After all of David's planning, Solomon gets to build the temple. God didn't want a warrior building a house of prayer, though the warrior certainly had a purpose to God's plan. There was now peace in the land....
The beginning of the temple starts 480 years after God delivered his people from Egypt.....it is the fourth year of Solomon's reign. The temple is built with dressed stone, which means there is no hammering or chiseling at the site. This will be a more permanent structure for God's presence than the the tabernacle....If the people follow God's law, His presence will stay with them. Note that this is a conditional promise....the people have to DO SOMETHING (obey).
Do you realize now, that we can approach God on our own as believers (trick question, believers in what)? There is no need for a high priest to go to the Holy of Holies......Jesus is our High Priest...we can approach God's throne boldly ON OUR OWN....aren't you glad you live on this side of the cross?
Solomon worked with Tyre because the Isrealites worked agriculture very well...they didn't know the craftsmanship or materials like Tyre did. A trade agreement was organized. The lumber from Lebanon is supposed to be exceptional. Do you see where Lebanon is on the map? Major Middle East.......Did you note that Solomon worked with "forced labor" (see 5:13)...should be interesting. My NSRV points out that this has some foreboding since forced labor was the issue with the Isrealites in Egypt. My NIV is favorable to Solomon and points out that it is great that he worked with a rotation system so that people could be with their families which is a bigtime value. Should be interesting to see how this plays out.
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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your trick question......we can approach God on our own as believers of Jesus, the son of God, and that He gave his only son for our sins....believers in the Holy Spirit....believers in the word of God (the Bible).....and that Jesus will come back for us....
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I am wiping a tear from my eye because I am so proud of you...:-)
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