The magnificence and splendor of the Old Testament temple takes shape quickly as you read about its construction. The engineering necessary to construct God’s temple rivals today’s greatest feats—and perhaps surpasses them.
Who’s really in charge
King Solomon served as the bank, the general contractor, and the primary spokesperson for the temple project. Here’s an amazing fact: “In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel, or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built” (1 Kings 6:7).
Today’s builders are puzzled at how the temple could be erected in such a silent manner. Some of the great and costly stones used in construction were eighty feet long, ten feet high and twelve feet wide. Pillars in the temple were socketed. Rafters were mortised into corresponding beams. All of this hewn, squared and fitted before being transported to the temple site.
There it was hoisted and framed together with a perfect match. The smallest intricacies lined up perfectly. No hammer or any tool of iron was needed for adjustment. How could this be?
God was Solomon’s boss, and the president and CEO of the entire project.
The splendor of God’s temple today
The New Testament tells believers, “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).
God saves you and sets you apart to be a magnificent, living stone in the splendor of his spiritual temple today. He identifies you as the object of his attention, prepares you with chiseling like a stonecutter carefully crafts the temple stone, takes care that the exact proportions are formed to fit you for your purpose, transports you in life’s journeys all toward a destination that he has designed, places you next to other living stones and in a larger section of living stones where you fit best, and allows you to serve and honor his name.
Enjoy this video showing the magnificent design of the temple, and its ultimate purpose to proclaim salvation through the coming Savior, Jesus Christ https://youtu.be/Xt6lQAe8ues.
Prayer
Dear God, you had Solomon build a temple in your name, and sent your Son Jesus to build believers today to be a spiritual temple. Help us to glorify you and bring awe and wonder to your name. Keep us united and strong in the one truth faith. Amen.
Further Meditation
Be sure to enjoy the video posted above, and let it lead you to prayer as you meditate on being God’s temple today. What new insight did you learn about the temple today? About your place in God’s spiritual temple?