Originally posted: 5/08/2020

He also overlaid the house with gold—the beams, the thresholds and its walls and its doors; and he carved cherubim on the walls. ⁸ Now he made the room of the holy of holies: its length across the width of the house was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to 600 talents. ⁹ The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold, (3:7-9).

Every item was accurately categorized along with each measurement to sufficiently supply materials of the highest grade. Only the best would be suitable for His dwelling place: cypress wood; the most precious of metals and stones; the finest of linen and fabrics; the adornments skillfully carved. Even the front porch would be inlaid with pure gold!

There was to be no holds barred on expenses for constructing a dwelling place fitting for the Presence of the Lord, God of Israel.

The materials were meticulously itemized, the assets invested into this building project were extravagant and plenteous, but each was able to be measured in quantity and value.

I thought of how beautiful it all must have been, of its glorious elegance, as well as the astronomical cost expended to include both materials and labor. And although the expenditure for such an undertaking surely far surpassed any other structure of its day, the worth of this final creation, though exceedingly great, would still be able to be laboriously tallied to assess its final worth.

The beauty and the magnitude of the finished temple were surely breathtaking; but in truth, the lavish and copious resources and adornments devoted to the magnanimous structure, simply paled in comparison with Him Who Is Beyond Measure.

Consider Him Who Is Beyond Measure

•  His Holiness Beyond Measure
  • Who is like You among the gods, O Lord?
    Who is like You, majestic in holiness,
    Awesome in praises, working wonders? (Exodus15:11).

• His Greatness Beyond Measure
  • Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
    And His greatness is unsearchable, (Psalm 145:3).

• His Power Beyond Measure
  • “O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You,” (2 Chronicles 20:6).

• His Wisdom Beyond Measure
  • Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
    Indeed it is Your due!
    For among all the wise men of the nations
    And in all their kingdoms,
    There is none like You, (Jeremiah 10:7).

• His Faithfulness Beyond Measure
  • O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord?
    Your faithfulness also surrounds You, (Psalm 89:9).

• His Glorious Grace Beyond Measure
  • For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    The Lord gives grace and glory;
    No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
    ¹² O Lord of hosts,
    How blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalm 84:11-12).

• His Mercy Beyond Measure
  • The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
    For His compassions [mercies] never fail.
    ²³ They are new every morning;
    Great is Your faithfulness, (Lamentations 3:22-23).

• His Everlasting Love Beyond Measure
  • “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness,” (Jeremiah 31:3).

How do we respond to Him Who Is Beyond Measure?

I did some reading on what it might cost to build Solomon’s temple if built today. It is estimated that over twenty tons of gold was used. Factoring in all the materials and labor costs, and without the use of our modern-day equipment to help cut cost, it is speculated that if Solomon’s temple were constructed today, it would cost over 150 billion dollars.

Every bit of the amount needed was procured through the offerings and gifts of the king and the people. They held nothing back. They offered only the best. Although we cannot place a value on God, or measure His Worth, He is most certainly worthy of the very best we have to offer.

While the preceding list of His attributes considered reveal that every part of Him Is Beyond Measure, it is in no wise an exhaustive account. Because He is infinite, everything about Him is Beyond Measure; we cannot even begin to quantify all that He is.

And while we have no problem accepting the fact that we cannot possibly calculate His worth, the sad fact is that we all too often undervalue Him, taking His Holiness, His Greatness, His Power, His Wisdom, His Faithfulness, His Glorious Grace, His Mercies, and His Everlasting Love for granted.

As we consider Him Who Is Beyond Measure, the worth and worship that befits only Him, how can we hold back in bringing our generous best? He is so much more generous to us. And another truth to consider, although His value is Beyond Measure, He actually finds us valuable!

Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows,” (Luke 12:6-7).

In view of His boundless charity towards us, how can we not set apart our whole selves in gratitude unto Him, so as to value Him with all that we are?

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship, (Romans 12:1).

Let us consecrate ourselves, that we would come with our willing offerings to serve and worship Him with all our hearts, to walk in His Commands and abide in His Love; that we would experience the glorious reality of His Joy Beyond Measure. And what, in this life, could be of any more value than that?

 Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” …Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, (1 Chronicles 29:9).

And the ransomed of the Lord will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
With everlasting joy upon their heads.
They will find gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away, (Isaiah 35:10).

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full,” (John 15:9-11).

 Let’s Grow Together!