1 Kings 7 & 8: The Glory Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (8:11) So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
1. Gold (7:1-51)
And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the showbread was, (7:48)
King Solomon hired many craftsmen from Tyre, such as Hiram, one of the outstanding craftsmen, to assist him in not only the construction of God’s house which took him 7 years, but also his own house which took him 13 years. The houses, in particular God’s house, including the altar, pillars, lattices, basins and furnishings were beautifully and elaborately constructed and covered with gold, that people from all over the world visited Israel to admire the beauty of these houses, and also to hear God’s Word from Solomon. Indeed, whatsoever we do, let us do our best, as we have only one life. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
2. Glory (8:1-27)
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? (8:27)
After Solomon had brought God’s ark into the holy place of His newly constructed house, and after the priests who brought it in had left the place, His glory immediately filled His entire house. Solomon then prayed to God before Israel, and worshipped and praised Him for who He was, and what He had done for them, and confessed that even His own house could never contain Him. Solomon and Israel offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep as sacrifices to God, and dedicated His house in His own name. This was the zenith of the entire history of Israel, even until today. The only time that Israel shall surpass this zenith is when after the Rapture (All Christians shall be caught up with Christ in heaven), and the 7 years of Great Tribulation (Satan shall rule the world and torture the people), that Christ shall return, and cast out Satan to hell for 1,000 years, and rule the new earth during this period known as the Millennium, before finally God release Satan, and destroy him and all who rebelled against Him forever in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20)
3. Good (8:28-66)
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. (8:56)
Indeed, every promise of God is good, and if He spares not His own Son, Jesus Christ, shall He not freely give us all things to enjoy? And if God is for us, who shall be against us? Let us claim upon God’s promises, and reflect upon His goodness, grace and glory, knowing that one day we shall give an account of all our works before Him. (Romans 8)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always live to reflect Your goodness, grace and glory.