Building the Temple

1 Kings Chapter 6

In midspring of Solomon's fourth year of reign, he began construction on the Temple of the Lord. This was 480 years after the people of Israel were delivered from their slavery in the land of Egypt.

The Temple was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high. The foyer was 30 feet wide and ran across the width and projected outward 15 feet. It had narrow recessed windows throughout the Temple. A complex of rooms was built against the inner walls, all the way around the sides and rear of the building. The complex was three stories high and the rooms connected to the walls of the Temple by beams resting on ledges built out from the wall. Stones used were prefinished from the quarry, so the entire structure was built without the sound of hammer, axe or other iron tool at the building site. The entrance was on the bottom floor on the south side of the Temple and there were winding stairs to the upper floors. Solomon put a ceiling made of beams of cedar planks.

Then the Lord gave this message to Solomon: "Concerning this Temple, you are building. If you keep all my laws and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David. I will live among the people of Israel and never forsake my people."

So Solomon finished the Temple. He paneled the walls and ceilings with cedar and cypress on the floors. He partitioned off an inner sanctuary - the Most Holy Place- at the far end of the Temple. The dimension of each room and the descriptions of the cherubim with outspread wings and all the doorposts, is found in verses 17 through 36.

The entire building was completed in every detail by mid-autumn of the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: In honorof God, the temple was built without the sound of hammer or any other tool. This meant the stone was prefinished miles away at the quarry. The people's honor and respect for God extended to every aspect of the construction of this house of worship. The details are recorded not to teach us how to build a church, but to show us the importance of demonstrating care, concern, honor and respect for God and his sanctuary.

Verse 13 was important because it was the Lord's message that his eternal presence would never leave the Temple as long as one condition as met. The people had to obey God's laws.

The concept of Solomon's Temple was more like a palace than a place of worship. It was ornate, but had small inside dimensions because most worshipers gathered outside.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Look around your church on Sunday. Does it reflect well thought out plans, elaborate architecture? Do you feel comfortable in your place of worship. Does it feel more like a gymnasium with chairs? Does it have a permanent altar or is it like a multipurpose auditorium that can have its innards whisked away to accomodate a larger crowd? The biggest questions is: does it matter what your church looks like inside? Today these are tough questions. Some folks like many statues and ornate insides which help to remind them of the respect they owe to God. Some folks like the simplicity of design. Which ever you like, don't let "looks" be your guide. So long as you can sense the spirit of God inside your church and feel that he hears your prayer, it really doesn't matter where or what kind of church building you are in. Keep praying!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake,those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.