Day 140-141, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Kings 5:1-12; 2Chronicles 2; 1Kings 5:13-18; 1Kings 9:15-16, 20-23; 2Chronicles 8:7-10; 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 127; 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4:1-5:1.Note: Since this is a two-day Bible study, you may choose to read the Bible passages on May 20 and the Bible study on May 21.
What Makes a House a Home?
After a few years of living on our own or with our spouse, we might try to buy a house, or if we can afford it, have one designed and built just for us. We want a place to call our own. Many times the house expresses our character, but what makes a house a home?
God is First
When King Solomon marries an Egyptian princess, he does not build his castle right away. Instead, Solomon and his bride live in his father David’s palace. Before creating his palatial structure, King Solomon builds God’s temple.
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the LORD. (1Kings 6:1, NIV) [note: this is a significant Scripture verse that helps us establish the chronology of Biblical events —more…]
Gathering Materials
Before building the temple, Solomon makes a treaty with Hiram, King of Tyre (Lebanon). In exchange for large amounts of wheat, barley, wine, and olive oil, Hiram orders his men to cut cedar, pine, and algum logs and then float them like rafts down to Joppa. There, workers will carry them up to Jerusalem for the construction of the temple and his palace. Hiram also sends a skilled artisan to help complete the work on God’s house as designed (2 Chronicles 2:3-16).Conscripting Labor
After Solomon gathers the materials for the temple, he conscripts workers. He assigns the Israelites the tasks of being his soldiers, captains, and chief officials. The officials are to supervise the building project because God forbids Israelites to be slaves—they are free in the Promised Land (Leviticus 25:42-43; 2Chronicles 8:7-10).
In the same way that God did not want Israel to return to slavery after he delivered her, God does not wish us Christians to return to slavery. We were enslaved to all forms of lust, greed, and pride, (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 6:16-23), and now he wants us to live in liberty, not return to our former lifestyles.
Instead of using Israelites for slave labor, Solomon uses the aliens in the land to do it. Conscripting aliens suppresses rebellion and introduces them to the true God. As they work on his temple, they hear the musicians singing praises to the Almighty God of Israel (1Chronicles 6:31-32), and they learn of his character. Likewise, today, when churches hire skilled labor to help build their worship centers, it is a chance to show them Christian love and fellowship. .
Location, Location, Location
Realtors, businesses, or people searching for prime real estate often look for the best location. Mt. Moriah is a memorable place to build the temple. It is where Abraham brought his only son, Issac, to sacrifice before God stopped him and substituted a ram. This location is also where King David offered a sacrifice to stop a plague on the Israelites for his sin in numbering the people drafted for war (2Chronicles 3:1; 1Chronicles 21:17-29; Genesis 22:2).In this same location is where Herod will build his temple (an expanded version of Solomon’s rebuilt temple). Mt. Moriah is also close to the site where Christ would die as a sacrifice for our sins. All of these areas are just outside Jerusalem. It is a place where God is present.
Construction of God’s House
The temple they construct is ninety feet (twenty-seven meters) long, thirty feet (nine meters) wide and forty-five feet (thirteen and one-half meters) high, built of dressed stone (more…). The workers hammer and chisel all the rocks at the quarry, not the worksite (1Kings 6:7); it is considered hallowed ground.Skilled Artisans cover the interior cedar walls of the temple in gold with intricate designs of Cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. The articles of the temple are polished brass and gold. Over twenty-three tons of gold are used in the construction of the inner sanctuary of the house of God and its furnishings. The amount of brass used is so much that the officials do not count it. Gold, silver, and brass make the temple gleam, reflecting the glory of God.
Two pillars stand in the front of the temple. The column on the south end is Jakin, meaning “He establishes.” The column on the north is Boaz, meaning “In Him is strength.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.500). These magnificent posts at the front of the temple remind the Israelites that “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1, NIV).
The keeping of their house of worship is not so much reliant on their ability to pay a mortgage payment, as it is on their obedience to God (1Kings 6:12-13). The same is true for us regarding our homes and churches.
Priorities
After Solomon’s work on the temple is complete, he makes his palace. Solomon’s priorities are to do the will of God before satisfying his desire for a place of his own. His palace is larger than the temple, but he makes it of cedar and stone, not gold, silver, and brass. He does not want his house to take away any of the glory of God’s house.
Is God our priority, or are we? Do we care about God’s glory so much that we do not want to do anything to diminish it in people’s eyes?
What Makes a House a Home?
What makes a house a home? Its construction? Its furnishings? Its location? No. The same principle applies to homes and churches—
for a house to be a home or a church to be a cherished haven, we should live in obedience to God and in loving consideration for one another.
Is God at home in our hearts? Do we have a personal relationship with him? (more...). Do we love one another? Happy is the place where God is at home and where we are in unity with our family members.
note: Cherubim are worshipping angels who surround God’s presence proclaiming his holiness)
See a video tour of Solomon's temple. See a video tour and explanation of Solomon's temple.
See an archeological discovery of Solomon's palace and an artist's depiction of the queen of Sheba's visit (more...)
Focus Verse
Psalm 127:1 (NIV) “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”
Discussion
When we want to make a house a home, what should be our priority?
Why does God not want Israel to go back to doing slave labor? What can we learn from this regarding our spiritual life?
What makes a house a home?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Now that the temple has been built, it is time for Dedication and Responsibility. See how Solomon leads this in our Next Lesson.
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