1 KINGS 7


51 So was ended all the work that king Sh'lomo made for the house of Yahweh. And Sh'lomo brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of Yahweh.

Temples Made With Hands

"The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was yet standing."-Heb 9:8

IN OUR readings for today we see the nation of God's special choice in three important epochs of their history.

It is a wonderful privilege to be able to view at a glance the great historic panorama of the Hebrew people, for God has chosen them as the vehicle of His manifestation to the world. By their history He teaches us His ways, His divine principles of righteousness, His great purpose of salvation.

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In the first reading (1 Kings 7) we are with Solomon in the building of the Temple-the most magnificent building of its time, and perhaps of all time. Its value is estimated as up to 5 billion dollars [Much greater now as Bro Growcott's estimate is more than 3 decades old]

It was a great, intricately ornamented jewel of stone, cedar and gold-the pride of the nation and the wonder of the world-breath-taking in its lavish splendor.

But it was not God's idea. Like the appointment of the king, it was man's idea and desire. True, in God's great purpose there was to be a Temple, and there was to be a King. But the time had not come; and this was not the kind of Temple or King that God had in mind.

The Temple and Kingship were great paradoxes. They were types of the Spirit, but they were manifestations of the flesh. How beautifully does God bring the promise of future good out of present evil!

No trouble or expense was spared upon the Temple's external glory and beauty. If ever a splendid edifice could contribute to the value of divine service, this was such.

But as to inner, spiritual glory, it was a beautiful monument of failure, and God Himself had to finally destroy it because of all the evil that had become associated with it.

Bro Growcott