Please click here to listen to the audio and click here to view this message.
CEDARS FOR SOLOMON. I Kings 5:1-10. 05/01/2022. #12.
1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, because he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved David. 2 Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: 3 You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. 5 And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.” 6 Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians. 7 So it was, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people! 8 Then Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: I have considered the message which you sent me, and I will do all you desire concerning the cedar and cypress logs. 9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you indicate to me, and will have them broken apart there; then you can take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by giving food for my household. 10 Then Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress logs according to all his desire.
1. A time to build
a. David had wanted to build the Temple, but God refused for David was a “man of blood” (I Chronicles 28)
a1. David fought many wars and killed many men
a2. David was disappointed not the build it
a3. David began collecting material for the Temple, so his son could build it
b. God has different tasks for different people
a1. We may want to do a particular ministry, but it might not be ours to do
a2. Acts 21:4 Paul = not to minister in Jerusalem
a3. Romans 12:4-6 the Spirit determines the gifts and the tasks (Acts 8)
c. Solomon’s ascension to throne marked a change
a1. The end of turmoil in David’s household
a2. End of wars (peace on all sides)
a3. End of rivalries and divisions
a4. Unprecedented prosperity
a5. Solomon makes preparation to build the Temple
2. Lebanon lumber
a. King Hiram of Tyre and David were friends
a1. Hiram was impressed with Solomon’s reputation
a2. Solomon sent him a request to purchase lumber
b. Cedar and Cyprus trees grew in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, peaking at Mount Herman (9200+’)
a1. Cedar was a valued building material, but expensive since they grow slowly and prefer altitudes between 4,000 and 9,000 feet
a2. Cyprus was valued in ship building
c. Hiram agreed to have his loggers (Sidonians) cut and transport trees as rafts down the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa for the temple
d. Solomon paid 20,000 kors (3205 bushels or 30,000 gal.) of wheat + 125 gallons of pressed olive oil annually
e. Solomon plans to build a great house for the Lord
a1. If Solomon builds the house to honor the Lord, his motives would be laudable
a2. If the temple became a testimony to Solomon’s great achievements than it would be
a corrupt endeavor
3. For the Lord or for me
a. It is important, whether in evangelism or a great project or building something for the Lord, that God will receive all honor and glory
b. Christian endeavors are never about the glory of the leaders and workers involved in it
c. Something dedicated to the Lord must be for usage for the Lord alone
a1. God determines what honors him
a2. To do a work in our own way to honor God pollutes the work (Aaron’s sons)
d. Solomon and Israel had to keep the purpose of the Temple in mind at all times
a1. Jesus twice drove money changers out of the temple (Matthew 21)
a2. Ezekiel was shown the idol worshippers in the temple and the glory of God depart
from it (Ezekiel 10-12)
a3. The temple of the Lord was not a lucky charm protecting sinful Judah (Jeremiah 7)
e. A building, cross, altar, Bible, or sanctuary has no mystical power (tools for use or corrupt)