Devotional - July 20, 2004

Solomon is known as the builder of the first Temple in Jerusalem. This beautiful building was fashioned after the desert Tabernacle that housed the Ark of the Covenant. Not only was it a place where the presence of the Lord dwelled, but it was used by the Israelites to offer sacrifices and watch for God's movement.

Most of us are aware that in Egypt, Pharaoh conscripted the Israelites to do the manual labor under the whip of harsh foremen. But, when we think of the glorious Temple that was the splendor of the world and the pride of God's people, we seldom think of what was required to construct it.

The United States of America has deployed it's military forces all over the globe. So vast is the number of people in the armed forces, every new threat that requires soldiers draws the nation closer to (re)employing a system of conscription called the "draft." For years, the military need has been met by willing volunteers who signed up to fight for promised future benefits, but today the employment of conscription again seems inevitable.

I still remember the draft lottery of the 60's where according to a young man's eligibility, he was given a number. When his number was randomly picked, he was given a physical examination, trained quickly in battle techniques and then sent to Vietnam to fight an unpopular political war. Conscription has proven to be a way to force a less-than-willing man, and now a woman, to do something for the good of his or her nation.

The reputation of Israel rose to incredible heights under Solomon. The nation prevailed in war under his father's rule and then enjoyed forty years of peace under his own. The building projects inspired by David and delegated to Solomon utilized over 150,000 men to construct a worship center, a palatial home for the king and a stable with 4,000 stalls for his horses.

The life of an able-bodied man under Solomon's rule was hard. We know this because his son Rehoboam eluded to it when, as king he decided to make life even harder for the people who served his father (See 1Ki 12:10-15). The people rebelled under Rehoboam but they willingly became slaves to Solomon in order to do a work for God that still inspires today. For certain the work was hard, but a certain price beyond the cost of gold and marble was paid by the sweat and blood of those who did the work.

Today, we the church of Jesus Christ are a temple more glorious than Solomon's and as the body of Christ, each one of us is a part of it. (1Co 12:27) But are you working to build this Temple through sweat and blood or are you benefiting from the work of others without even a desire to lay a single brick?

Today, I encourage everyone of us to look again at our obligation to Jesus. While it is true we cannot work to earn our salvation, God should not have to conscript us to serve the family. Instead, we should do so willingly with joy in our step, not to fulfill a obligation but to show our gratitude for including us in the blueprint of His eternal temple called the church.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 2 Ch. 1:1-3:17 Rm. 6:1-23 Ps. 16:1-11 Pr. 19:20-21 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society