Skip to main content

April 5 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 95

We're building the temple today.  I found a video that may help you visualize what you're reading about the temple's construction.  It's not a Bible Project video, but it is a reading of 1 Kings 5-7 depicting the sizes of each area accordingly.

Let me know what you think about the video.



DAILY READINGS

1 Kings 4-7 & Psalm 95

DAILY NOTES

1 Kings 4

  • Notice that Solomon has an organized kingdom.  There is peace among the people and within the land.  The people "were as numerous as the sand by the sea; they ate and drank were happy."  Things were good!
  • Of course, the wisdom of Solomon is highlighted once again.  It is assumed that, since God gave Solomon his wisdom, God is the source of the peace and prosperity of the people.
1 Kings 5
  • Solomon makes a treaty with King Hiram.  Hiram commits to provide wood and labor for Solomon to build the temple of God.  Solomon puts together a work force and labor begins.
1 Kings 6-7
  • You may not know what a cubit is, but just know that what's being described is a magnificent structure inside and out.
Psalm 95
  • The psalmist tells us to worship God with a joyful noise.  But our worship isn't just what we sing or even how we sing.  Worship is recognizing who God is and, consequently, listening to his voice (do not harden your hearts).  In other words, obedience!

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

We can't talk about Solomon's temple without talking about God's timing.

You remember when David wanted to build this house for God, right?  If he had, it probably would have been a fine piece of architecture.  The impression I think we're supposed to get with Solomon's temple, however, is that it is beyond fine.

What was the difference?  You could say Solomon was more creative, but the designs were probably pulled from an ancient source that both men could have used.  Was Solomon more prepared.  Well, in some way, yes.

David couldn't have devoted the time and resources that Solomon was able to provide.  That's because David had battles to face, for the benefit of himself and the kingdom.

What it comes down to is that David recognized God's timing for the project meant he would have to wait.  It takes faith to wait on God.  It takes faith to be obedient, too.  As we look at what Solomon was able to accomplish we can't help but consider that David was a part of this project in some way.  His faithfulness (patience) helped created the current climate of peace and prosperity that paved the way for the temple's construction.

Has God asked you to wait lately?  Having trouble with that?  Hang on because you don't know how your faithfulness might be preparing something great!

Stay blessed...john
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90 David's family situation continues to spiral.  In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape.  As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 13:1-14 Amnon was David's first born son (3:2).  That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21).  Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom. Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon.  Amnon is lovesick with her.  He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom).   Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about.  She remained in her house, perhaps protected.   Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20).  She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds h...
Post a Comment
Read more

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more

June 19 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 170 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 7-9 & Psalm 15 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 7 Notice the emphasis of God's house having God's name.  It belongs to God, but the people, through their unrighteous actions, have made it theirs.  God's house has been turned into a "den of robbers" (vs. 11).  Remember when Jesus said that (Matthew 21:13)? According to Jesus, what was the Temple supposed to be called? Remember when the people tried to use the ark of the covenant as a weapon against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4)?  That was at Shiloh.  Jeremiah brings that event to our minds again as a sign (vs. 14).  God says that human sacrifice was not his command, nor did it come to his mind.  You'll have to do some wrestling with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22). Jeremiah 8 Jeremiah (God) says to unearth the kings' bones and lay them before the sun and moon and all the other gods they served and worshiped.  Ouch. Even animals ...
Post a Comment
Read more