Completion of Temple Construction

Completion of Temple Construction

 

1 Kings 7:40-51

 

Hiram made the laver, shovels, and bowls for the temple. Thus Hiram finished all the work in the house of the LORD for King Solomon. That is, two pillars... a cauldron, a shovel, and a bowl. Hiram made all these vessels of polished brass for King Solomon in the temple of the Lord. King Solomon finished all the work he had done to build the temple of the Lord. So Solomon took the things that his father David had given, the silver, the gold, and the utensils, and placed them in the treasury of the temple of the Lord.

 

The utensils Hiram made were of the highest quality, made by pouring brass into elaborate molds (verses 40-45). The best technology, the best materials, and the greatest dedication came together to create sacred instruments. How do I use the talents, materials, and time that God has given me? When you give generously for the kingdom of God, no matter how much or how little, it will become a masterpiece in the hands of God.

 

Solomon made the altar, the table of the Showbread, the lampstand, the candlestick, the bowl, the tongs, the bowl, and the spoon, etc., of pure gold or overlaid them with pure gold (48-50). Even seemingly insignificant objects, such as door hinges, were made of gold. In God's temple, everything is holy and there is no discrimination. Every space and every object in the temple was precious. Likewise, the current church should not have a tendency to only focus on external appearance and emphasize only big things. The temple community values ​​not only big things but also small things, and values ​​not only the outstanding but also the weak.

 

Solomon completed the construction of the temple by placing David's offering in the temple treasury. Although David could not build the temple himself, he gave his wealth and treasures to build the temple. The fact that he prepared this even in the midst of many tribulations shows how great his desire for building the temple was (1 Chronicles 22:14 During my tribulation, I provided 100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver and bronze and iron for the temple of the Lord, which could not be weighed. We have prepared much, and we have prepared timber and stones, but you will add more). The zeal was not toward the building itself, but toward God, who had said He would put His name on the building. If we are passionately devoted to God, our devotion will be treasured and stored in God's memory.

 

God, help us generously give the talents, materials, and time You have given us for Your kingdom! Let us cherish the small things and the weak and carry out Your work together! Help us to be passionately devoted to You even in the midst of many tribulations!