Read: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33
It took Solomon almost twice the time to build his house than the Lord’s house. His house consisted of the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon, a huge hall, a court of justice, his own personal house and a house for the queen from Egypt. Of all the 600 wives that Solomon eventually had, he only built a house for the Pharoah’s daughter from Egypt. She was one of the greatest causes of his backsliding and his downfall.
I found it interesting that the king of Tyre would be half Phoenician and half Israelite. He came to Jerusalem and used his artistic gift to craft the metal work for Solomon. It had to take him years away from his kingdom to do this for Solomon.
In Acts, Stephen is still giving his sermon and it picks up with Moses at the burning bush. Moses chose to follow God and face the rejection of his people who complained and fought him at every turn. They rejected him and went back to Egypt in their hearts. Even with the tabernacle and God’s presence with them, they chose to worship the stars and Molech and idols. So God promised to send them into exile in Babylon.
He took them all the way to Solomon building the temple and explained that God never wanted a physical temple but a spiritual one.
Stephen was building his case against the religious leaders in showing them their stand all through the ages. They refused the Lord and his ways and now had a law unto themselves that totally rejected God’s son and didn’t recognize his presence among them.
Lord, may we recognize your presence with us and follow after your ways.
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