1 Kings 6

What a difference 480 years can make! God took His people out of the wilderness, gave them a land, and established them under a wise and powerful king. Now that king would dedicate himself to the building of a temple to the Lord in the place that God had chosen.

The house that Solomon built for the Lord was impressive, but God was not seeking an impressive building for Himself. He sought an obedient King leading a faithful people in accord with His holy commandments. A consecrated people would make a more glorious temple for the Lord than anything that Solomon could construct.

Solomon's temple followed the general pattern that God had given for the earlier tabernacle, only grander to the eyes of men. But what are the Lord's eyes searching for? God looks for one life completely devoted to Him in love. This one life would be His Most Holy Place, the Cornerstone of a living temple of people dedicated to the Lord.

The temple in Jerusalem would be a ceremonial holy place for Israel as the Lord waited for the coming of the one Man of perfect obedience. That one Man would be greater than Solomon's temple, and would make the only safe way for us to be with God forever. We would find our communion with God in Him.

Solomon's temple, like the tabernacle that came before it, would be adorned with images of heavenly beings. The temple that Jesus would build would secure for us eternal access to a renewed and purified resurrection kingdom, the new heavens and earth, where we will abide with our God in perfect righteousness forever.

Solomon was seven years in building the temple. Though men sought to tear down Jesus forever, He built up a new resurrection temple of the Lord in just three days, as He had promised. He is the Father's house for us. As He told us in John 14:2, “In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.” We find our rest in Him. He is our dwelling place.