Here is a small lesson about the temple of God. Many people know that a Christian’s personal body serves as a ‘temple of God’, as Jesus promised that God would come and live with us who believe (John 14:23). But God is interested in more than just dwelling in us individually. He wants to dwell among us as a united group.
When it comes to temples in the bible, first there was the Tabernacle, a portable worship center complete with altars and candelabras and collapsible walls. That would eventually be replaced by Solomon’s Temple of Jerusalem. But even that great building was replaced by another temple, the one being built not by humans, but being comprised of humans… this is the temple we are helping to build for the Lord, described in:
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.
We step into this week celebrating You, Father, who comes to make Your home with us;
We celebrate You, Jesus, through whom we become acceptable to the Father;
We celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who is building us into a spiritual house;
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.
“Him” in Exodus 31:3 is Bezalel, who would help craft precious metals, stones, and wood to be used for worship in the Tabernacle (worship area) which God commanded to be built.
Gifted by the Spirit, he glorified God and blessed God’s people through use of his knowledge, time, and talents. That same Spirit of God lives in all believers and gives us special skills, abilities, and knowledge also – making us craftsmen like Bezalel. We are called, not to build a temple of precious metals, stones, and wood, but a temple of people precious to God.
Pray that the Holy Spirit helps your spirit to understand this calling (and for you to live it out).
Amen.
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work…”
At Solomon’s coronation as king, his father David tells him to “do the work” of building God’s permanent temple in Jerusalem. David prayed for his son and the work; David prayed for the people of God and their role in that work; then he called everyone to praise God. Then – it was time to “do the work”! what does it mean for you to “do the work” of God personally? And what does it mean to you for God’s people to “do the work” of God collectively? Ask God and give some thought to what He might put on your heart and mind.
Lord, I pray [insert your prayer here]
Amen.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you”
Could there be potential discouragement when doing the work of the Lord, when building His church? Could there be fears of not being up to the task? Duh – yeah… That’s why David reminds his son Solomon that he need not be afraid or discouraged, because the God who blessed David is also with him. And the God who blessed David is also with us.
Lord God, my God, let Your promised presence help me to persevere in difficult or discouraging times. I want to become whatever You have desired of me as Your child. It is my honor to honor You in my daily life as I love and serve others in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“He will not fail you or forsake you…”
We may fail, we may falter, we may get off-track, but God will not fail, and God will not forsake us. This isn’t just David speaking for a one-time event, it is also Paul speaking (see 2 Timothy 2:13) and Jesus speaking (see Matthew 28:20). The first temple’s successful completion would be dependent on the faithfulness of God. This “living stones” temple described in 1 Peter 2 is also dependent on the faithfulness of God.
Father God, help us to remember that, as we do the work of God, it is Your faithfulness that makes fruitfulness of our work. Thanks for letting us be a part of building your kingdom. In King Jesus’ name,
Amen
“the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God”
Priests and the tribe of Levi (Levites) were the dedicated, full-time temple assistants of the Old Testament, assigned as such by God himself (Numbers 3:5). They were collectively known as “the priesthood” and considered owned by God. And did you know that 1 Peter 2 calls Christians “the royal priesthood” – meaning that all of us are now considered dedicated servants for building His “living stones” temple – not just the local pastors and staff that serve at the church facilities. Let’s finish with these words from an old kids song:
The church is not a building where people go to pray
Its not made out of sticks and stone,
its not made out of clay;
No, we are the church, the body of our Lord
We are all God’s children and we have been restored.
Be the church; love the church; serve the church; build the church – in Jesus name.
Lord, I pray [insert your prayer here]
Amen.
... every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work.
You’ve got to love this line: “every willing man…will help” That’s the real deal here. We are all gifted, skilled in some fashion, knowledgeable -- and there is plenty of God-work to be done – so the real question is: Are you one of the willing ones? If you are willing, God will make a way.
Lord, grant me a willing spirit… [insert your prayer here]
Amen.