TEXT:

‘That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord’ (Isaiah 61:3)

THOUGHT:

Recently reading how Solomon built the temple, I noticed certain trees were used in its construction.¹Jesus said, ‘I will build My church.’² The bible also says, ‘You are the temple of the living God.’³ How the trees ended up in the temple can help us understand our position and function as part of God’s temple. There are five things I want to highlight about the types of wood used.

• It was Chosen

Google search reveals over 60,000 species of trees in the world, yet only five were chosen for building the temple.

Cedar – for walls and roof supports. Cypress – for floors and doors. Olive – for the Cherubim, doors and doorposts of the Most Holy Place. Algum or Almug – for steps and instruments. Acacia – for the Ark of the Covenant.

Everything in Solomon’s temple was brand new except the Ark of the Covenant. God does not change. Make sure that whatever you are building has God in the midst!

Different woods were chosen for different positions and functions. Jesus said, ‘You did not choose Me, but I have chosen you.’⁴ Peter wrote, ‘You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.’⁵

• It was Cut

It had to die to be useful. The Bible says, ‘We were buried with Him (Jesus) through baptism into death.’⁶ Our old life has no place in God’s temple, only the new life in Christ. The Bible reveals three main reasons for cutting.

1. Usefulness – to be made into something.

2. Fruitfulness – to increase the yield through pruning.

3. Deadness – to remove the dead branches or even the tree itself.

• It was Carried

It could not get into position by its own power or efforts. It needed someone. The felled trees in Lebanon were lashed together and floated down the Mediterranean coastline to Joppa and transported to Jerusalem.

There is something wonderful and necessary about the God element. Jesus said, ‘Without Me you can do nothing.’⁷ This is why he told the disciples, ‘Wait in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.’⁸

The divine leading is accompanied by the divine enabling, so Peter could say, ‘Why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’⁹ Paul wrote, ‘I planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase.’¹⁰

Never forget that seventy-five percent of “Good” is “God” and that is the right ratio when it comes to “Good Works”. God needs us to do them but we cannot do them without Him!

• It was Crafted

The wood was cut again, then shaped and even engraved. The wall panels and doors were etched with cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. Something was put into the wood that was not there already. Paul wrote, ‘I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.’¹¹ These scars became trophies he won because he was counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of the Lord Jesus.

We have to be fitted into God’s plans and purposes, shaped to fulfil our calling. We are like “wild olive trees” grafted into the tree of life.¹²

• It was Covered

All the wood was covered with gold. Not a single piece was seen. In fact only the builder knew what wood was underneath. The Bible says, ‘That no flesh should glory in His presence.’¹³ This is why our righteousness, which is like filthy rags, can be turned into the righteousness of Christ. ‘Our life is hidden in Christ with God’¹⁴

Many do things to be seen. Jesus said their only reward is that they are seen. Those, however, who do it secretly or not to be seen (their giving, praying and fasting) are rewarded openly.¹⁵

The only wood not covered was the costly Algum which was used to make two things; steps in front of the temple and instruments.

1. Steps

It is a rare quality when people can walk all over you and yet you retain your usefulness to God and stay in position. When you are willing to help people into God’s house. This is a position of humility and humble believers are of great value.

2. Instruments

If covered with gold it would destroy the sound. Here is another great quality few possess, those who are gifted to lead worship, seen but not proud. Believers who are able to inspire meetings through prayer, praise and worship. Such are of great value and speak of the worship the Father is looking for.¹⁶

Finally, the wood did not have a choice where it would be positioned in the temple. That was decided by the master craftsmen. The same type of wood was used prominently and in the background. It mattered not where, it was enough just to be there! It’s the same with us. ‘God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation’ (1 Corinthians 12:18 AMPC).

Endnotes:

¹ 1 Kings Ch 6 & 2 Chronicles Chs 4-6                        ² Matthew 16:18         ³ 2 Corinthians 6:16

⁴ John 15:16                 ⁵ 1 Peter 2:9                ⁶ Romans 6:4               ⁷ John 15:5

⁸ Luke 24:49                ⁹ Acts 3:12                   ¹⁰ 1 Corinthians 3:6     ¹¹ Galatians 6:16

¹² Romans 11:17-24    ¹³ 1 Corinthians 1:29    ¹⁴ Colossians 3:3          ¹⁵ Matthew 6:1-18

¹⁶ John 4:20-24