1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,200 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and he said, Lord God of Israel, 2 00:00:05,880 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: there is no God like THEE in heaven above or 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 1: on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy 4 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:17,440 Speaker 1: servants that walk before THEE with all their heart. First 5 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 1: Kings eight twenty three. My God, as I enjoy the 6 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: vastness of your glory and splendor, I will be mindful 7 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: to continue building the business, ministry, department, company, and family 8 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: that you've called me to build. As I build, I 9 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: will make sure that, like Solomon, I will construct my 10 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: life off of your blue print and the blue print 11 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: or specifications you've set for others. When the temptation comes 12 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: to play it small or hold back from giving my all, 13 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 1: I will look to to day's reading in First Kings 14 00:00:56,280 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: and Second Chronicles to remind myself that you deserve nothing 15 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 1: less than my best. So today I commit my all 16 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:11,479 Speaker 1: to you. I declare that you will receive nothing less 17 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: than my best in all that I do. When excellence 18 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: seems to be out of reach, I declare that you 19 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 1: will bring the right people into my life to elevate 20 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 1: everything that I touch. I acknowledge that whatever I build 21 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 1: will serve as a monument to you and your glory. Therefore, 22 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: I will not stop until the world sees the beauty 23 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: and splendor of what You've placed inside of me. In 24 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: Jesus name, thank you for making prayer a priority in 25 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: your day. To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned 26 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 1: for today's story, brought to you by Bible in a 27 00:01:54,160 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: Year dot com. 28 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 2: Solomon builds a temple for the Lord. In our last story, 29 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 2: we peered into the dreams of Solomon. God asked him 30 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 2: to request anything and it would be answered. Instead of 31 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 2: asking for riches, long life, or victory, Solomon asked for 32 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:28,519 Speaker 2: wisdom and a kind heart to lead his people. God 33 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:31,520 Speaker 2: granted this to Solomon and gave him more than he 34 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 2: could have ever asked for. Now we see Solomon putting 35 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 2: his wisdom to good use as he seeks to build 36 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 2: the Great Temple of God. Inspired by the Book of 37 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 2: First Kings and Second Chronicles. 38 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham with the day's episode of 39 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 3: the Bible in a Year. In our previous episode, we 40 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 3: heard how God appeared to Solomon in a dream and 41 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 3: offered to give him whatever he desired. Than ask for 42 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 3: riches or long life, Solomon asked God to give him 43 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 3: wisdom and discernment so that he could lead God's people. Well. 44 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 3: This pleased God so much that God promised not only wisdom, 45 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 3: but wealth, fame, and prosperity. Today we'll learn how Israel 46 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 3: experienced a time of great peace and celebration, something they'd 47 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 3: never really had before. And in this new era, Solomon 48 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 3: the Wise King was set about accomplishing the vision his 49 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 3: father David had to build a great house for the Lord. 50 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 3: So let's listen now to today's word. 51 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 2: It was a time of peace in Israel. The Great 52 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: Warrior had vanquished many of Israel's enemies. As a result, 53 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 2: Solomon had the privilege of building alliances, trade routes, and libraries. 54 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 2: Conflict was replaced by communication. Bloodshed was replaced by brotherhood, 55 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 2: so much so that when it came time for Solomon 56 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 2: to begin building the Temple of God, he had the 57 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 2: aid of other nations. King Hiram of Tire offered up 58 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 2: his cedar beams in Cyprus from Lebanon, as well as 59 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 2: men to aid in construction. All was falling into place 60 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 2: for Solomon, and the spirit of God was pleased with 61 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 2: his work. Springtime waltzed into the land like a joyful song. 62 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 2: Solomon and his work force had worked day and night 63 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 2: unto the Lord. The sun was gentle and the breeze 64 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 2: was kind. Spring flowers bloomed in an array of colors 65 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 2: and smells. It had been four hundred eighty years since 66 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,919 Speaker 2: the people of Israel were delivered out of slavery, and 67 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,839 Speaker 2: for the first time, Israel began to feel permanent. The 68 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 2: people watched as the massive temple was built before them. 69 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 2: This was a symbol of their freedom. Solomon looked up 70 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 2: at the temple. The sun reflected off of its roof. 71 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 2: Beautifully nearly finished, Solomon could finally step back to appreciate 72 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 2: the work. God spoke in the coolness of mid day, saying, 73 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 2: remember what this temple means. Obey me and I will 74 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:07,480 Speaker 2: fulfill my promise to your father. I will live among 75 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 2: you and will never abandon you. Solomon closed his eyes 76 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:16,480 Speaker 2: and took a deep breath. He was content. Solomon stepped 77 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 2: inside the temple to finish the interior. The entire inside 78 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 2: was paneled with fine cedar. The floors were smooth cypress. 79 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 2: The inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, was at the 80 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 2: far end of the temple. It was thirty feet deep 81 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 2: and its walls were carved with immaculate floral designs. The 82 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 2: entire interior was then overlaid with solid gold, and gold 83 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 2: chains protected the entrance. Two fifteen foot cherubim were made 84 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 2: of wild olive wood and placed there in the inner sanctuary. 85 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 2: Their wingspan spread across the room valiantly. Palm trees, flowers, 86 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 2: and gold filled the hallways, and the double doors were 87 00:05:56,960 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 2: pure olive wood. Finally, after seven years of planning, building 88 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 2: and refining, the Temple of the Lord was complete. It 89 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 2: stood as a beacon of hope and sanctuary to all 90 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 2: who entered Israel. Solomon stood in the temple courtyards in 91 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 2: awe of the temple's beauty. He turned back towards the 92 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 2: main entrance and watched as the priests of Israel raised 93 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:22,720 Speaker 2: the Ark of the Covenant and brought it into the temple. 94 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 2: The entirety of Israel gathered for a festival and watched 95 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 2: as the presence of God filled the temple. In an instant, 96 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 2: the glorious presence of the Lord came upon the Holy 97 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 2: of Holies like a cloud, and the priests stood in wonder. 98 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 2: Solomon fell to his knees before the temple. People stood 99 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 2: and watched as their king bowed before him. No king 100 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 2: in the land ever bowed to anyone. Yet Solomon would 101 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 2: bow to God, for it was God who was above all. 102 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 2: Solomon looked to the heavens and said, here you are, Lord, 103 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 2: your permanent home. He then rose to his feet and 104 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:03,840 Speaker 2: turned to the people. He raised his hand before them, smiled, 105 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 2: and declared, Praise the Lord, Praise the God of Israel. 106 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 2: It was my father's greatest wish to build this temple, 107 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 2: but war kept him from building it. But here it is. 108 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 2: The crowd erupted in cheers. Shouts of joy and praise 109 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 2: filled the skies. Solomon burst into laughter as he spoke, 110 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 2: tears streamed down his face. He looked to heaven again 111 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 2: and said, there is no one like you in all 112 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 2: of heaven or on earth. Please keep your promises to us, 113 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 2: by your unfailing love, carry out your promises. We know 114 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 2: that there is nothing that can contain you, not even 115 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 2: this temple. But we ask that you meet us here. 116 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 2: Solomon placed his hand on the altar and spoke to God. 117 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 2: God would continue to meet with his people in the temple, 118 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 2: although not even the vastness of the temple could contain him. 119 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 2: As for Solomon. His wealth and influence would expand beyond 120 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 2: any king in the East. His poetry, philosophy, and theology 121 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 2: would be sought after by princes and nobles from far 122 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 2: off lands. Peace filled the land, God filled the land. 123 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 2: Although struggle awaited the people of Israel, they enjoyed their 124 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 2: moment of bliss and the glory of their God. 125 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 3: As we begin today's lesson, the Kingdom of Israel is 126 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 3: reaping the benefits of David's many battles. Solomon rules over 127 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 3: a nation that, rather than engage in battles with its neighbors, 128 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 3: is forming alliances and establishing trade. It was an era 129 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 3: of hope and prosperity, and Solomon knew that the time 130 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 3: was right to begin building God's Temple. His father had 131 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 3: wanted so badly to build the House of God, but 132 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 3: was prevented from doing so because he had blood on 133 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 3: his hands. He had been a man of war. Though 134 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 3: God had prevented David for accomplishing the task, he promised 135 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 3: that his son would build the temple. So now, in 136 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 3: the fourth year of his rule, Solomon began to fulfill 137 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,680 Speaker 3: that vision. Because of Israel's alliances with neighbors and the 138 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 3: peace they were experiencing, Solomon was able to enlist labor 139 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 3: and materials from other nations. King Hiram of Tire sent 140 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 3: the best seedar in cypress woods to begin the construction, 141 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 3: along with laborers who worked alongside of Solomon's own men 142 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 3: to erect the temple. And what an impressive temple this 143 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:29,600 Speaker 3: would be. It was so much more than just a building. 144 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 3: It was a symbol, a sanctuary for the people, a 145 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 3: sign of God's presence and their freedom, a freedom that 146 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 3: God promised and delivered to them. It was a precious thing, 147 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 3: but the people and Solomon needed a reminder not of 148 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 3: what it symbolized, but who it was for. So God 149 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 3: spoke to Solomon, saying in First King six verses twelve 150 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 3: and thirteen, concerning this house that you're building, if you 151 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 3: walk in my statues and obey my rules, and keep 152 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 3: all my commandments and walk in them, then I will 153 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 3: establish my word with you, which I spoke to David, 154 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 3: your father, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, 155 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 3: and will not forsake my people Israel. God is a 156 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 3: holy father. He knows his children, and he knows that 157 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 3: these children of Israel needed to remember him in the 158 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 3: newfound prosperity that they had been given unless they once 159 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 3: again turn away into their own desires and interest and 160 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,839 Speaker 3: even idols. As impressive as it was from the outside, 161 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:38,839 Speaker 3: this temple was even more so on the inside. Filled 162 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 3: with gold and finest wood in the best craftsmanship, it 163 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 3: was truly a home befitting the most High God. And finally, 164 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 3: after seven years of building, the Great House of the 165 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 3: Lord was completed. God's presence, the Ark of the Covenant, 166 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 3: was brought into the temple. All that was left to 167 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,680 Speaker 3: do was to celebrate this momentous occasion with a great 168 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 3: that's stable. God displayed his awesome presence by entering the 169 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 3: Holy of Holies like a cloud. The people and the 170 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 3: priest were filled with wonder and awe. Solomon then bowed 171 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,840 Speaker 3: before the Lord, demonstrating that he was just an earthly 172 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,319 Speaker 3: king and that the one true King, the one worthy 173 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 3: of praise and submission, was God Almighty. It was something 174 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 3: truly amazing for a king to do, as no other 175 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 3: nations king would dare bow to another. But Solomon, like 176 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 3: his father, understood that God was above all and worthy 177 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 3: of all praise and adoration. In humility, he asked God 178 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 3: to come and meet his people in that place, the 179 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 3: house that he had built for God. He also knew 180 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 3: that the temple, though great and glorious, was not enough 181 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 3: to contain God's greatness. One day, God's presence would come 182 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 3: in an even more remarkable way, opening the door for 183 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 3: him to dwell not in a house of gold and cedar, 184 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:03,600 Speaker 3: but in the heart of man. Dear God, thank you 185 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 3: for this powerful passage of scripture, for your presence in 186 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 3: our lives. Just as you in dwelt your temple so 187 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 3: long ago, May we now the temple of your spirit 188 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:18,560 Speaker 3: be a sanctuary for your presence. Lord, Fill us with 189 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:24,079 Speaker 3: your spirit that we might live for your glory in Jesus' name. Amen. 190 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 191 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download thepray dot Com 192 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 3: app and make sure that prayer and Bible reading is 193 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:39,119 Speaker 3: a priority in your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, 194 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 3: let someone else know, share it with someone you love, 195 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 3: and let's get the Word of God out to many 196 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 3: many people. And if you want more resources as to 197 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 3: how you can learn and live the Christian life, be 198 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:56,840 Speaker 3: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham 199 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 3: dot org.