The beautiful carvings of cherubim, palm trees and flowers, overlaid with gold in Solomon’s temple, bring the precious thoughts of righteous government, fruitfulness, and beauty before us. Even the floor of the temple was overlaid with gold. Then there were folding doors at the entry of the oracle, for, as we have already remarked, it is not the thought of approach to God (in the book of Kings) but rather of responsibility. Solomon failed in this responsibility, and in spite of all the glory that was seen in his clay, nothing could be, or will be, established on that ground. It will be on the ground of pure sovereign grace through Christ and His work, as is brought out figuratively in Chronicles.
The building of the temple took seven years, but Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house. It would appear that here Solomon failed — he devoted more time to his own house than to the house of the Lord, and his wives afterward turned away his heart.
There is, however, the thought that in Solomon’s own house we have a type of the Church in her place of association with Christ, for man’s failure always brings out in greater clearness the matchless grace of God. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:2020Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20). The greatest work of God’s grace is the bringing in of the Church as the bride of Christ, just as the bringing in of Pharaoh’s daughter (a Gentile, and black too) must have been a marvelous thing in the eyes of Israel and of all.
The house of the forest of Lebanon is mentioned here also, and brings before us the glory of Solomon’s reign in a particular way, for the cedars of Lebanon, as we have noticed previously, speak of the greatness of man. Also we read that Solomon built a house for Pharaoh’s daughter like “the porch of judgment” for his throne. Christ as man will reign over the earth and judge righteously; man in Christ will be exalted even above the angels in that wonderful millennial day. (1 Corinthians 6:2, 32Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:2‑3) and Hebrews 2:5-135For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:5‑13).) The Church will be associated with Christ in this glory. Everything about the temple spoke of Solomon’s glory in a marvelous way. (Psalm 29: 9.)
Again we read of the great stones, the costly stones, and the hewn stones used for the foundation. Some of them were fifteen cubits long. What tremeous stones they were! God delights to remind us of the amazing grace that picked us up and gave us a place in glory with Christ. Solomon built the temple so that not a stone was seen, and yet it is interesting to notice that even the disciples became occupied with the stones of the temple and showed them to the Lord when He was here upon earth. (Mark 13:1, 21And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (Mark 13:1‑2).) They did not lay hold of the grace which they typified, but would boast of the greatness of the temple, even while the nation was rejecting Christ — the only one who could bring in the grace and glory of which the temple was a figure. The Lord Jesus had to tell them that “there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Everything that is of the first man must come to naught, for man in a position of responsibility could never obtain blessing on that ground. The stones must be hidden, the gold must shine! And so today, if you and I are in communion with the thoughts of God, we will not exalt man, but the Lord Jesus Christ.
ML 01/01/1956