What does Solomon's use of "large, costly stones" teach about honoring God? Scripture Focus 1 Kings 5:17 — “And the king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones.” Setting the Scene Solomon is preparing the foundation for the LORD’s house. Nothing ordinary or cheap will do. The very floor beneath the priests’ feet is fashioned from “large, costly stones.” Why? Because the God who will dwell there is worthy of the best. Key Observations about the Stones • “Large” — impressive in size; visible evidence of honor. • “Costly” — expensive, labor-intensive; a deliberate investment. • “Foundation” — hidden once the building rises, yet essential. What This Teaches about Honoring God 1. Give God Our Best, Not Leftovers – David modeled this before his son: “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). – Malachi rebuked priests who offered blemished offerings (Malachi 1:8). – Large, costly stones shout: “God deserves excellence.” 2. Honor Begins Below the Surface – The foundation stones disappear from view once the walls go up, yet Solomon still spares no expense. – Genuine worship is often unseen—motives, private obedience, hidden integrity (Matthew 6:4). 3. Sacrifice Demonstrates Value – Cost confirms worth. Lavish expenditure on God’s house reveals that His presence outranks silver and gold (1 Chronicles 29:1-5). – True honor moves believers to invest time, talent, and treasure in ways that may never bring earthly applause. 4. Excellence Reflects God’s Character – The temple’s grandeur mirrored the splendor of its Occupant (Psalm 96:6). – Pursuing quality in work, worship, and service aligns with “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). 5. Enduring Materials for an Enduring Testimony – Massive stones resist erosion; centuries later, fragments still testify. – A life built on costly obedience bears witness long after we are gone (Hebrews 11:4). 6. Foreshadowing Living Stones – Believers are now “living stones…built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). – The Lord continues to select, shape, and set costly stones—people redeemed at the price of Christ’s blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Practical Takeaways • Examine offerings of time, effort, and resources—are they “large and costly” or convenient scraps? • Invest unseen energy in spiritual foundations: prayer, study, holiness. • Pursue excellence in every task as a statement about God’s worth. • Remember that sacrificial giving today becomes enduring witness tomorrow. Solomon’s stones still speak: the God who laid earth’s foundations merits nothing less than our finest. |
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