I am posting this chapter ahead of Monday as my wife and I will be leaving for Phnom Penh for a mission trip on Saturday. I request for your prayer covering as our team of 11 from Grace AOG (Singapore) reach out to the villagers in Cambodia.
Synopsis
The details of the temple plan were laid out in this record, I believe, not for teaching us how to build a temple. It is about honoring God and carrying out His instructions to the dot. As Solomon directed the efforts to build the temple, God told Solomon that it is not temple that will keep God's protection upon Israel. The key point was Israel's obedience to Him that will keep Israel safe. Unfortunately, as we continue to study the rest of Kings, we will find that, time and again, the nation disobeyed God and willfully strayed from Him.
Major verses
V7 - To honor God, the Temple was built without the usual noise created by tools such as the hammer and the chisel within the temple grounds. More work had to be done as the stones had to be pre-cut and finished miles away. But Solomon was determined to honor and respect God and thus this was in important aspect.
What I learn
We must be determined to give honor and respect to God in everything that we do. Honoring Him will mean that we have to give up some of the habits, things and thoughts that we know are offensive to Him.
V11-13 - God was not as much interested in the physical aspects of the temple than He was in the hearts of His people. While it was good and according to God's will that the Temple would be built, God told Solomon clearly that the condition for His continued presence with Israel was their obedience and not their offerings.
What I learn
God searches the heart of men and desires for our obedience to Him. As long as we obey Him, He will always be with us. He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us, it is up to us if we want Him to leave.
Summary
The instructions and details for building the temple were given to allow men to obey and honor Him. And God has promised that as long as we continue to honor and respect and obey Him, He will not leave us.
Over to you....
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