Today's Scripture
King Solomon sent to Tyre and brought Hiram…a skilled craftsman in bronze. Hiram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work…(1 Kings 7:13-14)
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 1 Kings 7:13-14, 40-45, 51
13 King Solomon sent to Tyre and brought Hiram…a skilled craftsman in bronze. Hiram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him…
41 the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars; the two sets of latticework decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars; 42 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of latticework (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars); 43 the ten stands with their ten basins; 44 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it; 45 the pots, shovels and sprinkling bowls.
51 When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.
What does this passage mean to me/us
Chapters 5 & 6 of 1 Kings describe Solomon finalizing plans and beginning to build the temple to honor the Lord and to house the Ark of the Covenant.In Chapter 7 we see how King Solomon completing the interior detailing and furnishings. The great builder and craftsman, Hiram of Tyre was engaged to bring his skills on even the lamp stands, decorative pomegranates and bowls. No detail was too small to receive the full attention due! And no cost was too large.
In recent years Stephanie and I have been blessed in visiting Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Israel, visiting many ancient churches along the way. Some were national treasures, others were smaller parish churches. But each one was notable for the great attention to detail in every part of the sanctuary…floors, walls, ceilings, columns, windows, doors, artwork, colors, and light and shadow. Those details testified to the faith communities that built and sustained them!
But while Solomon’s focus was on the building, I also believe that he was also giving the people an example for personal living as God’s chosen people.
The nation of Israel had received the 10 Commandments and Mosaic Law during the 40-year Exodus from Egypt. The question remaining was how they would honor their part of the covenant day by day. Would they be satisfied going through the motions or be intent on building personal temples in their inner lives that were beautiful and inspiring to others also be faithful to God? Would they understand that no details were too small and no cost too great.
I believe we still must wrestle with the same questions today in our inner lives as Christians, striving to build a strong foundation for our lives that will stand the test of time. But also paying attention to the smaller details, our daily activities, loving the people around us, our patterns of speech, feeding our spiritual needs, observing and glorying in God’s creation and the grace of Jesus Christ at work all around us. Living out those small details in Your light turns plain lives into beautiful ones! – contributed by Larry Dickenson
Prayer
Dear Lord
In the beginning You created the world, imparting Your touch on everything, and declared it to be “very good”! By Your Holy Spirit, touch every part of my life, all the details, that they become fully dedicated to You, testifying to Your glory, for all around me to see.
In the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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