Bible Passage:  1 Kings 6

1 Kings 6 illustrates how Solomon built the temple of God. The entire chapter describes the specific details of every measurement in every space and corner of the house of God.

“Now the house which King Solomon built for the Lord, its length was sixty cubits, its width twenty, and its height thirty cubits. The vestibule in front of the sanctuary of the house was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the width of the vestibule extended ten cubits from the front of the house.” — 1 Kings 6:2-3

 “The lowest chamber was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide; for he made narrow ledges around the outside of the temple, so that the support beams would not be fastened into the walls of the temple.” — 1 Kings 6:6

“…he built side chambers against the entire temple, each five cubits high; they were attached to the temple with cedar beams.” — 1 Kings 6:10

Those were the few examples of how detailed the temple was structured and designed according to God’s instruction. Every materials used, every cupid of measurement, as well as the overall architecture of the temple were, in this chapter, described in substantial details.

From this chapter, it simply tells me that God’s house is the place that should reflect the sovereignty and glory of God Himself. It is a place filled with the Word, Truth, and the Holy Spirit. These are also part of the precise measurement — the essential materials needed to build God’s house. Therefore anyone who tries to do something different not only to God’s word, but also to these ingredients needed to build the house of God, has to face God’s judgement in the end.

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” — Revelations 22:18-19

By keeping the Lord’s commandments and walking in His way glorifying Him, God promises protection and preservation the same way He assured Solomon and the Israelites.

“Then the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying: “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” — 1 Kings 6:11-13

Besides keeping God’s laws and commandments, the foundation of the temple has to be built (1 Kings 6:37). In the physical realm, it took Solomon four years to build the temple’s foundation. In the spiritual realm, time is therefore needed for us as well as new believers to be grounded in the faith. The beginning part of our journey into building God’s house in our heart is always a crucial phase. We will meet several challenges and also, our faith foundation has to be strong. Like the temple of Solomon, some of us may require more time and guidance in building a strong foundation.

To build a strong physical foundation requires many labourers, but to build a steady foundation in our faith requires the guidance and support of brothers and sisters in Christ. We can never grow our faith alone; that is never in God’s will for us to do that. This is the reason why He places us in his house, the Church.