SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, `Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’ [1 Kings 5:5] A permanent, fixed temple was not God’s idea. He does not need a temple [Acts 7:47-49], and was satisfied with the Tabernacle [2 Samuel 7:6-7]. The mindset of the day was that the gods were honoured by beautiful temples; this is likely why Hiram saw wisdom in Solomon’s plan. God accepts the offer, though the subsequent history of the temple is not a positive one.
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ” `My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a `den of robbers.’ [Matthew 21:12-13] God does not need a house, but He provides a symbolic house to show His desire for restored fellowship with all people; where God and mankind meet, a house of prayer. But as we see in Jesus’ day, people have a way of misusing symbols, ceremonies and traditions. The temple became a good luck charm (nothing will happen to us as long as God’s house is here), a symbol of exclusion (this is our temple, not yours), and a means for profit (turned into a marketplace). This being the 3rd temple in Jesus’ day, we see that God is not as impressed by or tied to the building as the people were.
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” [Luke 21:5-6] God desires restored fellowship, not beautiful buildings. He comes through Jesus [described as a temple, John 2:19-21]. He restores us to fellowship with God through His death and resurrection, sends the Spirit into our hearts so that we become temples of God, Who makes His home in our hearts.
God’s concern is not a church building, impressive worship services, huge offerings, great Sunday School programs. These can be tools, but are not the goal. God desires to live in fellowship with us, that our hearts become His home. The question for me is this: am I as eager to establish my heart as a place to honour the Lord? How much am I investing in my personal relationship with God, through Jesus, by the Spirit. This is the ‘temple’ that God is interested in, that He is impressed by.
PRAYER:
Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I’ll be a living Sanctuary for you.
Where does our Lord God reside? To show the people of past, God’s presence was in the tabernacle and later in the temple and today? God dwells among His people but not in the buildings we construct. He dwells in the hearts of men.
Solomon built a beautiful temple then but his own palace was much larger. Today we build beautiful churches but our homes are our castles. Where do we find our God dwelling this Sonday? Each day?
God is dwelling among His people. Wherever two or three are gathered in His name He is there! And as I gather among His people today, in a church, may I be reminded that I need the Lord Jesus to dwell within me each and every day. As Solomon spared no expense in constructing the temple, I too, need to put first things first and make Christ Jesus, the carpenter, the Master Designer, in charge of my heart construction. I am still under construction to have Him live with me always. Our school theme this year is Under Construction an thus the folowing song I was reminded of – – –
Kids under construction –
Maybe the paint is still wet.
Kids under construction –
The Lord may not be finished yet.
We’re more than just accidents without the cause;
We’re more than just bodies and brains.
God made us on purpose; we’re part of a plan.
He cares and He knows us by name.
Refrain.
Now, mister, I know that I get in your way;
I’m noisy and just bug you so.
But there’s lots of questions I just have to ask
If I’m ever going to know.
Refrain.
Dear Jesus, please make me more patient and kind,
And help us to be more like You.
And make room for all other children of Yours,
For they are still growing up, too.