The Chambers

“Against the wall of the house he built chambers round about... both of the temple and of the oracle” (1 Kings 6:5). The Tabernacle had nothing answering to this; but the Temple in contrast with the Tabernacle represents a settled condition of things, for wars were at an end, and rest had come. Privileged indeed were the men who were thus permitted to dwell with God. We are reminded of the longing of David’s heart as expressed in Psalms 27:4: “One thing have I desired of Jehovah, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah, and to inquire in His Temple.” He spoke also of the joy of it. “Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, even of Thy holy temple” (Psa. 65:4). The natural man understands nothing of this. The thought of God is repulsive to him. Gladly would he flee to the uttermost parts of the universe if thereby he could get away from God. Every atom of longing after God; yea, of delight in God that we discover within ourselves is the fruit of sovereign grace. The Apostle strikes a high note in Romans 5:11: “We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the reconciliation.”
The Lord Jesus had the Temple-chambers in mind when He said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions (abodes).” In John 2:16 He called the Jewish Temple “My Father’s house,” and in chapter 14:2 He applies the same title to Heaven. At His coming we shall find ourselves in the presence of God known to us as Father; we shall be in the company of the Son; we shall bear His image; and we shall share with Him the infinite wealth of the Father’s love.
The Temple-chambers were built in three stories, the higher being reached by winding stairs. The lowest stories were five cubits broad, the middle were six cubits, and the third were seven cubits. Is this meant to suggest continual progress in the Father’s house above?
There is a beautiful notice of the chambers in 1 Chronicles 9:33 (Revised Version): “These are the singers, heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites, who dwelt in the chambers and were free from other service: for they were employed in their work day and night.” Delightful picture! Elderly men, living with Israel’s God in His house, and released from all other service but praise! The time may come when some of us may have to cease active labor, but we can still praise our God. If our hearts are in tune!
In the midst of the instructions concerning the chambers in 1 Kings 6 we find these remarkable words: “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 ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building.” A colossal work wrought without noise! How unlike man’s methods! God is preparing a building for Himself today. It is composed of living materials—sinners saved by grace. “The whole building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph. 2:21). In the midst of all the clamor and turmoil of earth this work of God is proceeding. Unostentatiously, but surely, the work grows, and it will be seen in glorious result at the Lord’s return. Unlike Solomon’s Temple, it will never be overthrown,