BUILDING ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN

Wednesday, 10th August 2016

2 Chronicles 3:1-17 (NKJV)

Now Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where theLord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

2 And he began to build on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.

3 This is the foundation which Solomon laid for building the house of God: The length was sixty cubits (by cubits according to the former measure) and the width twenty cubits.

4 And the vestibule that was in front of the sanctuary was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the height was one hundred and twenty. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.

5 The larger room he paneled with cypress which he overlaid with fine gold, and he carved palm trees and chainwork on it.

6 And he decorated the house with precious stones for beauty, and the gold was gold from Parvaim.

7 He also overlaid the house—the beams and doorposts, its walls and doors—with gold; and he carved cherubim on the walls. …

The privileged king Solomon is now set to build the temple, to replace the tabernacle which had existed since the days of Moses. God warned Moses to build the tabernacle according to the pattern He showed him on the mountain (Ex. 25:8-9, 26:30). God is a detailed God. Whoever is privileged to work for Him must do things His way. Solomon understood that being God’s chosen to build the temple is a privilege. Little wonder he said “who I am then that I should build him a temple …” (2 Chron.2:6).Hence he was careful, and built to the exact specifications he was given (2Chron. 3:1-3), using choice materials – the wood, metals, stones, clothes. Solomon must have learnt the detailed attributes of God from his father David and the Pentateuch (Books of Moses).

Has God given you a ministry, vision or assignment to do for Him? How careful are you in going about it? Remember, God’s work must always be done in God’s way, according to His specifications. If not, you are out of the line and carrying on your own agenda, not God’s; therefore, you should not expect a reward from Him. God is awesome, so give Him your best – time, money and all you have. Remember: His way, not your way.

Prayer: Lord give me the grace to build according to the pattern.