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1Ki 6:1-3 “But Everything Should be Done in a Fitting and Orderly Way”

[Study Aired September 23, 2021]

1Ki 6:1  And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
1Ki 6:2  And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.
1Ki 6:3  And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.

We are each called to “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” Christ has been sealed by the Father to be the author and finisher of our faith (Php 1:6) so that we can bring forth fruit through Him (Joh 15:5) that will remain (Joh 15:16). We are brought into remembrance that “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

That’s the confidence that we have through Christ who is building this temple we are (Psa 127:1) that he “shall give unto you“, and we must continue to fight a good fight of faith (1Ti 6:12) and hold fast onto our crown (Rev 3:11) that we are not to cast away as we continue to believe that God does hear us if we ask “anything according to his will” (1Jn 5:14-15, 1Jn 4:5-8). God’s will is that the bride be made ready, or said another way, that the temple be made ready, of which Solomon’s temple is a type and shadow of (Rev 19:7).

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. [The temple will be built “even in troublous times” (Dan 9:25-27)]

The ‘devil’ or “the ‘serpent’ was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made” (Gen 3:1) and his goal is to draw us away from the obvious power and workmanship unfolding in the lives of God’s people, and he won’t succeed, although he will persist and be at the door of the elects’ heart from start to finish to try to do so (2Co 11:3, Rom 8:38-39, Gen 4:7, Joh 19:2, Heb 12:4, Jas 4:7, Luk 12:18).

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity [‘singleness‘] that is in Christ.

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Joh 19:2  And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Luk 12:18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

The temple that the Lord is building through the body of Christ requires that we “love one another” and that love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God, and so when we love one another it will be demonstrated by the fruit of obedience in our lives which is how we will come to know the Father and the Son in each other (Joh 13:35, Joh 14:15, Joh 17:3, Joh 14:20). That love will require that we bear each other’s burdens even as we do, and all of this building ties into our study today entitled: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way”.

That is the NIV version of that verse, reminding us that the temple of God that we are is fitly framed, “the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love”(Eph 4:16). As God’s children we are led by his spirit that bears witness that we are his sons and daughters, as that order manifests in the church “according to the effectual working in the measure of every part (Jas 5:16), maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Rom 8:14-16, Eph 2:19-22, Col 1:24).

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

This section of Kings, like all the bible, was written for the elect’s sake to help us see the order in God’s plan as we labour together as fellow labourers who must be about our Father’s business (Luk 2:49, 1Jn 4:17) of working out our own salvation with fear and trembling knowing that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”(Php 2:12-13).

Luk 2:49  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1Ki 6:1  And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.

There is a specific time in our walk if we are called and chosen in this life to be among those few who endure until the end (Mat 22:14) that God begins to “build the house of the LORD“.

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

The number 480, “four hundred and eightieth“, is a signified number which tells us that the whole body of Christ is called out of Babylon to become a new creature by putting off the flesh as we are circumcised in our hearts by coming out of her my people (2Co 6:17, Rom 2:28-29, Lev 12:3).

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Lev 12:3  And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

There could be no building of the Lord’s temple while Israel was in Egypt which is an earlier type of Babylon, until “Israel were come out of the land of Egypt“, seeing there is no stay of bread or water there to make that growth occur (Isa 3:1).

Isa 3:1  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

It is also significant that it was “in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month” that Solomon began to “build the house of the LORD“. Solomon was now wholly prepared and ready, symbolized by the fourth year to now “reign over Israel“, just as the bride of Christ will be made ready to rule during the thousand-year reign (Rev 20:6). It is “in the month of Zif^H2099” that this begins as we bring the light of the glorious gospel to the world (1Ti 1:11, 2Co 4:4) and witness to its power, a witness symbolized by “the second month“(Rev 11:3)

– Original: זu1493
– Transliteration: Ziv
– Phonetic: zeev’
– Definition: Zif = brightness

1. name of the 2nd month of the year, corresponding to Apr-May

– Origin: probably from an unused root meaning to be prominent
– TWOT entry: 533
– Part(s) of speech: Proper Name Masculine
– Strong’s: Probably from an unused root meaning to be prominent; properly brightness (H2111) that is (figuratively) the month of flowers;
Ziv (corresponding to Ijar or May): – Zif.

Total KJV Occurrences: 2

• Zif, 2 1Ki 6:1; 1Ki 6:37

1Ki 6:2  And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.

We know that these dimensions are important because they tell us something about the temple that we are (1Co 3:16). Together the description of the “length“, “breadth” and “height” is a symbol for God’s elect of what is to be accomplished in the temple of God until we all come “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph 3:18-19, Eph 4:13).

Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

With these things in mind, the numbers begin to speak for themselves. “Threescore cubits“, which is 60, tells us that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, the number for man, 6, otherwise we are none of His (2Co 4:7, Col 1:27, Rom 8:9).

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

“The breadth thereof twenty” witnesses (2X10) to the mind of Christ that is unsearchable within this temple that “for now we see through a glass, darkly” (‘10′ being flesh) (1Co 13:12-13), even as the spirit of God searches the depths of God (Rom 11:33-34, 1Co 2:10).

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

“The height thereof thirty cubits” reminds us that our growth is a process that unfolds by the grace and faith of Christ (Eph 2:8) who gives the increase (1Co 3:6) through that process, otherwise we would not go onto perfection on the third day in the first resurrection (Luk 13:32, Mat 6:27-33).

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast [Rom 3:27].
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them [Joh 15:16].

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Mat 6:27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [unto the temple that you are (1Co 3:16) – in other words God gives the growth (1Co 3:6)]
Mat 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

[The temple which was dedicated to the Lord represents Solomon who is a temple but “in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” like one of what? like “the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin”. The lilies represent Christ and His life in us (Son 2:1-2). We labour to enter into the rest in him and so we can be given growth or increase from God: “they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin”. It is Christ who is working in our temple both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure to bring about this growth (Php 2:12-13)]

Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you [Php 2:12-13].

1Ki 6:3  And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.

This place called “the porch” that is “before the temple of the house” signifies those who will come close to the temple of God and be blessed to touch the hem of Christ’s garment so to speak (Mat 9:21). The numbers 20 and 10 have the same significance except at this location there is no mention of “the height thereof thirty cubits” indicating a process of judgment that is not upon the masses who are being physically healed in this location. 

This porch is an area that witnesses to what will unfold upon the flesh of men during the thousand year reign just as it did in the book of  (Act 5:12-15) in the same location and without any conversion at that time for any of those who were healed physically. There were believers added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, and you would expect that seeing “they were healed every one”, but this healing was physical and being joined unto the Lord did not facilitate that you were going to continue in the Lord (Joh 8:31-32).

Act 5:12  And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 
Act 5:13  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 
Act 5:14  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 
Act 5:15  Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 
Act 5:16  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Next week Lord willing we will look at verses 1Kings 6:4-7 which speak about other details of the temple of God that we are (1Co 3:16), with the last very telling verse that explains how “there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building” and yet off-site these stones would have been processed with tools that would have been heard, which reminds us that there is a natural preparation of the stones off-site that God prepares (1Co 15:46), and had determined to do so from the foundation of the world in order to build His temple that we are (1Co 3:16).

It is while God’s elect are in Babylon that the Lord is already preparing to call out those stones that are yet being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph 4:14) “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus” knows that “after that ye have suffered a while” He will “make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” as one of those stones that must be shaped through the trials of this life in order to become a (1Pe 5:10) fitly framed stone placed into the temple of God where He has “set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him” (Eph 1:4, Mat 25:34, Act 17:24, Act 7:47-50, 2Co 6:16, 1Co 12:18).

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Act 17:24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Act 7:47  But Solomon built him an house.
Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Act 7:50  Hath not my hand made all these things?

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Less and less we hear [neither] the “hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron” that represents our own works for which we take credit independently of God as Christ increases and we decrease, but all increase comes from God, which increase represents the temple being built by God and without man’s hands. That is the ongoing fight of faith we are called to, to acknowledge that, as we water and plant and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, it is God alone who determines when and how much growth will occur within the body of Christ.

The time comes to build the temple, which we are, together, and that is when we are blessed to no longer hear the natural part of the building process within ourselves (as much), where we needed to see the physical miracles and healings, the preparing of our hearts off-site, knowing Christ after the flesh in other words (2Co 5:16). Now we are blessed to not see and and yet believe (Joh 20:29) as “neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building” occurs, meaning we have a deeper and more profound appreciation of how we are his workmanship being made without hands, and recognize His hand working in each of our lives through each joint that supplies in the church, that is made up of many members but is one body, and one bread (1Co 10:17, 1Co 12:4).

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 

1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 

1Co 12:4  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

Here are the verses for next weeks study Lord willing.

1Ki 6:4  And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. 
1Ki 6:5  And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: 
1Ki 6:6  The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house. 
1Ki 6:7  And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.