's work of actual construction. When Solomon ascended to the throne of Israel he found that his country was at peace with everyone, and he also found much of the material already prepared that he might go ahead and build the Temple that had been planned. God's promise to David was fulfilled to the very letter.
A Place for All
God has many positions and callings in His economy for the children of men, and there is a place for all who have a desire to serve Him. Some positions may not seem as spectacular as others, but faithful service will bring a sure reward. The thing that kept David from building the Temple " his wars " was the very thing that brought about the condition that made it possible for Solomon to build very soon after he ascended the throne of Israel. Besides having a great heritage of materials to use, he could say, "The LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent" [1KG:5:4]).
God is primarily a God of peace, but the various eras of persecutions and tribulations have set the stage for times of mighty building on the spiritual House of God. The Apostles and disciples of Christ suffered many things immediately after Jesus returned to the Father, but their undaunted faith and intrepid spirit have left a heritage for the world that has inspired Christians to keep on building the Church to this very day. In comparatively recent years the pilgrims of the Latter Rain Gospel have had to weather many storms, go through privations, suffer physical violence, and endure the slander of men that we might enjoy the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we know it today. Our overseers and leaders have given us a great treasures of materials with which to build the spiritual House of God. The Temple of Solomon was patterned after the heavenly Temple and was but a shadow of greater things to come.
There will be a continuous fight of faith on the Christian's part until the Rapture, until the Lord sets up His Kingdom and reign of peace on earth. Soon, however, the spiritual warfare will be ended, the materials of the Church will all be prepared and gathered into Heaven. The spiritual Temple will be completed in peace and rest that will continue throughout the Millennial Reign and on throughout the countless ages of eternity.
Unto God's Name
Solomon was one of the wisest men ever to live on the earth, and he knew that the Temple, however magnificent it might be, would never contain more than a small portion of the Spirit of the mighty God of Heaven. "Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" [1KG:8:27]). The greatest glory that men could produce would never add to nor detract from the glory of God. He remains the fullness of glory and power, regardless of the things that men do or do not do. However, it is possible for men to bring honour or disrepute to the Name of God among men. The utmost desires of both David and Solomon was that the Name of God should become renowned throughout the world as a result of this beautiful building. They desired that only glory and praise to God should stem from this activity on their part.
This truth should impress itself upon all who name the Name of Christ. No man can add to Christ's personal glory, no matter how righteous and godly the life that is lived; but it is surely possible to add to the glory and praise of his Name among men by living an upright and spotless life. On the other hand, the man who takes a profession of Christianity upon his life without bringing forth the fruits of the Christian life will bring discredit to the Name of Jesus. The Word declares, "Ye are the temple of the living God" [2CO:6:16]). If the Christian structure is built aright, the people who come in contact with it will reason, as did the Jews of Apostolic days: "They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" [ACT:4:13]). The greatest testimony to the power of Jesus Christ is the sinless life lived among men, while the greatest reproach to the Name of Christ is the professing Christian who lives in sin. Be sure to build your Christian life according to the Word of God, or the building is doomed to fall.
The Kin of Tyre
Solomon was careful that only the best material obtainable went into the building of the Temple; and also he sought out the most skilful workers that he could find to do the work. When Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants to greet Solomon upon his ascension to the throne of Israel, Solomon returned a message desiring the help of the Sidonians in securing the timbers for the House. It seems very possible that Hiram had been converted to the faith of Israel's God, "for Hiram was ever a lover of David." Also, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon he rejoiced greatly, and said, "Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people." Unsaved people usually are not quick to give God praise for anything.
Solomon and Hiram made a league together to accomplish this work, and the situation worked out very well. Solomon's servants worked with the Sidonians in the forests of Lebanon; and together they cut, hewed, and brought out of the forest the timbers of cedar and fir that were needed. The timbers were carried to the sea, then conveyed to the shores of Palestine on floats, to be carried to the Temple site at Jerusalem.
No Hammers
Another marked feature in the building of this House for the Name of God was the fact that no hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron was heard. Each timber and each stone was cut and shaped to fit its place in the building, according to the master-plan, before it was ever brought into the city. Possibly there were many stones left on the hillsides of Israel because they could not be cut to the proper shape and size that was demanded.
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" [1PE:2:5]). Christ's Church has been likened unto a building, with Christ as the Cornerstone and the members of the Church as the stones that are built upon Christ. The great Architect of Heaven has the master-plan of the ages, and those who wish to qualify for His building must undergo the cutting and shaping that will fit them for their place. Many, many sinners with hearts as hard as stone have fallen upon the Rock Christ Jesus, have had the hardness of their hearts broken, have been made over by the Master and made to fit perfectly into the building of God. It is not given man to know the exact size and shape that is required of him, and often the processing seems very painful; but leave the final result to the wise counsel of God. He never errs nor makes any mistakes.
The Finished Work
No details are given concerning the chambers and courts; but the dimensions of the Temple proper, given in Ezekiel 40, correspond with the account in I Kings; and since Ezekiel himself was a priest and saw Solomon's Temple, it is thought by many Bible students, as well as by Josephus the historian, that this Prophet has given us the true specifications of Solomon's Temple. In that case the Temple area on Mount Moriah measured 600 cubits, or about 900 feet, square, enclosed by a wall nine cubits, or about 14 feet high. Inside this was the court of the Gentiles, 50 cubits, or 75 feet, wide. Next came the court of Israel, 100 cubits, or 150 feet, wide encompassed by a great wall. Into this space opened the magnificent galleries for the convenience of the priests and a cover in stormy weather. Within this enclosure was the court of the priests with the brazen altar and the Temple proper. The building faced the east. The value of the gold and other costly materials employed in the Temple and its furnishings has been estimated to be between N2,000,000,000 and N5,000,000,000.
Questions
1. Why did Hiram, king of Tyre, send his servants to Solomon?
2. What message did Solomon send back with Hiram's servants?
3. Why was David not permitted to build the Temple for the Name of the Lord?
4. What did David do, even though he was not permitted to build?
5. What part did the Sidonians have in building the Temple?
6. How were they paid for their labour?
7. Where and how were the stones and timbers prepared for the building?
8. How many compartments did the Temple have?
9. How long did it take Solomon and his servants to complete the building?