Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the Lord, and a royal palace for himself. 2 [b] And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them. 3 And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: “As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me. 4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the Lord our God, as ordained forever for Israel. 5 The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6 But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? 7 So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided. 8 Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And my servants will be with your servants, 9 to prepare timber for me in abundance, for the house I am to build will be great and wonderful. 10 I will give for your servants, the woodsmen who cut timber, 20,000 cors[c] of crushed wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths[d] of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil.”
11 Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, “Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them.” 12 Hiram also said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.
13 “Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi,14 the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and to do all sorts of engraving and execute any design that may be assigned him, with your craftsmen, the craftsmen of my lord, David your father. 15 Now therefore the wheat and barley, oil and wine, of which my lord has spoken, let him send to his servants. 16 And we will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, so that you may take it up to Jerusalem.”
17 Then Solomon counted all the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, after the census of them that David his father had taken, and there were found 153,600. 18 Seventy thousand of them he assigned to bear burdens, 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 as overseers to make the people work. 2 Chronicles 2
Solomon does here wisely in approaching a friend of his father. It is a huge undertaking, but also there is so much in the detail that he needs men of precision. Sometimes we look at ourselves and then look to the task, and we see that the math just isn't there. Shall I paint you a picture, I can't, I am not an artist. Shall I design and build you a house? You probably won't like it, but here is the number of a man I know, he is honest and his work is brilliant. Many members of one body, and what is there that I could ever set out to build alone? Not this temple, surely, and though Solomon has been given wisdom beyond all other men, he is still being blessed by his father. God has prepared the way and the acquaintance, before Solomon was even born. So let it also be understood, that God has prepared our hearts to pray for the preparation of other's hearts. When we pray for this, not that we may save, for we are not the Savior, I am not the Author or finisher of creation, but God please use me. If skill and strength are the currency of this world, gold and silver it's faith and representation, well how much more is the strength of the One Who made these things, and how much more valuable is the currency of heaven? If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, I will hear their prayers and heal their land. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much, such is the currency of heaven. Oh God, Creator of all that I see and beyond, beyond my understanding, and beyond what can ever be contained. I ask You to take up residence within my heart, to sweep it clean and make it as You wish, that I may serve You gladly with every breath that You have given me. Let Your Spirit guide me and help me, deliver me from evil and let me take no offense against my own honor, but let me stand for yours, boldly and in love. When we are called to a work, to care, to pray, know that we are praying not to our own talents or resources, but to the infinite God, Creator of the universe. It is a small thing, but it grows into such a wonderful and useful tree.
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10: 9-20
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