30 Apr Who Actually Built the Temple?
Back when there was no temple, King David realised that he lived in a palace, but the ark of the Lord resided in a tent. This was not right, and he desired to do something for the Lord. He wanted to build a temple. Initially it seemed a good idea to both him and Nathan the prophet. But later the Lord spoke to Nathan and sent him back to David with this command.
‘You shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ (1 Kings 8:19)
And so it was King Solomon who built the first temple. Although the heart of David was to prepare for this temple in such a way that in fact the bulk of the work was done by David rather than by Solomon. For example David had plans drawn up for the temple.(1 Chron 28:11) Based on those plans, he stocked supplies for the building. He organised stone and masons. (1 Chron 22:2) He organised iron, bronze, nails, hinges and doors.(1 Chron 22:3) He organised Cedar from Lebanon. (1 Chron 22:4) The Chronicles passage says that he desired the temple to be “exceedingly magnificent” (1 Chron 22:5) and he made ‘abundant preparations.’ He even stored up silver and gold in large quantities for use in the art and decorations of the temple.(1 Chron 28:14)
Not only did he organise the physical construction, he organised the spiritual worship for the temple, planning courses of musicians, and worshippers. (1 Chron 25) He organised the priests and Levites so that they carried out their duties properly. (1 Chron 23-24) He organised a system of gatekeepers to watch over the temple. (1 Chron 26:1-19) He organised the treasury to make sure offerings were properly accounted for. (1 Chron 26:20-32)
Finally after all his plans were in place, he commanded Solomon to build. (1 Chron 28) And he also instructed him as a father in regards to make sure it was done correctly, and with the right attitude. (1 Chron 22:6++)
And so who built the temple? It was the son of David, Solomon. But it was David’s idea, David’s plan and David’s work that made it happen.
And at this point we pause to consider the question at a deeper level. Who is the son of David?
From the New Testament we learn that Christ is the son of David. This is clearly seen on Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into town to shouts of ‘Hosanna, Son of David.’ (Matthew 21:9-11) And while Solomon’s temple is a shadow and a type of spiritual reality, there is a true temple in Heaven, and a true builder of that temple. Elsewhere in scripture we are told that “we are the temple of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 3:16) The NT also says that we are ‘living stones” joined together with Christ as the cornerstone, all built to make a temple. (1 Peter 2:5)
But who is it that builds this spiritual temple? Who is the builder of this true and ultimate reality?
It is Christ who lays the precious cornerstone and starts construction. (1 Peter 2:6) Jesus is the build, and unless the Lord builds the house, our work is in vain. (Psalm 127:1) But the good news is, that we are workers in this house, and we build alongside of Him.
So when Nathan said to David that his son would build a temple….. there was something marvellous and wonderful in that statement that pointed to a deeper thing that the Lord has been doing, is doing, and will continue to do. And WE, God’s people are a part of it.