Topical Bible: Integrity: Workmen, Who Repaired the Temple

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of integrity is vividly illustrated through the account of the workmen who repaired the Temple during the reign of King Josiah. This episode is recorded in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34, where the faithfulness and honesty of the workmen are highlighted as they undertake the significant task of restoring the house of the Lord.

Biblical Context

King Josiah, who began his reign at the tender age of eight, was a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David" (2 Kings 22:2). In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah initiated a major religious reform, which included the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a time when the nation of Judah was in need of spiritual renewal, and the Temple, as the center of worship, required restoration to its former glory.

The Role of the Workmen

Josiah appointed Shaphan the scribe, Hilkiah the high priest, and other officials to oversee the Temple repairs. The funds collected from the people were entrusted to these leaders, who then distributed the money to the workmen. The integrity of these workmen is particularly noted in the biblical text: "But they did not require an accounting from the men who received the money to pay the workmen, because they acted with integrity" (2 Kings 22:7).

This statement underscores the trustworthiness of the workmen. Their honesty was so evident that no detailed accounting was necessary. The funds were used appropriately, and the work was carried out diligently, reflecting their commitment to the task and their reverence for the sacred space they were restoring.

Significance of Integrity

The integrity of the workmen serves as a powerful example of faithfulness in service to God. Their honest labor contributed to the spiritual revival under Josiah's leadership, as the Temple once again became a place of worship and covenant renewal. The workmen's integrity ensured that the resources were used effectively, and their dedication to their craft honored God.

In a broader sense, this account highlights the importance of integrity in all areas of life, especially in tasks related to the service of God. The workmen's example encourages believers to act with honesty and faithfulness, trusting that their labor, when done with integrity, contributes to the greater purpose of God's kingdom.

Lessons from the Workmen

The narrative of the Temple repairs under Josiah's reign offers several lessons for believers:

1. Trustworthiness: The workmen's integrity earned them the trust of the king and the priests, demonstrating that honesty builds confidence and respect.

2. Faithful Stewardship: Their careful handling of resources reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where believers are called to manage God's gifts responsibly.

3. Commitment to God's Work: The workmen's dedication to restoring the Temple underscores the importance of committing one's skills and efforts to the service of God, recognizing that such work has eternal significance.

The account of the workmen who repaired the Temple stands as a testament to the enduring value of integrity, reminding believers of the impact that honest and faithful service can have in fulfilling God's purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 12:15
Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 22:7
However, there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... came in the night and broke the rafters; but the workmen soon repaired the loss ... them
zealous for the cause of God: men of sense and integrity, patterns of ...
/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... its foreign conquests had not been repaired by the ... functions, and replaced by an
administrator of tried integrity. ... good traditions of the best workmen of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... most happy, and without doubt greatly blessed, because they were the servants, as
I then thought,[49] of God, and were principal in the holy temple, to do his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm