| “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building” (1 Kings 6:7). |
| If you read the story in 1st Kings of the building of Solomon’s temple, and the similar account in 2nd Chronicles, you will be amazed at the amount of money and effort that went into the building. It was truly one of the most magnificent and expensive buildings ever constructed. Yet our verse for today tells us that there was something unusual about the way it was built. |
| At present my wife and I live in a subdivision where all the lots have not yet been built on, and from time to time a new house is constructed. We can usually hear the noises of construction — first of all the power shovel digging the foundation; then the noise of the trucks delivering building materials; then the noise of the workmen as they use both hand tools and power tools to do the actual building. There is often the noise of a generator that provides electricity to the power tools. But during the building of Solomon’s temple, it was quiet. Very quiet! |
| All the stone had been quarried before, and was perfectly chiseled to fit, before it was brought into the area where it was to be used. All the wood was cut beforehand, and shaped to fit just where it would be needed. As it says in our verse, no tool of iron was heard in the house. Why was this? |
| First of all, Solomon was to be a man of peace. The house of God was to be “a house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:7), and it was to be a quiet place. Noise and confusion do not favor prayer and meditation. Perhaps Solomon realized this, and asked that there be no noise in the actual building. It is quite possible that Solomon did this out of respect for God’s house. |
| However, there is something more for our hearts. Today souls are being saved, and God is building a house for Himself. We read about this house in 1 Peter 2:5 — “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house.” Every soul that is saved becomes a “living stone” in this house that God is building. This building is also being built quietly. God is not making a lot of noise in this world; rather, the Spirit of God is quietly working among souls to bring them to Christ, and one by one the living stones are being built into God’s house. Soon it will be finished! Are you one of those living stones? |
