The word paneled
is rare in the Old Testament. It is only otherwise used to describe the expensive wood panelling used for Solomon’s palace and temple (1 Kings 6:9; 1 Kings 7:3, 1 Kings 7:7; Jeremiah 22:14). Sixteen years after returning to the Promised Land to build the temple, God’s house remains a ruin, but the people have been able to build for themselves the kind of houses they claimed were just not possible to build for the Lord at this time. That is very striking! It turns out the people of God are able to rebuild the temple! (We cannot forget all those gifts that Cyrus gave the exiles when they left, for the temple rebuilding project; see Ezra 1:4; Ezra 6:4. Further, the community that had returned from exile had a high proportion of slaves; Ezra 2:65.)
Thus, the Lord’s point with his question is, What is your excuse? Harsh economy? You are living in luxury. Opposition? Am I not the Lord of Hosts? The Lord of might and power?
There was no excuse for God’s people. After close to two decades of inactivity at the temple site while homes were being built and beautified, the prophet is pointing out misplaced priorities. Unlike David and Solomon, they were putting themselves and their personal comfort first, ahead of the call to devote their hearts to the Lord and build the Lord’s house (2 Samuel 7:2; Psalm 132:2–5).
4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?