Moriah Guitarworks

King David seemed to spend his whole life longing. He was never satisfied with the place he stood. His heart yearned for something that God Himself had given the king to hope for. The meeting place that God had instructed Moses to build was a portable and transient habitation. The children of Israel would move along in the wilderness from camping spot to camping spot. This is sort of like a flock moving around in search for pastures to graze in. We all know that God was leading them and preparing them to enter into the homeland of His promise. God does indeed look upon us as a flock, and He is our Shepherd, the one who knows what we need and leads us firmly yet with gentleness. Anyway, David saw the tent that was used for the time of preparation and moving, and wanted to build for God a house, that was established and unmovable. David longed for the resting place of God’s permanent habitation.

If anything could be said about David, it would be that he had zeal for God’s house. David spent much of his time planning for this building. He would save up money and hire craftsmen to begin construction of the many elements found in its new design. He would wake in the morning and talk to the LORD about each part of the house. David longed to have God’s house to be established as the greatest and most glorious among the nations. He wanted everything about this house to out shine anything else in the world. No expense would be spared in its construction. The most advanced technology would be employed. The most skilled craftsmen would be commissioned, and every piece would be prepared in advance, far away from the site of God’s choosing.

We also know of the story about David, and how he was full of weakness. We are all just like him aren’t we? David would lose control sometimes, and fall prey to temptation. David, I’m sure had a lot of temptation to deal with, he was king after all. Most kings of that time could do whatever they wanted and no-one could resist them. They could have anything they wanted, and so could David, and he knew that. David fell by coveting his neighbors wife, and making matters worse, killed her husband, who was loyal and faithful to him and God. David was caught red handed, and when he was rebuked by God, repented and sought restoration. The LORD did forgive David, yet, there was consequences to his weakness. David would have a very strained family life after that. His sons, now growing were made aware of their father’s shortcomings. There was something broken from the fact that David lost control. David’s sons were not blameless either, they also dishonored God by judging their father. By far, the greatest set back David faced was a decision that God made about this house. David was told that he would not be able to build God’s house. David was going to hand over the task of doing that to one of his sons.

Solomon did follow through, just as the LORD had instructed. The house was built in a miraculous way. It was the very first “pre-fab” structure ever to be assembled. Every stone and timber was pre shaped ahead of time. Every utensil and piece of furniture had been designed and created months and years before the dedication of the house. The Lord commanded that the sound of a hammer was not to be heard anywhere near the site of construction. If you ask me, that would be quite a building site! Legos couldn’t hold a candle to the accuracy needed to build that house.

There was so much gold, silver and bronze used to build this house that it couldn’t be weighed. The whole inside of the temple was overlaid with gold, with imagery hammered into it. Art which the world had never seen before was on display in this house. Angels and all sorts of creatures were designed into this artwork, all to glorify God and to display His manifold greatness. This house was the greatest house ever built by man, and the nations would take notice, that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the LORD of Heaven and Earth. Solomon in deed carried out his commission to build this house. We can read about how as a young king, he cried out to God to help him lead this great nation. Solomon started out with an amazing challenge. He demonstrated the favor and heart to follow through with his fathers vision, and in the end, had his father’s zeal for God’s house. It did turn out quite in a breathtaking way. God’s glory filled it so incredibly that no one could even stand, His cloud was so overwhelming that everyone had to exit from the temple. Solomon was at the altar outside the temple doors, dedicating this place of habitation, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice laid there. Later on, visiting royalty would visit Jerusalem and be awed by the house. The queen of Sheba remarked that the half of it was never told her of its beauty.

Sadly, in the aftermath of many years and generations of kings, the temple was destroyed. God’s people were carried away into exile in a foreign land. They repented there and were restored to their home to once again build a house for God. Somehow, this one was simple in comparison to Solomon’s house overlaid with gold and silver. Later on, a prophet spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and declared that in the last Days: God would restore the fallen tent of David. (Amos 9:11) Later still in Acts15:16 this same prophetic word is spoken. Why would God want to rebuild or pitch David’s tent again? Why didn’t He say “Moses’ tent” or “Solomon’s Temple” ? Surely the temple was more glorious than David’s tent. What was David’s tent anyway?…

(continue to part 2)