When Blessing Becomes a Problem
Solomon's aspirations for the Temple of God are admirable. He uses the best materials and the most sacred style of construction to send a message to the nation and the world that the HOUSE of the Lord deserved the highest priority.
Sadly, the story of Solomon takes a sad turn just after the details of the Temple's construction are finished. Notice how the text quickly moves on to discuss Solomon's work on his own home and several others adjoining buildings for himself plus his queen's own residence in 1 Kings 7. The first hint at the problems occurs with the last verse of 1 Kings 6 and the first verse of 1 Kings 7:
1 Kings 6:38–7:1 (ESV) And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it. 1 Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.
There is a tendency for those who work hard for the Lord to imagine they have earned something for themselves that goes beyond the normal commensurate pay and/or reward for regular work. That because our particular work was sacred, surely the reward we receive should be greater. Perhaps that is what prompted Solomon almost doubling the time he spent on God's house while building his own house.
What is more, while you read 1 Kings 7, the details are astonishing in their descriptions with homes and rooms that today's modern style magazines would envy. Solomon literally followed the Pottery Barn catalog plan before the Pottery Barn catalog was a thing.
1 Kings 7:4–5 (ESV) There were window frames in three rows, and window opposite window in three tiers. 5 All the doorways and windows had square frames, and window was opposite window in three tiers.
1 Kings 7:8 (ESV) His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.
Sadly, the story of Solomon takes a sad turn just after the details of the Temple's construction are finished. Notice how the text quickly moves on to discuss Solomon's work on his own home and several others adjoining buildings for himself plus his queen's own residence in 1 Kings 7. The first hint at the problems occurs with the last verse of 1 Kings 6 and the first verse of 1 Kings 7:
1 Kings 6:38–7:1 (ESV) And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it. 1 Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.
There is a tendency for those who work hard for the Lord to imagine they have earned something for themselves that goes beyond the normal commensurate pay and/or reward for regular work. That because our particular work was sacred, surely the reward we receive should be greater. Perhaps that is what prompted Solomon almost doubling the time he spent on God's house while building his own house.
What is more, while you read 1 Kings 7, the details are astonishing in their descriptions with homes and rooms that today's modern style magazines would envy. Solomon literally followed the Pottery Barn catalog plan before the Pottery Barn catalog was a thing.
1 Kings 7:4–5 (ESV) There were window frames in three rows, and window opposite window in three tiers. 5 All the doorways and windows had square frames, and window was opposite window in three tiers.
1 Kings 7:8 (ESV) His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.
1 Kings 7:10–11 (ESV) The foundation was of costly stones, huge stones, stones of eight and ten cubits. 11 And above were costly stones, cut according to measurement, and cedar.
Now the rest of the chapter will describe Solomon's efforts for the temple furnishings and we should note his commitment to providing the best of the best for God's house. But this again is the tragic temptation of working hard for God - you develop an entitlement spirit about yourself.
Don't get me wrong. Solomon's blessings were good! They were God's gift to him. It is perfectly fine for God's leaders to be wealthy and successful. But these blessings can become a problem when we start to give MORE time and energy to their maintenance and development than to the Lord's work. And consider that Solomon's downfall will be filling that house with both horses and women from other nations - a complete disregard for the Word of the Lord. Solomon's coming downfall has already been sown into through his love for women and horses, now it is sown in his own home.
Blessings can be a problem for many successful people. No, we are not called to absolute poverty for poverty's sake. There is nothing noble about that. But we do well to remember Jesus' warning that our HEARTS will be where our TREASURE is (Matthew 6:21). We must learn the contentment of God. We must delight ourselves first in His work for the sake of partnering with Him, not rewarding ourselves.
This kind of life leaves a legacy for those who come after us - which is another reminder that what we have is not really for us. In the end, Solomon's house is enormous and yet scripture barely mentions it and history has forgotten it. The Temple of God, however, is still alive and well in His Church - the lasting structure Christ Jesus Himself is building today. Give yourselves to it and you will contribute to a truly lasting home.
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