664
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
In the Old Testament accounts of Noah's Ark ([[Genesis 6]]) and the Tabernacle ([[Exodus 25]] - [[Exodus 31]]), God dictates a detailed design but say nothing at all about the construction methods. The design of Solomon's temple was slightly different: in [[1 Chronicles 28]] we are told that David gave his son Solomon written plans "that the Spirit had put into his mind" (v12). "The hand of the Lord was upon me and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan" (v19).
In each case, it can be assumed that God expected the people to make whatever use of technology was appropriate to achieve the goal. Perhaps this is no surprise, but we should not overlook the fact that there could have been other approaches. God could have made tools unnecessary, or provided all the tools that were necessary. God could have specified exactly what to do rather than leave so much open to Noah, Moses and Solomon's initiative. But God's typical approach to acting in the world is by delegation. God let's lets us know the goal and an ethical framework, and then relies on our initiative to work out the details.
One exception to this pattern is the instructions about building altars. [[Exodus 20:24]] - [[Exodus 20:25]] is very specific in the instruction that unhewn stones be used, undefiled by tools. In particular, the use of iron tools is forbidden ([[Deuteronomy 27:5]], [[Joshua 8:31]]). The reason for this prohibition is not made explicit. They are to be made of natural materials -- earth and stone -- rather than being manufactured. They are to be unadorned, perhaps so that no symbol or image will lead to superstition and detract from the worship of God alone. Such altars are temporary and eventually superseded by the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus is a cut stone, formed not by human hands ([[Daniel 2:34]], [[Daniel 2:44]] - [[Daniel 2:45]]) and although he was rejected by the builders he has become the foundation stone of everything that God has built ([[Psalm 118:2022]], [[Luke 20:17]], [[Acts 4:11]], [[1 Peter 2:7]]).
The construction of the Tabernacle was a major undertaking, both technically and politically. The Biblical account spans 16 chapters, from [[Exodus 25]] to [[Exodus 40]]. Bezalel and Oholiab direct the project, but the work is not just carried out by professionals: [[Exodus 35:10]] - [[Exodus 35:29]] indicates that "all who were willing, men and women alike" brought their gifts and applied their skills to the task.
Many of the cities in Biblical times were encircled by walls. When the Israelites spies returned from Canaan, they reported "walls up to the sky" ([[Deuteronomy 1:28]]). The people were daunted, but God empowered them to destroy all 60 walled cities in Bashan alone ([[Deuteronomy 3:4]] - [[Deuteronomy 3:5]]). Putting aside the problematic theme of such a violent God, one lesson from this is that God's people need not fear the technology of their enemies. That point is made explicit in [[Deuteronomy 20:1]].
The Israelites themselves spend a lot of time constructing walls, for example when they returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon -- that's one of the main themes of [[Ezra]] and [[Nehemiah]].
Other references to construction include:
* [[Exodus 5]] - While in Egypt, the Israelites were given a quota on brick making
* [[2 Kings 20:20]], [[2 Chronicles 32:30]] - Hezekiah built a tunnel to bring water into city.
* [[Ecclesiastes 2:4]] - [[Ecclesiastes 2:6]] - Solomon built houses, and reservoirs to water his gardens, but realised that it was meaningless (v11).
== Responsibility ==
[[Deuteronomy 22:8]]
[[Deuteronomy 19:5]]
Honest measures: [[Leviticus 19:35]]
== Trust God rather than technology ==
