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June 12th
Our bible reading today is in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 2
“Solomon built his own house thirteen years...and then he was finished.”
Before he started his palace, Solomon built the Temple...the “House for God’s Name”. That sounds good, first things first. However, Solomon spent 7 years building the Temple, but here we learn that he spent 13 years on his own house.
The Temple was magnificent. The best master builder was employed. The finest skilled laborers inside and outside the kingdom were employed. And the best craftsmen for working with gold, silver, and precious stones were employed in building the Temple. Seven years they worked on the Temple.
Our reading says that Solomon hired those same exemplary workmen to build his house. But they spent almost twice as much time and effort on Solomon ‘s house as they did on the House for God’s Name. The Temple was glorious. But it seems that Solomon wanted his own house to be more glorious.
Wow...to me, that says much about the spiritual values of the new King. What was he thinking? His actions revealed where his heart was. His lifestyle showed the people that he was more interested in promoting his kingdom, his fame, and his splendor than he was in making God famous.
The Bible says that Solomon finished his work. That reminds me of a couple of things.
Before Jesus took his last breath on the cross, He said, “It is finished.”...meaning...” it is paid and it is purchased...speaking of His salvation work on behalf of all who believe Him. Paying our sin debt with His death, and purchasing us a home in heaven that we could never purchase on our own.
Solomon finished his work and gave a Temple of worship to his people. That was good. Jesus finished His work through His death and resurrection, and gave eternal life to His followers...That was way better!
One more thing about Solomon finishing his work on the Temple in 7 years, and finishing his work on his house in 13 years. That is twenty years in all of dedicated, persistent, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year work on purpose good works.
I'm reminded that my work of spreading the gospel of Christ throughout the world will not be finished until I die. But hopefully, those I've led to Christ over the years will carry on where I have left off.
Back today’s text...Solomon’s palace was called “The House of the Forest of Lebanon”. With the paneled walls and the 45 cedar pillars, walking in the palace was like walking in a majestic forest. The writer of our text says that some of what we might see in the palace was also seen in the Temple. Implying that the Temple was beautiful, but Solomon’s house was better.
O fellow followers of Christ, fellow lovers of His church, may our story show that we spent twice as much time, money, and effort on His church than we did on our own houses and lands.
Have a great day
