Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
A Tale of two Architects:
In the Early 20th Century, it was possible to buy a whole house in a kit, and put it together yourself. This was called The Sears Craftsman House, and plays a pivotal role in this amusing scene from Jean Shepherd's "Phantom of the Open Hearth". It was very important to follow the directions perfectly and in order.
The Sears Craftsman House used many Traditional and Neo-Classical design structures, mostly borrowed from Ancient Greece, such as pilasters and pediments, and a Sears House in its original state is highly prized in the real estate market today.
Earlier in this study, we compared the Sears House to the Tabernacle in the Desert, in which all the blueprints and construction methods were handed to Moses at Mt. Sinai, with no deviations allowed. It was light, movable, practical, and elegant in its design. The Architect of the Tabernacle was God himself, inspiring the Craftsmen.
Solomon was a brilliant "Renaissance Man" who was a Poet, an Author, A Statesman, and an Architect. He was also a very wise and good man, but had some serious problems in the "Lust and Hubris Department", which brings us to the second architect in our story. In Ayn Rand's book, "The Fountainhead", we meet Howard Roarke, an individualist architect who struggles against the establishment to create something new. Although the author of the book wants to portray Rourke as "The Perfect Man", he too struggles with Lust and Hubris which cause him to rape the woman he loves and blow up his own buildings that he believes were compromised in their design by others. (Please...I KNOW that Ayn Rand has both friends and enemies in this Forum, but I am just using this as an illustration! PEACE!).
Anyway, Solomon uses measurements, proportions, and the basic shape of the Desert Tabernacle, but then, his brilliance as an architect is allowed (by God!) to flourish, and the temple reflects the Majesty, Glory, and Serene Beauty of The One True God. Like Howard Rourke, Solomon is not afraid to try something new. The Giant Pillars, with their wonderful designs drawn from Nature, The Immense Laver with the oxen surrounding it, the Massive Altar of Sacrifice, all give an air of Authority and Permanence.
While Howard Roarke blew up his own buildings because they did not hold to his Vision, Solomon would sow the seeds for his own creation to be destroyed as well. He starts right out taking foreign exotic woman as wives and concubines, and doesn't stop until he finds himself worshiping their idols. This is the VERY thing God told him NOT to do.
Though Howard Rourke used Dynamite to destroy his buildings, Solomon used something far more ancient and potent...SIN.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS