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1 Kings 7:16 "He also made two capitals of molten bronze, to set upon the tops of the pillars, the height of one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits." The pillars these capitals were going to sit atop were each eighteen cubits high (1 Kings 7:15), so with these capitals they would be twenty-three cubits, or approximately forty feet, high. They were placed in the vestibule of the temple, after being adorned with artful pomegranates and lilies. (1 Kings 7:20-22).

 

Reading the description of the construction of the temple makes such an impression of how amazingly beautiful and awe-inspiring it was. The details are painstakingly described so the reader can get a picture of what this incredible structure must have looked like. I sometimes think God inspired this detailed account because He knew that the temple would be destroyed, but wanted all of history to know what Solomon and His people had done. (God always has our backs, even when terrible things have to happen!)

 

I sometimes lament our modern church architecture (by modern, I mean in the last 65 years or so). It usually is so uninspiring, and often seems almost purposely dull, or even ugly. I do not understand the reasons for this, other than something weird went on in the '60s in general, and I don't understand a lot about the generation that came of age then. But there are still churches around that inspire with beauty. When I am in them, it affects my worship, I feel more joyful, more in touch with the Divine (who is, after all, the standard of beauty).

 

Sometimes people criticize the Church for her lavish trappings, saying that money could have been better spent elsewhere, but I am grateful for this beauty. I think it is pretty clear that God is grateful for it, too, since He had the temple so lovingly described for posterity.