Daily Devotional for Wednesday, March 5

The Temple—More Information

“And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel,” 1 Kings 6:13.

The detailed descriptions of 1 Kings 6; 7 and 2 Chronicles 3; 4 help us somewhat to grasp the magnificence of Solomon’s Temple, but its splendor is difficult to fully fathom. Much thought, wisdom and wealth accompanied the details of the Lord’s dwelling place.

Eighty thousand stonecutters cut and prepared the large, costly stones at the quarry so the ringing of tools would not be heard at the house. The Lord’s house was 90’—2 semi-trailers or a basketball court—long. It was 30’ wide, just shorter than a telephone pole or the length of a stretch limo and approximately five stories high. The large stones were stacked with cedar planks above every third row. Cedar wood has many construction benefits. It is durable and strong yet lightweight. It does not shrink, swell, warp or decay even with drastic weather changes. It is naturally insect resistant and does not absorb heat, staying cool even in Israel’s hottest summers, but does absorb noise producing a quiet environment. It is also beautiful wood.

Solomon covered all the stone inside with wood. No stone was seen inside the house. The walls and ceiling were cedar, and cypress covered the floors. Cypress wood is also strong, durable, and water and rot resistant—great for flooring. The cedar walls and folding doors were intricately carved with knops, flowers, cherubim and palm trees. Then, everything wooden was overlaid with gold—the walls, doors, doorposts, altar, the cherubim in the inner sanctuary and even the floors.

From the two 15’ cherubim inside the holy place to the three story, free-standing bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, out front with their four hundred bronze pomegranates, a great deal of talent, expertise, time, energy, wealth, and teamwork began to build the Lord’s house. Solomon’s Temple was built to last. The extravagance was evidence to all the neighboring nations that Israel’s God was powerful and great.

THOUGHT

Do we offer that same time, expertise, energy and wealth to the Lord’s work today?

Kelli Reynolds