Day 160 – Solomon & the Temple #1

• After a brief interlude in the wisdom literature, we’re back into the history books today with 1 Kings 6. I hope today that after reading the three different passages, you can see how they all connect. Spend some time thinking about the meaning of the word “temple” in the first passage, “house” in the second and “household/foundation” in the third.
• The building of the physical temple, as described in 1 Kings 6, is something that David wanted to do. Remember, however, that God had different plans for him and it was Solomon’s job to do it instead. Can you remember how David helped prepare the way for Solomon to do his work?
• Did you notice that Solomon continued to come to God in prayer about the building, even though he had been told by David he could do it? Good work Solomon!
• Solomon was fastidious in his work of creating the temple. We read detailed descriptions of it today, and you may wonder why this wasn’t one of the passages that we could “skip over” in this reading plan. Clearly this was an important job! Why? Well… this was more than just the creation of a new church building. Up to now, the people had been worshipping God in temporary locations, and there had been no set place for the ark. There had been no central location – just tents! The creation of the temple was so important to the people because they wanted to give God the “house” He deserved.
• That said, 1 Kings 6:12-13 puts the focus on obedience to God as more important than having an earthly “dwelling place” for God. The temple was an amazing structure, but it didn’t give the people extra blessings or status with God, just like a newly done-up church building doesn’t make it a more spiritual place!
• What are the differences in the building materials from the 1 Kings 6 passage and the Ephesians passage? Think back to when we recently studied this in Cells. Does you study of it then help you?
• Solomon, it is generally believed, wrote Psalm 127. What does verse 1 say about the temple he built? How might that verse help us consider any work that we do?
• What does Psalm 127 say about families? How is the family a type of temple that can show God’s glory? When people look at your family, do they see God at work?
• The passage in Ephesians is possibly the highlight of today’s readings. Who is our cornerstone? These few verses have deep deep theology. Do you understand them? If not, you might find your study bible useful to help think about the verses and speak to me or Mel to hear more.

Ephesians is an astonishing letter, written by the apostle Paul to the people (the church) in the city of Ephesus. That is in modern day Turkey. It comes within the wider context of Ephesians 2, where Paul lays bare the doctrine of how we have been made alive in Christ, and that we are all one in Him, like a building.

It is a wonderful example of the doctrine that teaches that we are saved by faith, not works, and as such, we are free to turn away from our old life to have a restored relationship with God, with Jesus at the centre.

It’s a timely reminder that as we read this awesome history of God’s people, the Israelites, and all that their kings did and didn’t do, that the greater picture is still one of God setting the stage for Jesus. Solomon is quite a big footnote in history, admittedly, but like his father before him, and everything else we’ve read so far this year, he is simply another chapter in the greatest story of them all – sin’s defeat and our redemption by the mighty work of Jesus.