Nowhere in all of the scripture is, demonstrated, a clearer example of the LORD’s right to do with HIS own as HE pleases, than in the matter of the building of the Temple. David longed to build this temple, as he told Solomon, “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.” (1Chron. 22:7-8)
The LORD made David to be man of war and David slew thousands of the enemies of GOD’s people on various battlefields during HIS life, at the direct command of the LORD. Yet it pleased the LORD to deny him the privilege of building this temple; essentially for doing what the LORD told him to do and directed him in. Quite often men balk at the notion that GOD chooses one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor, yet the LORD has made it clear that HE has the sovereign right to do as HE wills with that which belongs to HIM. “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Rom 9:20-21)
While David was an instrument in the hand of GOD to display judgment upon the enemies of GOD, the LORD would manifest that the building of HIS “house” and the establishment of HIS kingdom would be done by a MAN of peace, which is what the name of Solomon means. So, the LORD JESUS CHRIST has come not to “condemn” but to “redeem”. The government is upon the shoulders of the one who is called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6)
The builder of the LORD’s house was “young and tender”. “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isa 53:2) Nothing about the coming of the SON of David made HIM appear to be the ONE who would be the KING and CONSOLATION of Israel. HE came clothed in, what appeared to men to be, weakness. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isa 53:3)
Yet this TENDER PLANT has grown into a mighty TREE which has spread its branches over all the earth. “His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.” (Hos 14:6-7)
David said that the house which was to be built for the LORD had to be “exceeding magnifical”. Of course, we know that the earthly Temple which Solomon constructed was indeed the most opulent and magnificent edifice of its time. Yet that “true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Heb 8:2) is far more magnificent than any edifice ever raised by mortal men since the ONE who occupies its throne is, “such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” (Heb 8:1) Solomon was magnified by the glory of the temple which he constructed but that ONE who is greater than Solomon is the glory of that house of which HE is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE. “The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.”(Rev 21:22-24)
Time and words would fail us to describe the wonders and beauty of this “exceeding magnifical” house which the Great and Wise MASTERBUILDER has seen fit to establish. Its glory exceeds that of the sun, moon, and stars and its breadth covers the earth, sea, and sky. For the ANCIENT of DAYS, has come down from the Glories of Heaven to construct a house which is “an house of prayer for all people.” (Isa 56:7)
It is indeed “of fame and of glory throughout all countries”. Even as John saw in his vision, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:9-10) This is that House against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, because it is washed in the blood of HIM who is the GREAT HIGH PRIEST over the house of GOD, having obtained eternal redemption for all who are privileged to enter therein according to HIS everlasting covenant. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Act 2:39)
This was a house which was “prepared abundantly”. Before the foundation of the world was ever laid the LORD had prepared a House (or kingdom) for HIS people, which HE loved in CHRIST and elected as the people of HIS choice. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Mat 25:34) “Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Heb 11:16)
The LORD prepared a people to enter this house with great desire. “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? “(Rom 9:23-24) HE has “prepared them” first of all by ordaining them to eternal life before the foundation of the world. But then secondly, HE prepares them by sending HIS SPIRIT to awaken them from the deadness of sin giving them life. No man can or shall desire a dwelling place in the presence of the LORD except those HE has “prepared” for it by this “new birth”. The evidence of this “birth” is a broken and contrite heart which HE will not despise.
HE has prepared a “feast of fat things” for those whom HE loves. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1Cor 2:9-10)
Most importantly HE has prepared HIMSELF a SACRIFICE for the sin of HIS people. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” (Heb 10:4-7) “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.----For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb 10:10-14) Whereas David “prepared abundantly before his death,” the LORD “prepared abundantly” by HIS death.
mam