Four hundred and eighty years after the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, construction finally starts on God’s tabernacle. This project will take seven years of skilled labor and the world’s finest materials to complete.
You see Solomon wanted to do his very best as the Lord directed him through this process. Painstaking detail was paid to every part of this structure. Those involved knew that their labor was for God’s glory and not their own.
By keeping in mind that they were laboring to please the Lord, the quality of work never suffered. No one cut corners or hid mistakes, because this was for God Almighty. They gave their best, as they each individually felt accountable and they were. (Guess what, so are we.)
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Another principle we see displayed in this passage jumps out at us in verse 12 “Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:”
God explains to Solomon that no matter how amazing the work is, if the heart isn’t right, then it’s worthless. Let’s not confuse our service to God with our devotion to God. He is much more concerned with our hearts, than our labors.
Let’s remember who we represent and do our very best in everything we do, no matter how mundane.
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
1 Kings 6