“In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 6:1
What a time span! Let that sink in. 480 years after the Israelites left Egypt, Solomon built the temple. Solomon became the King of Israel around 970 B.C., so the fourth year of his reign would be around 966 B.C. And 480 years before that would be around 1446 B.C.!
King David had wanted to build a temple for God, but God said no. However, God allowed David’s son Solomon to build it. The temple would go on to become the national and religious center of Israel. This is clearly seen in the prominence of the temple in Jesus’ life. His parents dedicated him there as an infant. As a man, he traveled there for a number of religious feasts. Jesus cleared the temple of the money changers and taught there many times.
But, for 480 years, the nation of Israel had no temple! Today, it is 2015; so, 480 years ago would be 1535. That is a long time ago. We declared our independence from Great Britain only 239 years ago. Imagine, if in the year 2256, we built our nation’s capital building in Washington, D.C.!
God’s timetable is totally different than ours. We pray for something for a month or a year and it doesn’t get answered. So, we stop praying. But, when I read this verse, I was encouraged. I should never stop praying, even if it takes God decades to answer my prayers. That is true faith — to keep praying for something, even if God tarries in His answers!
Waiting,
Josh
Posted in A Word from the Pastor