Read 1 Kings 7:13–51
Questions from the Scripture text: Who brought whom from where (1 Kings 7:13)? Who was his mother (1 Kings 7:14)? Who was his father? With what was he filled? What did he cast in 1 Kings 7:15? What were their dimensions? What did he make in 1 Kings 7:16, with what dimensions? What did he make in 1 Kings 7:17? What did they adorn? What else did he make for the pillars and capitals (1 Kings 7:18)? What shape and size were the capitals of the hall pillars 1 Kings 7:19, cf. 1 Kings 7:22)? How many total such capitals were there (1 Kings 7:20)? Where did he set up the two (1 Kings 7:21)? What were their names? What did he make in 1 Kings 7:23, of what shape and size? What decoration was below the brim in what arrangement (1 Kings 7:24)? Upon what did the sea stand (1 Kings 7:25)? How thick was the material of the bowl (1 Kings 7:26a), what was its shape (verse 26b), and what was the volume of the bowl (verse 26c)? What else did he make of what dimensions (1 Kings 7:27)? What was their design (1 Kings 7:28-32)? What were their wheels like (1 Kings 7:33)? Its supports (1 Kings 7:34)? Its top (1 Kings 7:35)? How else was it decorated (1 Kings 7:36)? How different were the carts from each other (1 Kings 7:37)? What else did he make 10 of, and of what size (1 Kings 7:38)? Where did all of these go (1 Kings 7:39)? What else did Huram make (1 Kings 7:40)? What did he make altogether (1 Kings 7:42-45)? Of what? Where did he make them (1 Kings 7:46)? How heavy (1 Kings 7:47)? What did Huram’s bronze objects complete (1 Kings 7:48)? What were the various items all together (1 Kings 7:48-50)? What was finished (1 Kings 7:51)? What did Solomon bring now, and where did he put them?
The bulk of this passage (1 Kings 7:13-47) concerns the work of Hiram. The NKJV translates his name “Huram” even though it’s spelled just like the king’s name. This is probably to differentiate him from King Hiram of Tyre, and as 1 Kings 7:14 shows, he really couldn’t be more different. His daddy was a skilled bronze worker, but not royalty or a warrior. His mother was a Naphtalite widow who went and married outside of Israel—not a spiritually recommended thing to do, especially considering that the very wealthy port city of Tyre is closely identified with rampant wickedness throughout much of Scripture.
But none of this really mattered. The necessary thing was that he be “filled with wisdom and understanding and skill.” This reminds us of Bezalel and Aholiab (cf. Exodus 31:1–3; Exodus 36:1) and the fact that all true wisdom and skill (in the regenerate and unregenerate alike) comes from the Holy Spirit. There are no coincidences, and it was the Lord Who had coordinated this for this house that would point forward to Christ’s infinitely glorious dwelling as God with His people.
The bulk of the passage is spent detailing (and there are so many details!) the work that Huram was brought in to do. Intricacy is matched here by immensity. The two twenty-seven-foot tall pillars get most of the press, but the twelve-thousand-gallon “sea” is nothing to sniff at either.
Why include such monumental (literally) pillars, with such intricate capitals, if they aren’t part of the load-bearing structure (1 Kings 7:21)? Why set the sea up on the backs of twelve bronze oxen (1 Kings 7:25)? Even though we’ve moved away from such architecture and agriculture, we still have phrases that help us understand. “She’s a pillar.” “He’s an ox.” And the pillars’ names communicate the same: Jachin (“Yahweh has established”) and Boaz (“strength”). If I can write this reverently, “Yahweh is the load-bearing structure of His people.”
This goes back to the original plan for the temple. In 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:13, 2 Samuel 7:16, the Lord had used “Jachin’s” same root verb for what He would do with David’s throne. The house that Solomon built would not last forever, but the Lord would establish a kingdom and temple in Christ that would indeed be established forever. Jachin!
If you are a believer, then you now know that your life is hidden with Christ in God (cf. Colossians 3:1–4). Your inheritance cannot be diminished, defaced, or stolen (cf. 1 Peter 1:3–5). The Name that you pray about will most certainly be hallowed; the kingdom that you pray about will most certainly come; the will that you pray about will most certainly be done. The temple of Christ’s body was destroyed, and He rebuilt it three days later (cf. Mark 14:58, Mark 15:29; John 2:19–22). There it now sits upon the throne of glory. Here it will soon return. And the dwelling place of God will be with His people (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:3). Jachin!
What circumstances in your life seem chaotic and unstable to you? Why and how can you have stability in strength instead? By what practical means can you embrace this stability and strength?
Sample prayer: Lord, You established something far more wonderful and strong than Solomon’s temple. You have established Yourself as our temple, our stability, and our strength in Jesus Christ. Forgive us for when we look to things below for purpose or power, and grant unto us that life that is from above by the ministry of Your Spirit, in Jesus Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP122 “I Was Filled with Joy and Gladness” or TPH164 “God Himself Is with Us”
No comments:
Post a Comment