Preparations for Building the Temple

                                                                        1 Kings 5:1-6

 April 21, 2021

 

 Preparations for Building the Temple

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David.   And Solomon sent word to Hiram,   “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet.   But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.   And so, I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’   Now, therefore, command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servant's such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

I often wonder, if today the children we raised will value the relationship of their parents.  We live in such a time of the urgent taking preference over the important, if our children do not take time to spend seeking after the Lord, and spending time in prayer and in His word, do you believe they will care to put a value on friends of their parents.

 

My wife of many years who is an amazing lady, has a love for cats, but do you understand, cats are at best fickle, they care only for themselves.  I often wonder if my generation's desire to give our children the best has produced children with the same nature as cats.  Let me share an account, a lady calls a large church  Vacation Bible School, and they have about 1200 little ankle-biters; we refer to them as precious children running everywhere.  A young mother calls the church, to inform them she is running late and wonder if they will wait to start till her child gets there, in that she does not want him disappointed.  That is not a fictional account, it happened, and unlike Solomon, who valued as a child his dad and those who loved his dad.  Unlike a child who has a mother who is so self-centered to expect a request this foolish, will have a hard time in a world that is all about getting what it wants. 

 

Now, King David was not a great dad, but Solomon's mother must have taught her son to value the things of God and to remember those who value and loved his dad. 

Note: to the few who are teaching their children, to value the things of God, to understand He is a good and loving Father that unlike our parents will always listen to them.  Will discipline His children when it is required, and guide them to love their neighbors as themselves.  But He never punishes His children, for He took his full wrath out on His One and only Son, Jesus Christ, for your sins and mine.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice