Faithful to God's Purpose

Now three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar which he had built for the LORD, and he burned incense with them on the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the temple. 1 Kings 9:25

When the temple was completed, Solomon remembered the commandment of God in Deuteronomy 16:16, where God says, “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God … and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.” The people are to appear at:

(1) The Feast of Passover. This is symbolic of salvation. When we stand before God one day, we are to appear with souls we have turned to the Lord for salvation. We are not to come before Him empty-handed.

(2) The Feast of Pentecost. This is symbolic of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We too have to appear before the Lord with souls we have led into the Spirit baptism. Again, we are not to come before His throne empty-handed.

(3) The Feast of Tabernacle. This is symbolic of Christian perfection. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we are to present to Him the believers we have discipled and led into the pathway of spiritual maturity. May we not come before Him empty-handed in this area too.

See the beautiful spirit of Solomon? Unlike many ministers or denominations, Solomon was not transfixed by the splendor of the temple he had built; nor did he look upon it as an end in itself. He knew that the house of God was the place where the purpose of God would be accomplished. And for his faithful obedience to God’s Word and purpose, God blessed him greatly.

“King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom” (1 Kin. 10:23). God had promised him not only wisdom and understanding, but also riches and honor. Wisdom often precedes abundance. Solomon himself said that wisdom brings with it a long life, riches and honor (Prov. 3:16). No wonder he exhorts, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (4:7). Solomon lacked nothing. There was an abundant supply of wealth to accomplish all the dreams and visions God had given to him. In these exciting days, God is searching for people who would apply their hearts to divine wisdom. And into their hands will be given an abundance of wealth to perform all the will of God on the earth.