ESOCS Devotional 8 March 2023
TEXT: 1 KINGS 6:1-14
MEMORY VERSE: “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.” 1 Kings 6:12 NIV
Great and long preparation had been in the making for the building of the temple, and here, at length, comes an account of the building of it; a noble piece of work it was, one of the wonders of the world, and taking in its spiritual significance, one of the glories of the Church.
God speaks thus, partly to encourage him to proceed in his work, and partly to purge out pride and vain glory. Therefore, He expresses the condition upon which His promise and favour is suspended; and by assuring him thereof in case of obedience, he plainly intimates the contrary upon his disobedience.
“If thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them”; even all the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial; and this respects not only Solomon personally, but his successors, and even all the people of Israel: then will I perform my covenant with thee, which I spake unto David thy father; by Nathan the prophet; not only that he should build a house for God, which should be a settled dwelling place, but that his own house and kingdom should be established for a long time to come, and his posterity should enjoy the presence of God in this house, provided regard was given to the precepts and ordinances of the Lord (2 Samuel 7:12).
The eternal establishment of the throne of David involved the dwelling of God among His people, or rather is founded upon it. This dwelling of God is now to receive a new and lasting realization. The temple is to be a pledge that the Lord will maintain for His people His covenant of grace and His gracious presence. In this respect the promised, “I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel, and not forsake my people Israel,” is a confirmation of the word, that Jehovah had spoken to David, although, so far as the actual words are concerned, it is more closely connected with Leviticus 11, when the highest blessing attendant upon the faithful observance of the commandments of God is summed up in the promise, “I will make my abode among you, and my soul will not despise you.”
- Are you willing to observe the commandments of God?
- Gracious Father, give me the grace to do your will and to attract your covenant blessings in Jesus’ name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Exodus 4:18-31; Mark 2:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 8 March 2023
