"Solomon built a palace for himself, and it took thirteen years to complete the construction." 1 Kings 7:1
Solomon spent 13 years building his earthly dwelling place, his palace. I can only imagine the majesty and splendor of such a home. The detail and architecture sounds grand. I am sure it would be included in a modern-day parade of homes.
When he was ready to proceed to the interior furnishings, he sought out the finest craftsman to complete the job. As I read today's reading I could not help but see a parallel to the builder of our lives, the Lord God. He is the finest craftsman, an expert in the field. (Remember his family occupation?)
The author of Hebrews talks about the building talent of God in chapter three verse four.
Hebrews 3:4 "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
The Greek word for builder is Kataskeuazo (katask-you-od'-zo). It means to furnish, equip, make ready; of one who makes ready for a person or thing; of builders, to construct, erect, with the idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary. Putting this all together suggests that God is our builder, the builder of everything. He is the one who makes ready, equips, and adorns us with all things necessary.
Just as Solomon sought out the most skilled master craftsman to furnish and adorn his home, we should seek out the master builder of everything, God. We should be willing to allow Him to use His skill set to adorn, equip, and make us ready to be a display for His splendor.
8 Comments:
I love this verse, too:
Psalm 127:1
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."
I don't want to labor in vain. I only want to put my heart and hands to the the things He wants me to.
:)
Wendy and Sharon, the same truths hit me this morning. Not only do I want the Lord to be my "Builder", I want to allow His plans to come first. Solomon built the Temple before the palace. My heart delights in his priorities.
Questioning...how's my construction plan going? Where are my efforts focused? Am I building for God or self? If my first foundation isn't God, than my labour is in vain.
Asking myself, what blueprints are demanding my time today?
Have a great weekend ladies...and Wendy, thanks again for your dedication, passion for the Lord and His Word, and love for us!
Hugs,
Joy
PS. Quick update on Dad. God intervened. THANK YOU so much for your prayers yesterday. Much still needs to be done, but the Lord worked marvelously yesterday and we are praising Him!!! Waiting for our next step. The staff at the hospital told my Mom yesterday that they are learning so much through our families reactions. Praise the Lord!!!
Hi ladies! Happy Friday! I noticed the amount of time it took to finish the temple and Solomon's palace. 7 years and 13 years. How many of us have the patience to wait that long nowadays?
But God tells us so wait on Him. To have patience. The final reward will be awesome!
We are in such a hurry these days.
God grant me your patience; knowing and trusting that what I wait for will be soooo worth it. Amen.
Morgen
Morning Ladies,
I love this verse. It fits into to my life so well. When we built our home 23 years ago, we hung on the door the sign "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord". We built our house with love and the love of the Lord. We raised our children here. In our divorce I had to sign the house over and will leave here in a couple years.
As I sat on the deck last night I looked at all the "things" that have been built in his honor and glory. Then I saw the "things" that started to be built when our lives were on shifting sands. Those things were in vain and those very things are trouble spots right now.
Solomon spent all this time on a palace for "himself". This time could have been spent as an investment in God's business. Buildings rot, burn and stay when we pass away. Soul’s parish and go on for eternity. The memories that were made here with God at the head will go with me, where ever He leads me. The rest can stay here and parish. I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste 13 years of my life building a new house for myself when souls are dying without knowing my precious Lord. So I want to be used and not busy with me. That is my prayer, oh Lord.
Joy, so glad prayers were answered.
Chanan: what time is your procedure on Monday, I want to be sure to cover you in prayer.
Just a side note, ladies I am sorry that I have not posted more in the past weeks. I have a lot going on with family and divorce. It is hard, but God is so much bigger than it all and I thank all of you for your prayers. Through it all I am so blessed to have just what I need when I need it.
I have noticed a drop across the board in the number of posts from the regulars. Hope that things are alright with you. Even when I don’t post I do pop in and read, also I read my daily word.
I think it was last week there was a new sister who posted about going through a divorce. If you read this, know that you are not alone and will be prayed for.
Have a great holiday weekend girls,
Hugs,
Diane
Good Morning~
I was struck by the time between the two: seven years to build the Temple and 13 years to build his palace for himself. We moved into our home after my youngest was born, [about 15 years ago!] so the boy's have pretty much been raised in this home. At the time, I was not walking with God like I am right now. I was attending church and doing the things I thought were important, but I definitely was not seeking God's will for my life on a daily basis, nor was I reading his Word everyday. I was focused on "decorating." When you are building a house and planning all of the details it is quite easy to get caught up in the materialistic side of things. (duh!) I will say, that it took over my life. Planning all the little details, selecting all the colors, etc. I can't imagine going through this for 13 years!
I thank God that He built this home in spite of me! He not only had His hands on this home, but He selected neighbors to be placed around us. Shortly after we moved in he sprinkled a Godly woman 3 doors down that has been such a blessing to me. All around us are Christians or families that have Godly character traits. All of us have been here since the beginning and none of us have any intentions to move.
Seems to me like it was a very long time for Saul to be wrapped up into "himself." 13 years!
LORD, more of you-less of me! I want to be used by you to build your kingdom. I want your fruits to shine out from me, so that others' want you! Less of me-more of you!
As we daily seek God in His Word, you know the enemy is going to come in and do whatever he can to sidetrack us. He can't stand the fact that we are walking with God. It's a busy time right now for everyone...kids getting out of school, vacations coming up, new routines. Let's remember to pray over one another. Reading God's Word everyday must be a priority.
Thank you TONS, Wendy, for serving us this week! YOU ROCK, dear sister! I just absolutely love reading what God has to say to us through you! Thank you, too dear sisters for your comments. They help me see things that I'd never think about! I love "our sisterhood!"
ENJOY!!!
Lori - AZ
Dear ladies,
I was refreshed today to read again about the building and the furnishing of the temple. Like the Exodus chapters of the first building of the Tabernacle, the description of the furnishings of the temple were so spectacular and so visual! Gold, bronze, so much bronze that it could not be weighed! A "Sea" of bronze that held 11,000 gallons of water (or 16,500 depending... either way, I cannot fathom that in my entrance hall!) and in which the priests cleansed themselves. Pomegranates decorating the furnishings as well as hung from chains. Notice in Exodus 28 and 39, pomegranates adorned the priestly garments too. It must have been such a site when it was all done!
I admit I was disappointed to read the part about the palace Solomon built for himself. It took twice as long as the building of the temple and was more than twice as big! Just one of the buildings, the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon, was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high, as compared to the Temple; 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high. I couldn't help but wonder if Solomon was glorifying himself in all this.
But we are now God's temple. I am striving to make my furnishings as pleasing to God as the furnishings of the Tabernacle and the Temple of Solomon! I want to follow God's designs for this. I ask him as the Master Craftsman to mold me to his divine plan.
Joy - I am so glad to hear the news of your Dad, and I won't stop keeping you in my prayers.
Diane - good to hear from you again! I pray for your continued strength in this very difficult time.
Karen, CA
Hey ladies, as you were reading, were you trying as I was to picture the vastness and beauty in the temple and palace?
I am amazed once again at the details that were involved in making these structures. I couldn't help but realize how God is so involved in the details of our lives. He is aware of every hour, minute, and second of our existance. How comforting this is to me.
I also found perspective in yesterday's and today's reading on parenting. You are welcome to read it at www.kmspeaking.squarespace.com.
Praying for all of you. Joy, I am so excited that you are seeing progress as well as the witness your family is being. Diane, so glad to hear from you. Lori, you are such a blessing to me. Thank you for your sweet comments. And to Morgen, Karen, and Sharon, thanks for your insights. Oh, and Wendy, you are such a blessing to me too! Your faithfulness in this blog amazes me daily.
Happy Memorial Day Everyone!
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