Vol.5, No. 05 – February 23, 2020
Leadership in a Time of Crisis
Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, and a royal palace for himself –2 Chronicles 2:1
There is a history. David, a patriot, soldier, writer, and diplomat gave the people the boon of a unique capital. Jerusalem. Now they needed a center for worship. A center where the people could come and worship Jehovah, who was present in the nation. David does not have permission to build a temple for God. However, there is another who will build and draw people to Almighty God.
That is in steep contrast to today’s culture in our country. Each year, the worship of Almighty God slides further from the expected. People are attempting to replace God with their own gods. Far too few people recognize their obligation to gather in worship each week. However, this is what becomes of a nation attempting to replace God – with recreation, sports, cruises, shopping, and scads of leisure activities that become more comfortable and demanding to a culture bent on self-worship.
People even worship their technology — their laptops, iPhones, iPads, iPods, air pods, and on and on. Did you notice the frequent uses of “I”? Culture demands people be “I” centered–iCentered people on their iPhones, iPads, iPods, centered on themselves.
Solomon, chosen for the task of leadership, chooses a site in the heart of the city. It is the rugged summit of Mount Moriah. This will not be an easy build. However, leaders under God’s hand, move forward with their best for the people. According to 1 Chronicles 28:19-20, Solomon is clearly instructed for what is about to be his charge.
All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan. Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”
Every part of the blueprint, given from the hand of the Lord; a costly project ensues.
>230 million dollars in gold
>50 million dollars in silver
>800 tons of bronze
>4600 tons of iron
>Huge quantities of onyx, precious stones, and costly jewels
>Tons and tons of marble
>Huge investments of human capital
There were great trunks of cedar and cypress trees sent rushing down from the heights of Lebanon by schleppage (“slang” for moving with great effort). All this came to be bound in large rafts for transport through the river and on to the coast of Joppa. Then these trees were dragged with enormous work, for 35 miles up rocky and steep roads. To Jerusalem.
Approximately 153,000 workmen, in seven years, finished Solomon’s Temple, the Temple of the Lord. It is a forum, fortress, university, and a sanctuary for the Jewish people. The building is not actually architecturally rich, it was somewhat a common type of build: 90′ x 35′ x 45′. However, it is a home for God in the midst of His people. It is not made to be a cathedral of glass to impress people. It is not a stadium for a Billy Graham rally, or a meeting place for Congress.
Donna and I took a trip to India. While we did not visit the site, it is the site of the Taj Mahal. That building took 22 years to complete. History shows that 300,000 workmen spent 20 years to build an Egyptian Pyramid. One Pyramid took 200 years of construction. Artemis’ Temple in Ephesus took 400 years just to furnish it. History also shows Westminster Abbey being under construction for 500 years.
It is amazing what man will do to build buildings that are made for man, and yet this simple place for worship, with complete functionality, was constructed under the leadership of one of God’s choosing, in just seven years. Solomon was at the task of building the nation as a people of God—the center of their life.
This is awesome — God’s Temple, built in majestic silence. It is a house of stone. One stone on the Wailing Wall is 38′ long and 7′ high. Stones, carved in the quarries, in correct size before being transported – amazing. No hammer, no axe, no tool of any kind was to be near the Temple in its building process (1 Kings 6:7).
A strong leader, a follower of Almighty God; just what the nation of Israel needed. This person, God supplied. A leader is not always respected by the people. Some wanted power, and sought his failure. However, Solomon moved forward with the task.
How are we faring with the leadership God ordains for our country, our nation? If Solomon was running for President of the U.S., as a Republican, he would already be scheduled for impeachment before taking office. In addition, not one candidate running for President appears to be a person seeking the wisdom of God in their every life decision. Sad.
Life Application
Over 2500 years ago, the Temple building is finally complete. However, where is the Temple of God? Is the Temple in our stuff? Is the Temple where it belongs? Paul writes of the place of the temple. It is within us. That is, in the very heart and soul of the believer. It is necessary for a leader. Did you know that every person is the leader of someone?
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. –1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Leadership in a time of crisis is always available—if we would but ask our Almighty God!
