April 29, 2006 - I Kings 6-7 and Luke 20:27-47
The Temple was a magnificent building. Solomon did a wonderful job of making it beautiful, and it was worthy of God's glory. We ought to do anything we do for God in a quality way. However, I hope you won't get bogged down in the details about the Temple as you read this passage. Did you notice the other things that were recorded for us here? I believe those things are the key to understanding God's truth for us today.
In chapter 6 we read about how Solomon set out to build the Temple. He used his great wisdom to do it well. Then, at the beginning of the work God's Word came to him. (v.11) God's Word did not deal with the design of the building or with the materials. God focused on obedience to His commands. In other words, God was concerned about the inward quality, while Solomon seemed to be focusing on the outward quality. That is always a mistake. We should put the priority on the inward spiritual quality of out lives instead of the outward display. That is the only way to stay right with God. He looks at the heart, not on the outside.
Chapter 7 confirms what I am saying. It took 7 years to build God's house, the Temple. It took 13 years to build Solomon's house. Then, we are told that Solomon's house was much bigger than God's house. Finally, we read that Solomon included an entire hall for his wife, Pharaoh's daughter. Even though Solomon was trying to be faithful to God and to build a house worthy for him, he was missing the most important things. He was being selfish. He was doing things like the world did them. Even though He did well in building the Temple, he was losing His way with the Lord. What a tragedy! However, it happens all of the time. People put their focus on coming to church and on how they dress. They forget their hearts. They forget the inward part of their relationship with God. They ware setting themselves up for a fall. We must keep the focus on loving obedience to God.
Luke 20 shows us some similar truths. The Scribes and Sadducees were concerned about who someone would be married to in heaven. In fact, they were really showing their doubts about God's Word. Instead of trusting God's Word, they were trying to trick Jesus. Instead of loving Him, they were trying to hurt Him. They were focusing on the outward things that did not matter. Jesus set them straight. He tried to show them that He was God. (v.42-43) However, they did not want to listen. Therefore, He warned His disciples about them. He told them that they were all about an outward show, but they were lacking the inward obedience. He told them that they would receive a greater punishment, because they should have known more. If that was true for them, it is 10 times more true for us today. We have every advantage to know God's will and to do it. If we focus on the outward and miss His will, we will receive a greater punishment than even the Scribes.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 8-9 and Luke 21:1-19.
In chapter 6 we read about how Solomon set out to build the Temple. He used his great wisdom to do it well. Then, at the beginning of the work God's Word came to him. (v.11) God's Word did not deal with the design of the building or with the materials. God focused on obedience to His commands. In other words, God was concerned about the inward quality, while Solomon seemed to be focusing on the outward quality. That is always a mistake. We should put the priority on the inward spiritual quality of out lives instead of the outward display. That is the only way to stay right with God. He looks at the heart, not on the outside.
Chapter 7 confirms what I am saying. It took 7 years to build God's house, the Temple. It took 13 years to build Solomon's house. Then, we are told that Solomon's house was much bigger than God's house. Finally, we read that Solomon included an entire hall for his wife, Pharaoh's daughter. Even though Solomon was trying to be faithful to God and to build a house worthy for him, he was missing the most important things. He was being selfish. He was doing things like the world did them. Even though He did well in building the Temple, he was losing His way with the Lord. What a tragedy! However, it happens all of the time. People put their focus on coming to church and on how they dress. They forget their hearts. They forget the inward part of their relationship with God. They ware setting themselves up for a fall. We must keep the focus on loving obedience to God.
Luke 20 shows us some similar truths. The Scribes and Sadducees were concerned about who someone would be married to in heaven. In fact, they were really showing their doubts about God's Word. Instead of trusting God's Word, they were trying to trick Jesus. Instead of loving Him, they were trying to hurt Him. They were focusing on the outward things that did not matter. Jesus set them straight. He tried to show them that He was God. (v.42-43) However, they did not want to listen. Therefore, He warned His disciples about them. He told them that they were all about an outward show, but they were lacking the inward obedience. He told them that they would receive a greater punishment, because they should have known more. If that was true for them, it is 10 times more true for us today. We have every advantage to know God's will and to do it. If we focus on the outward and miss His will, we will receive a greater punishment than even the Scribes.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 8-9 and Luke 21:1-19.