Chapter 347 of 1163

2 Chronicles 2–4

The plans for both the temple and the tabernacle were given by God; in both projects, the people were permitted to share their gifts. There was one difference: God’s Spirit equipped two Jewish men to make the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exod. 31), but an artisan from outside Israel supervised the construction of the temple. Had God’s Spirit failed to equip anybody for the task? Or was that another one of Solomon’s ways to build strong bonds with his neighbors?

At least his motives were pure: he built the house “for the name of the Lord” (2:1). He used the best materials (“pure gold,” “fine gold”), and he laid a good foundation (3:3). The apostle Paul surely had Solomon’s temple in mind when he wrote 1 Corinthians 3:10–17.

The pillars (3:17) in God’s spiritual temple, the church, are dedicated people who serve Him devotedly (Gal. 2:9). Are you a pillar, or must you lean on others?

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