A task too great for man alone

2 Chronicles 2

Solomon’s purpose in life was to build the temple of God (1 Chr 28:5,6), the same way each one of us has a specific purpose of God to fulfil in our lifetime. For Solomon it was clear because it was prophesied. His father, David had prepared for the building of this magnificent temple with the understanding God had given him through Prophet Nathan; (1 Chr 28:6; 2 Sam 7:12,13). “… thy seed after thee…he shall build an house for my name…”

I would like to draw a few issues from this passage trusting the Lord to bless it in our hearts and minds.

A great work: A great house for a great God “Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God… “ vs 4-5. God does not dwell in physical temples as Solomon himself acknowledged in vs 6 “But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?” Because the house or temple would bear or reflect the name of God (vs 4) it must have a magnificence or glory that is ‘proportionate’ to God. It is not an ordinary house; it is a house for God. The work therefore is a great work! (1 Chr 29:1; 2 Chr 2:5). Solomon’s temple was a shadow of another temple that another seed of David after him would build. Christ is building another temple and He himself is the cornerstone Eph 2:20; a holy temple in the Lord Eph 2:21 and a habitation of God through His Spirit Eph 2:22. Unlike Solomon’s temple which only reflected the name of God (even though God’s glory filled it) and could only endure for a while, this will be eternal and God will dwell there 2 Cor 6:16. May we then ask as Solomon did, ‘Who then can build this temple?’ A physical temple like Solomon’s was too small to contain God, a spiritual temple is beyond human conception, who can build it?

But God has expectations of each one of us and calls us to partner with Him in building this temple. “and the whole body depends on him. All the parts of the body are joined and held together, with each part doing its own work. This causes the whole body to grow and to be stronger in love” Eph 4:16.

There are three or four expectations of God from us that lead to growth of His temple. Let me briefly highlight them:

              – Dependence on God– Each one of us must be under the control of the Holy Spirit. It is only when we are in this state that God can use us to accomplish this great work and we are able to uniquely contribute to the advancement and expansion of God’s Kingdom in the world.

              – Unity and oneness– We must always work toward unity and oneness of the body. Forgiveness and reconciliation are always necessary tools that help us to attain these chief ends without which the Holy Spirit cannot continue to function or operate in us. Eph 4:3. But without Him (Holy Spirit) what can we accomplish on our own?

              – Unique contribution– You have a unique work that contributes to the growth of the temple (Body of Christ). As every worker has his or her own implements, God by His Spirit has given you and I gifts that will help us to function in the Body for her growth. God is expecting that you will use your gifts and ministries for the advancement of His work. Remember, the Body grows as each member does its work…

              – Love as the motivation– There is a strong force that binds the children of God together and it is love. John 13:34-35, the Lord said to us, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Every (spiritual) work that is done without love is nothing and means nothing.

In the ongoing work of enlargement that God has tuned us into, I would like you to consider and evaluate your purpose and place in the building of God’s Temple. May you be a living stone in God’s building. Amen.