This chapter records the temple's furnishings in great details. I tried to read between the lines, trying to ponder about questions like why this particular material, or design, or man? But I am unable to reach any conclusion. It would perhaps require greater in-depth study for questions like those.
In any case, probably we can still talk about the lavishness of the temple and its intricate details as a whole. Why did the Bible records such intricate details about the temple? Don't it remind you of Noah's ark and how God has specifically instructed Noah to build the ark according to the given dimensions? Perhaps this similar record of the details of the temple serves to bring out this point again - that the house of God should be built according to God's specific dimensions? So applying to today's situation, the Church should also build itself up according to God's teachings and commands, which is in the Bible.
But something else was prompting me that it isn't really the same as the case of Noah's ark. Firstly, God has not exactly given instructions to Soloman on these exact dimensions or materials to use, right?
Had a mini-discussion with a brother and this is what we gathered. It may be that God is still pleased with the lavishness of the temple, and that is why it is given a place in the Bible. Building a really grand church for God when we can afford the resources does reflect how much we esteem the house of God and I am sure God accepts this kind of offering. However, at the end of the day, I think God is neutral about such material lavishness.
Let us look at what was God's response to Soloman after the temple was dedicated.
1Ki 9:8
"And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and will hiss, and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?'
My NIV version goes like this, "And though this temple is now imposing, all who pass by...". I hope I am not making a superficial analysis here, but what I seemed to gather was that God kind of didn't care about the luxuriance of the temple. He did acknowledge its grandeur, but He reminded Soloman that at the end of the day, it is the people's hearts that matter.
As long as they kept their hearts towards God, God will be with them. But once they turn their hearts away to serve other gods, God will "cut off Israel from the land which (He) have given them; and this house which (He) have consecrated for (His) name (He) will cast out of (His) sight."
So, at the end of the day, though God may be pleased with the grand building we dedicate as a house of God, He is really looking for the spiritual lavishness that we can offer up to Him.
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