THE SACRED AND BEAUTIFUL SANCTUARY
So all the work that King Solomon had performed for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the items his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD.
1 Kings 7:51 (BSB)
The landscape of much of the ancient Near East was desolate, dry and bare. It was uninviting and a very difficult place to live. The environment was a reminder that when Adam and Eve sinned against God, He cursed the ground and promised that working the field would forever be painful toil. The land would continually be fraught with thorns and thistles (see Genesis 3:17-19). Jerusalem had no natural resources, fertile land or major trade routes. God’s people lived in houses made mainly of mud, stone and straw. In contrast, surrounding and more powerful nations lived near sources of water. They had livestock and herds of animals for tilling and planting fertile ground. There was a distinct difference between the two ways of life.
In Solomon’s time, however, stood a thing of beauty. Splendid and glorious. This was the temple that would far surpass those of surrounding nations. It was a reminder of the blessings of the Promised Land, which was situated along the Mediterranean Sea. A grand temple in the middle of such a barren place would have made it all the more beautiful.
For many, 1 Kings 6-7 can be challenging to read. At first glance, it appears to be a list of building supplies. Cedar, gold, silver and bronze. Roofs, foundations, pillars and flooring. There are descriptions of the intricate details of carvings and symbols. However, these chapters are more than architectural drawings and building specs for a local contractor. Beyond their value, these materials were also symbolically significant. They represented the purity, divinity and glory of God. The use of precious metals and elaborate furnishings was intended to reflect the majesty and holiness of God, as seen in the detailed descriptions of the Tabernacle in Exodus.
What a sight to behold.
APPLICATION: Modern church buildings pale in comparison to Solomon’s temple. But God’s glory never fades or ceases to exist. Read 1 Kings 6-7 and ask God to help you picture the temple and experience His holiness and majesty.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, I long to be filled with awe of Your majesty and beauty. I don’t often think of these things. I pray You’d help me see You more as You really are. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?