Bible Pathway - Apr. 23, 2010
Highlights:
Solomon plans for the construction of the Temple. Check out how many years it took before Solomon begins to build the Temple of God and how long before he began accumulating horses (I Kin. 4:26; 6:1).
Verses for Today:
The Word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in My Statutes, and execute My Judgments, and keep all My Commandments to walk in them; then will I perform My Word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel (I Kin. 6:11-13).
Solomon's Temple was twice the size of the Tabernacle. It was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet tall (6:2). The interior was divided into two rooms. The first room was called the Holy Place and was 60 by 30 feet; the second room was called the Holy of Holies and was a 30 x 30 x 30 foot cube.
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign . . . he began to build the House of the Lord (6:1). No other building in the world compared with Solomon's Temple. Costly materials and treasures were lavished upon it by David. Its true lory was the Shekinah Glory — the presence of God who dwelt within the Holy of Holies.
This is also true of the Christian, who is a temple of God. The miracle of the new birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit make the difference between the Christian, the unsaved, and all other religions. Jesus said: I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). The Apostle Peter attested: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name . . . whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Every child of God is more precious to our Heavenly Father than Solomon's Temple. Ye are the temple of God (I Cor. 3:16). Every day is a sacred trust that becomes more meaningful with the awareness that the God of heaven lives within every believer. Ye . . . are built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together for growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22).
For ye are bought with a price (belong to God): therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit (I Cor. 6:20).
Thought for Today:
When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth . . . He will shew you things to come (John 16:13).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Temple (I Kin. 6). Christ is the true Temple (John 2:21). Through Christ all may have access to God (Rom. 5:12-21). Through Him we . . . have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph. 2:18).
Word Studies:
5:3 under the soles of his feet =under his control; 5:4 evil occurrent =evil happenings; 5:13 levy =forced labor; 6:2 a cubit =about 18 inches; 6:5 oracle =Holy of Holies. Oracle in I Kings 8:8-9 =inner sanctuary, location of the two tables of stone. God cannot be separated from His Word whether spoken or written; 6:38 month (of) Bul =October/November; 7:4 ranks =rows; 7:9 coping =the top, the highest course of stone; 7:14 cunning =skilled.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Official: Rep. Fred Upton (MI) • Country: Germany (82 million) in north-central Europe • Major language: German • Religious freedom • 33.8% Evangelical (Lutheran); 33.6% Catholic; 3.4% Muslim; 1% Orthodox; 1% Other Christian; .2% Other; 27% None • Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks to the Lord and praise Him openly, for He has redeemed you through His blood and forgiven all your sins (Col. 1:12-14).
Optional Reading: Acts 24
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:12
