Solomon, A Type of What?

[NeitherFirstnorLast]

Amen!

Brothers and sisters, I promised a few days to continue my personal exploration of the book of 1 Kings... and I do not to suggest that what I am seeing is THE truth of the matter, and certainly not to prop myself up as anything other than another brother who is simply fascinated by the Lord's speaking in His Word. No, I wish to continue this journey not alone but in fellowship, that we might all enjoy a portion and share as the Lord leads; all to His glory!

When I last left off (on another thread); I'd gotten to 1 Kings 6:12 - and the Lord's speaking to Solomon there "As for this house that you are building, if you walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will establish My word with you, which I spoke to David your father; And I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel, and I will not forsake My people Israel."

Of this Word from God, I want to further say that for Him, an If/Then statement is very particularly significant. God doesn't make idle threats. He doesn't need to, because He already knows every outcome. If God says If/Then, you're in a lot of trouble - because He's basically saying you are not going to measure up; and that's not His fault. If you were going to succeed, He'd have no reason to give you a warning.

Also note that the only person who ever could and did live up to the standards Jehovah God sets here is Christ Himself; the Son of David who WOULD raise up God's Temple (the Body) - and do so in three days, just as He prophesied. And through Christ God kept this very promise. God here is pointing to the coming efficacy of Christ: "This is what it will take to establish My Word, and ONLY I can do it."

Nonetheless, God's warning falls on deaf ears - Solomon's reaction to these words isn't even apparently worth recording. 1 Kings 6:14 "So Solomon built the house and finished it." (with a shrug?)

The rest of chapter 6 goes on about the details of the temple itself, and the RcV footnotes go on about the significance of each of the details in terms of Christ.... Many other bible commentators don't see this. I must confess I don't either. From what I've seen so far, Solomon doesn't know anything about Christ. He seems to see himself as a kind of Messiah for his people, and glories in himself... But I digress; the point is he had built a very large temple, covered in images of animals, plants, and angels... covered in gold, and worked with bronze. It took seven years to complete(1 Kings 6:38).

In contrast, it took Solomon 13 years to build his own house (1 Kings 7:1) - and then he had built the "Lebanon Forest House" - (getaway cabin?) - and then a house for his wife (the daughter of Pharoah).

As for HOW the temple was built, well, Solomon hired a man who's mother was a Napthalite, but who's father was of Tyre, to cast the bronze for the pillars. This man, named Hiram (in Hebrew: "Exalter of Life, Destroyer") was renowned for his craftsmanship. We have no idea whether or not he was a follower of the God of Israel, but we might suspect not from the attitude he displays at the reward Solomon later gives him). We do know that the vast majority of the workers on this temple certainly were not followers of the Most High God - because it is revealed in 1 Kings 9:15 that it was built with "forced labour", and that this workforce consisted of "all of people that were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites who were not of the children of Israel." 1 Kings 9:20. So Pagans were enslaved to build this Temple. When they finished, the children of these slaves were kept on in perpetual slavery (at least, those whom the "children of Israel were not able to destroy utterly") 1K9:21....

...but I race ahead. Look what occurs now, as the Temple is made complete: Solomon goes to the plains of Jordan to cast the pots and shovels and bowls to be used in service in the Temple; and Solomon summons the elders of Israel and the heads of the tribes to Jerusalem to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah from the City of David, which is Zion (1K8:1). The priests take up the Ark, and it is brought into the Holy Place in the innermost sanctuary. There, apparently, it is opened.

What do you suppose was in the Ark? We all remember what should be there, but look at what is found within:

1 Kings 8:9 "There was nothing in the Ark except the two stone tablets, which Moses placed at Horeb when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt."

What?

Where is the omerful of manna, which the Lord had commanded Moses to keep for all generations:

Exodus 16:32-34 Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’” So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come.” As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved."

Hebrews 9:4 "...This ark contained the gold jar of manna..."

The manna is not here. It is hidden... (Revelation 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna...")

The manna, in type, is the Life Supply of Christ. Christ Himself told us He was the bread of life; Christ was the real manna. Christ is not here.

Where is the budding almond branch?

Numbers 8:10-11 "The LORD said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.” Moses did just as the LORD commanded him."


Hebrews 9:4 " ...This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant."

The almond branch signifies the resurrection life, which having, we will not die. There is no resurrection life here either.

The only thing Solomon brought into the Temple was the letter that kills; but there is no life here. God Himself is absent.


...To be continued...

In fellowship,

Neither First nor Last