READING: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: These chapters give great detail about building the Temple and Solomon’s house. In the middle of the architectural specifications, though, is this word about a major contributor to the work:
1 Kgs. 7:13-14 King Solomon had Hiram brought from Tyre. He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a bronze craftsman. Hiram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge to do every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.
Hiram (not the king of Tyre mentioned in a previous devotion) may have been only an employee of Solomon, but I’m struck by this thought: he was a skilled man who moved to a new location to use his gifts, and the work of God prospered. The fact that his mother was Jewish makes me wonder how much of the Hebrew story he already knew as he made this commitment. Again, we can assume that he did so only at the command of King Hiram and for the purpose of income, but he nevertheless shows the potential of skilled craftsmen using their skills away from home in God’s work. How much more that potential is when the person is a believer who desires to be a witness among the nations!
Here’s the point: among believers, we have much potential for Great Commission work sitting in our pews. Strategically utilized in cooperation with missionaries and the church on the ground, “skilled craftsmen” in the U.S. can strengthen the work of God around the world. Perhaps you have skills you might use.
PRAYER: Pray that I will use my gifts most effectively for the Great Commission while I also challenge others to do the same.
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2