Elijah has finished his ministry and is honored by God who sends a fiery chariot and a whirlwind to bring him home to his eternal reward. Are their stories in you family about the miracle of passing from life through death to eternity? My grandmother often told the story of the angel who came to take her mother home. I have been present when the palpable presence of God was in the room with us as we prayed a loved one through to their new eternal home? What have you been witness to? There is great comfort for me in the knowledge that God does not abandon us at any place in our journey but sends his minions to escort us home.
Elisha will not leave his mentor even as death approaches. What a wonderful picture of friendship and companionship. Would that we would be so loyal and so faithful.
Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Remember in the Mosaic law that the 1st born son receives a double portion of their father's inheritance. This is what Elisha is asking for......that he would be regarded as Elijah's 1st born son and be allowed to continue his ministry. The confirmation that God had granted his wish was quick in coming when Elisha struck the waters of the Jordan and the waters parted. Elisha joins a growing list of those faithful men of God whom he chose to part the water for: Moses, Joshua, Elijah and now Elisha.
Just a thought on chapter 3 and the invasion of Moab. Note that God would not have blessed this venture except for the presence of Jehosaphat. Joram, son of Ahab was not as evil as his father, but the scripture says that he clung to the sin of Jeroboam......that is he continued to allow the worship of idols. That God would bless the venture should be an encouragement to all those who have relationships with unsaved persons (we should all be engaged in a ministry that calls us into the world of the unsaved, how else can they hear the good news of Jesus Christ), God blessed this action because of the presence of a righteous man, Jehosaphat. Also see the miracle of the desert. Elisha tells them to dig ditches in the desert and God will provide water for their animals. We cannot know for sure what happened but consider this, the desert is surrounded by mountains, God calls rain down in the mountains, it flows into the desert where it would normally be gobbled up by the desert, but by faith these mean have dug ditches in anticipation of God's blessing. Are you preparing for blessings that you have not yet received? How else is faith demonstrated except we walk on and prepare for that which God has promised?
Two miracles to comment on in Chapter 4: the miracle of the olive oil. Creditor's were about to take the widows two sons to sell them to settle the family debt. An awful practice, but the practice of that culture. Elisha tells the widow to borrow jars from her neighbors and God will provide. She sends her sons, the acquire the jars, she begins to pour and the olive oil continues until all the jars were filled and then the flow ceases. There was enough oil to sell and satisfy the debtors. Would the flow of oil continued had the widow obtained more jars? Are our blessings limited by our faith? Worthy of your consideration and prayerful thought. God did provide but was he prepared to do abundantly more had their been more faith?
The story of the barren Shunammite women has some overtones of the story of Abraham and Sarah who were unable to conceive. She shows great kindness to the holy man by giving permanent hospitality in a room and food. He returns her kindness by prophesying a child and indeed a son is born but the son later dies tragically. Elisha comforts the mother and then prostrates himself of the dead boy. God hears his prayer and raises the son from death to life. The 2nd such miracle that we have read about.
I can't leave this passage without pointing out the passage in the 2nd chapter that illustrates how much God loves us bald headed men! You saw what he did to those boys who were teasing Elijah about his lack of hair? Just remember that when you look upon my "God Blessed" head. ( I know that you know that I am kidding)
Hope you are having a God-blessed day. Don't miss this Sunday's sermon. Sara Howard is speaking to us about their miracle that she witnessed in the birth of her 3 year old Grace. You will be blessed!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
1 Kings 21-22, 2 Kings 1
Ahab was among the most evil of all of the kings of Israel. His evil influence will taint Israel's leadership for generations and will affect Judah as well. The story of Naboth and his vineyard is an illustration of his evil and of the evil in his wife Jezebel. Naboth refuses to sell his vineyard to Ahab because to do so would be to sell the land that was his family inheritance. It could well have been his family's allotment from the time when Joshua assigned land to the tribes in the days when Israel first entered into the land of milk and honey. The year of the Jubilee was designed for such occasions which would have meant that the land would have reverted back to Naboth's heirs sometime in the next 50 years but there is no indication that Israel ever practice the Jubilee as God intended.
When Naboth refused Ahab, the king went home pouting and sulking. Jezebel learned the reason for his pouting and put together a plan that would bring the land to the king. Her plan required a layering of evil. The king initiated the evil with his desire for something that was not his. Jezebel was evil for putting the plan together that would cause the death of Naboth. The witnesses that falsely accused Naboth were evil with their lies and deceit (remember that under Mosaic law it took two witnesses to accuse someone of wrongdoing). The elders of Jezreel were spinelessly evil to go along with Jezebel's evil plan and to encourage and allow the stoning of an innocent man.
God calls Ahab's hand in the shedding of this innocent blood and sends Elijah to tell him that one day dogs would lick his blood in the very same place that they had lapped up the innocent blood of Naboth. He also prophesied the awful death of the evil queen Jezebel. Both of these prophecies come true, but because Ahab repented of his sin (wearing sack cloth and ashes) God withheld a part of his sentence on Ahab and his heirs until after his death.
When Ahab is killed in battle while fighting against the Syrians with Jehosaphat and the Judeans we see the fulfillment of the 1st part of the prophecy as dogs lick up the blood of Ahab that has spilled into the floor of the chariot he was in.
Jehosaphat is the son of Asa and was a good king following in the footsteps of his father. This reminds us of the importance of a Godly model for our children to learn from and to imitate. Pray that we would be good mentors for our children and our children's children that they would walk faithfully in service to our Lord that their days might be blessed by Almighty God.
In the New Testament Paul speaks of the importance to be equally yoked in marriage. This is a difficult thing for us to understand. We think that we can positively influence our spouse and we can, but it is possible for the reverse to occur as well. Look at the example in Judah's case. Asa was a righteous king who tried to serve God. His son, Jehosaphat followed in his father's footsteps and example. Jehosaphat's son was Jehoram. Jehosaphat seeks to strengthen the alliance between Israel and Judah and allows a marriage between the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and Jahoram. Great political strategy but very bad spiritual strategy. He reintroduces Idol worship in Judah and that is bad, bad, BAD!!! 2 kings that follow will follow in the foot steps of Jahoram. They will all do evil in the eyes of the Lord and all of this finds its roots in Ahab! They learned from a very evil example.
When Naboth refused Ahab, the king went home pouting and sulking. Jezebel learned the reason for his pouting and put together a plan that would bring the land to the king. Her plan required a layering of evil. The king initiated the evil with his desire for something that was not his. Jezebel was evil for putting the plan together that would cause the death of Naboth. The witnesses that falsely accused Naboth were evil with their lies and deceit (remember that under Mosaic law it took two witnesses to accuse someone of wrongdoing). The elders of Jezreel were spinelessly evil to go along with Jezebel's evil plan and to encourage and allow the stoning of an innocent man.
God calls Ahab's hand in the shedding of this innocent blood and sends Elijah to tell him that one day dogs would lick his blood in the very same place that they had lapped up the innocent blood of Naboth. He also prophesied the awful death of the evil queen Jezebel. Both of these prophecies come true, but because Ahab repented of his sin (wearing sack cloth and ashes) God withheld a part of his sentence on Ahab and his heirs until after his death.
When Ahab is killed in battle while fighting against the Syrians with Jehosaphat and the Judeans we see the fulfillment of the 1st part of the prophecy as dogs lick up the blood of Ahab that has spilled into the floor of the chariot he was in.
Jehosaphat is the son of Asa and was a good king following in the footsteps of his father. This reminds us of the importance of a Godly model for our children to learn from and to imitate. Pray that we would be good mentors for our children and our children's children that they would walk faithfully in service to our Lord that their days might be blessed by Almighty God.
In the New Testament Paul speaks of the importance to be equally yoked in marriage. This is a difficult thing for us to understand. We think that we can positively influence our spouse and we can, but it is possible for the reverse to occur as well. Look at the example in Judah's case. Asa was a righteous king who tried to serve God. His son, Jehosaphat followed in his father's footsteps and example. Jehosaphat's son was Jehoram. Jehosaphat seeks to strengthen the alliance between Israel and Judah and allows a marriage between the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and Jahoram. Great political strategy but very bad spiritual strategy. He reintroduces Idol worship in Judah and that is bad, bad, BAD!!! 2 kings that follow will follow in the foot steps of Jahoram. They will all do evil in the eyes of the Lord and all of this finds its roots in Ahab! They learned from a very evil example.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
1 Kings 18-20
Elijah has been hiding from the evil King Ahab for more than 3 years while a drought has ravaged Israel. Now God instructs Elijah to confront Ahab at Mt. Carmel. Elijah challenges Ahab and his god, Baal, to a bit of a duel. He invites Ahab to bring 850 priests of Baal and Asherah and they will see who truly is God. All of Israel gathers to see what happens. The false priests prepare their sacrifice and then they dance and sing and shoot pleading with Baal to send fire to consume their sacrifice. Nothing happens! Imagine that! Then Elijah steps forward and asks Israel, "how long will you jump back and forth between Yahweh and these false gods? When will you decide who you will serve?" Remember back to the days when Joshua asked Israel the same question on the banks of the Jordan. The had emphatically declared, "We will serve the Lord!" Time has past and they have forgotten what it means to be devoted to God.
Elijah prepares the altar and the offering and then he prays to God "to send down fire!" God answers and the offering and the altar and the ground around are consumed by the fire of God. Then Elijah calls on Israel to destroy those who have led them in worshipping false gods and all of the 850 false priests are killed.
Would that God's fire would descend on us and consume all that is not holy in us. Could we withstand such a fire? Would we welcome such a holy cleansing or have we become so accustomed and enamored of the world and the flesh that we would be unwilling to give those things to God?
God ends the drought and the rain comes. this is often true after we have battled evil and overcome, there will be a season of refreshing accompanied by fruitful growth.
False prophets have a number of characteristics that should warn us about them. They seek the favor of those who are powerful. They seek to say things that will be pleasing to others. They seek personal benefit from their ministry. True profits seek only to honor God. Their speech will often alienate and accuse those in power or position. They often live in poverty or very frugally.
Despite the great victory over evil, Elijah suffers a season of depression. He goes into the wilderness and asks God to deliver him from this lonely quest for righteousness. He cries out that there is no other who bears this burden with him. God nourishes Elijah and sends him on a journey to Mt. Horeb (Sinai, the same Mt. of the 10 commandments). There he hides him in a cave. Could this be the cleft in the rock where Moses stood while the glory of God passed? God tells Elijah to prepare himself, he is coming.....not in the storm, not in the earthquake, but in a whisper (give us ears to hear, O Lord!). God tells him that he is not alone, there are 7000 more who have bent a knee to Ahab & Jezebel and the evil that they represent. We must know that God promises to always preserve a remnant. The world may be in a downward spiral but God preserves sufficient yeast to cause the loaf to rise! May we always remember that we are the yeast and we are not alone.
God also commissions Elijah to do three anointings, perhaps the most important to Elijah is the anointing of Elisha who will become his companion and eventually his successor. While we journey and do our work for the Lord, we, too, should be mentoring and preparing future leadership for the church and for the work that is yet to be done. We are intended to multiply this ministry that like a budding young vine we might spread and yield fruit 40 or 60 or 80 or even 100 fold.
Enjoy the sunlight and the promise of God's refreshing spring. Hope you have a most blessed day.
Elijah prepares the altar and the offering and then he prays to God "to send down fire!" God answers and the offering and the altar and the ground around are consumed by the fire of God. Then Elijah calls on Israel to destroy those who have led them in worshipping false gods and all of the 850 false priests are killed.
Would that God's fire would descend on us and consume all that is not holy in us. Could we withstand such a fire? Would we welcome such a holy cleansing or have we become so accustomed and enamored of the world and the flesh that we would be unwilling to give those things to God?
God ends the drought and the rain comes. this is often true after we have battled evil and overcome, there will be a season of refreshing accompanied by fruitful growth.
False prophets have a number of characteristics that should warn us about them. They seek the favor of those who are powerful. They seek to say things that will be pleasing to others. They seek personal benefit from their ministry. True profits seek only to honor God. Their speech will often alienate and accuse those in power or position. They often live in poverty or very frugally.
Despite the great victory over evil, Elijah suffers a season of depression. He goes into the wilderness and asks God to deliver him from this lonely quest for righteousness. He cries out that there is no other who bears this burden with him. God nourishes Elijah and sends him on a journey to Mt. Horeb (Sinai, the same Mt. of the 10 commandments). There he hides him in a cave. Could this be the cleft in the rock where Moses stood while the glory of God passed? God tells Elijah to prepare himself, he is coming.....not in the storm, not in the earthquake, but in a whisper (give us ears to hear, O Lord!). God tells him that he is not alone, there are 7000 more who have bent a knee to Ahab & Jezebel and the evil that they represent. We must know that God promises to always preserve a remnant. The world may be in a downward spiral but God preserves sufficient yeast to cause the loaf to rise! May we always remember that we are the yeast and we are not alone.
God also commissions Elijah to do three anointings, perhaps the most important to Elijah is the anointing of Elisha who will become his companion and eventually his successor. While we journey and do our work for the Lord, we, too, should be mentoring and preparing future leadership for the church and for the work that is yet to be done. We are intended to multiply this ministry that like a budding young vine we might spread and yield fruit 40 or 60 or 80 or even 100 fold.
Enjoy the sunlight and the promise of God's refreshing spring. Hope you have a most blessed day.
Monday, April 4, 2011
1 Kings 15-17
tough part of the Old Testament. Not where you would direct a seeker or a new believer. This is the story of a succession of bad kings and folks who seem to refuse to be obedient to God. It is an amazing thing to read, but in defense of humanity remember that we are reading a few short chapters that cover several hundred years and several generations of people. Having said that doing what we have always done when what was done was evil will have the same result.....God cannot bless evil. Notice how often the phrase, "did evil in the sight of the Lord" appears with this list of kings of both Israel and Judah. There is a difference. In the history of Judah there appears from time to time leaders like Asa, the great grandson of Solomon whose hearts are more in line with what God saw in the heart of David. Reforms are initiated idols and altars are destroyed and the temple becomes the focus of the nation. But even in the reforms they are never able to fully restore the nation to what God had intended. the sins of the king are almost always around what Paul called the sins of the flesh. The gods that are introduced represent fertility and sensuality and reprehensible practices like temple prostitution are instituted.
God raises up prophets during these years, men like Jehu who speak to these kings on behalf of God and who warn them of the great danger they and their followers are in, but for the most part, the lure of sin is too strong and wine, women and song win out over righteousness and fidelity to God. The end result will be the disenfranchisement of Israel and later Judah. One of the lessons for us is that God will not be mocked and while it may take several generations for the price of evil to be paid in full, a fall will come and a nation will implode and the mantle will be passed to someone else who will have an opportunity to live a life that God can bless and use to restore humanity.
When we see the phrase, "walked in the ways of Jeroboam" we can conclude that the person did evil in the sight of God. Jeroboam becomes synonymous with evil in the history of Israel.
Evil can become so entrenched in a culture that it is normalized. this is a great danger for America. Think how difficult it is to keep the sabbath. Think about how we have worked so hard at being inclusive that we have minimized Christianity. Think about how practices that would be anathema to God are allowable because of our desire to protect the rights of self. I love freedom, but human freedom and can lead us to places that endanger our immortal souls. That is what happens to Israel and to Judah.
We are introduced to Ahab, often thought of as the most vile king to rule in Israel. He builds Jericho and Samaria. Remember when Jericho was destroyed by Joshua God commanded that it would never be rebuilt. Sin upon sin is committed by those who lead. Ahab marries Jezebel (please don't name your daughter Jezebel). Jezebel is evil and introduces awful things to Israel. It is believed that sexual images were built as idols and worshiped in the groves and high places. Sodom and Gomorrah have returned! In this context God raises up one of the most famous of prophets, a man named Ezekiel. Chapter 17 takes pains to let us know how powerful God's influence is in this mans life. Much of what we read in the next few days will be about God's use in bringing down Ahab and Jezebel. See the mighty hand of God at work as God provides for Ezekiel by catering to him with the ravens and a poor widow woman. the miracle of the flour and oil and the 1st biblical instance of a dead person being restored to life our proofs of God's spirit in Ezekiel.
I think you will enjoy these next chapters as God demonstrates his power and reminds Ezekiel that we are not alone in this battle against Satan and his minions. We fight the battle against evil accompanied by a host of heavenly beings and with all the resources of God and his mighty power.
Looking forward to the return of Spring in a couple of days and to hearing Sara Howard on Sunday morning. God bless you in your work this week!
God raises up prophets during these years, men like Jehu who speak to these kings on behalf of God and who warn them of the great danger they and their followers are in, but for the most part, the lure of sin is too strong and wine, women and song win out over righteousness and fidelity to God. The end result will be the disenfranchisement of Israel and later Judah. One of the lessons for us is that God will not be mocked and while it may take several generations for the price of evil to be paid in full, a fall will come and a nation will implode and the mantle will be passed to someone else who will have an opportunity to live a life that God can bless and use to restore humanity.
When we see the phrase, "walked in the ways of Jeroboam" we can conclude that the person did evil in the sight of God. Jeroboam becomes synonymous with evil in the history of Israel.
Evil can become so entrenched in a culture that it is normalized. this is a great danger for America. Think how difficult it is to keep the sabbath. Think about how we have worked so hard at being inclusive that we have minimized Christianity. Think about how practices that would be anathema to God are allowable because of our desire to protect the rights of self. I love freedom, but human freedom and can lead us to places that endanger our immortal souls. That is what happens to Israel and to Judah.
We are introduced to Ahab, often thought of as the most vile king to rule in Israel. He builds Jericho and Samaria. Remember when Jericho was destroyed by Joshua God commanded that it would never be rebuilt. Sin upon sin is committed by those who lead. Ahab marries Jezebel (please don't name your daughter Jezebel). Jezebel is evil and introduces awful things to Israel. It is believed that sexual images were built as idols and worshiped in the groves and high places. Sodom and Gomorrah have returned! In this context God raises up one of the most famous of prophets, a man named Ezekiel. Chapter 17 takes pains to let us know how powerful God's influence is in this mans life. Much of what we read in the next few days will be about God's use in bringing down Ahab and Jezebel. See the mighty hand of God at work as God provides for Ezekiel by catering to him with the ravens and a poor widow woman. the miracle of the flour and oil and the 1st biblical instance of a dead person being restored to life our proofs of God's spirit in Ezekiel.
I think you will enjoy these next chapters as God demonstrates his power and reminds Ezekiel that we are not alone in this battle against Satan and his minions. We fight the battle against evil accompanied by a host of heavenly beings and with all the resources of God and his mighty power.
Looking forward to the return of Spring in a couple of days and to hearing Sara Howard on Sunday morning. God bless you in your work this week!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
1 kings 10-14
Solomon, the wisest man in the world. Made supernaturally wise by the gift of God and yet in all his wisdom and all his wealth he could not withstand the temptation of the world. God's promise to Israel before they crossed the Jordan to possess this land of Milk and Honey can be found in Deuteronomy 28: "If you obey my edicts, observe my commandments, walk in my way; the Lord will bless you and set you high above the nations of the earth. All the people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord and they will fear you." That is exactly where Israel and Solomon are. Enormous wealth, enormous power and the wisdom of the ages. Great kings and queens like Sheba come to learn from Solomon and to honor them with the wealth of their lands. In gold alone, Solomon receives the equivalent of mare than $250,000,000 per year. Silver is so plentiful that is as common as stones. There has never been a nation like this before or a King that is so respected and revered.
We look at wealth as a blessing from God, but too much money can cause you to think that you can ignore God and that is what Solomon did. 700 wives and 300 concubines. Israel was commanded not to marry foreign women. You know the reason by now! God knew that those foreign women would bring their foreign gods with them and Israel would be converted to Idolatry and here it is again. The wises king in the world introduces the worship of Molech and Chemosh and the return of the Astoreths to Israel. Altars are raised on the high places and God condemns the great sin of Solomon and determines that Israel will be taken from his hands following his death. Jeoboam, one of his building foremen will be the instrument of the nations division. God has looked into the heart of Solomon and determined that he is no longer as his father, David, was....a man after God's on heart.....Israel has fallen from grace.
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, quickly proves that he is not as wise as his father was as he threatens the people with harsh taxes and forced labor. 10 of the 12 tribes rebel against Rehoboam and under the leadership of Jeroboam split from Judah and form their own nation. The10 tribes are known as Israel and the 2 that remain loyal to Rehoboam are called Judah.
Jeroboam proves to be an ungodly man by instituting a new religion that includes worshipping at a new temple built at Shechem. the worship includes two images of golden calves......just like the ones that Aaron made while Moses was on mount Sinai......must we continue to make the mistakes of our fathers? Will we ever learn that God means what he says and does what he says? There sin is so great that God promises that Israel will be no more. It took awhile but 300 years later, Israel is carried off into exile and is never and independent state again until more than 2500 years later when the United Nations create the independent nation of Israel in 1948.
Judah does not fare much better under the leadership of Rehoboam. He allows temple prostitutes and foreign gods as well. Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. that statement will become a mantra among future kings who seem unwilling or unable to honor God and keep his commandments. Egypt defeats Judah and carries off all of the great treasures of the temple that David and Solomon had acquired. In such a short time the wealth and prestige of Israel is no more.
For much of the rest of our Old Testament reading we will be learning of the downward spiral of what God had hoped would be a light to the world. It is a sad story of lost opportunity and blessing. Let us pray that we can learn the lessons that the Old Testament would teach us and that we would be wiser in how we lead our lives and honor God.
Hope you had a blessed Sabbath and that the week ahead will be one of blessing and opportunity.
We look at wealth as a blessing from God, but too much money can cause you to think that you can ignore God and that is what Solomon did. 700 wives and 300 concubines. Israel was commanded not to marry foreign women. You know the reason by now! God knew that those foreign women would bring their foreign gods with them and Israel would be converted to Idolatry and here it is again. The wises king in the world introduces the worship of Molech and Chemosh and the return of the Astoreths to Israel. Altars are raised on the high places and God condemns the great sin of Solomon and determines that Israel will be taken from his hands following his death. Jeoboam, one of his building foremen will be the instrument of the nations division. God has looked into the heart of Solomon and determined that he is no longer as his father, David, was....a man after God's on heart.....Israel has fallen from grace.
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, quickly proves that he is not as wise as his father was as he threatens the people with harsh taxes and forced labor. 10 of the 12 tribes rebel against Rehoboam and under the leadership of Jeroboam split from Judah and form their own nation. The10 tribes are known as Israel and the 2 that remain loyal to Rehoboam are called Judah.
Jeroboam proves to be an ungodly man by instituting a new religion that includes worshipping at a new temple built at Shechem. the worship includes two images of golden calves......just like the ones that Aaron made while Moses was on mount Sinai......must we continue to make the mistakes of our fathers? Will we ever learn that God means what he says and does what he says? There sin is so great that God promises that Israel will be no more. It took awhile but 300 years later, Israel is carried off into exile and is never and independent state again until more than 2500 years later when the United Nations create the independent nation of Israel in 1948.
Judah does not fare much better under the leadership of Rehoboam. He allows temple prostitutes and foreign gods as well. Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. that statement will become a mantra among future kings who seem unwilling or unable to honor God and keep his commandments. Egypt defeats Judah and carries off all of the great treasures of the temple that David and Solomon had acquired. In such a short time the wealth and prestige of Israel is no more.
For much of the rest of our Old Testament reading we will be learning of the downward spiral of what God had hoped would be a light to the world. It is a sad story of lost opportunity and blessing. Let us pray that we can learn the lessons that the Old Testament would teach us and that we would be wiser in how we lead our lives and honor God.
Hope you had a blessed Sabbath and that the week ahead will be one of blessing and opportunity.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
1 Kings 7-9
Interesting stuff.....Solomon took 7 years to build the temple and then 13 years to build his palace. Kind of makes you wonder about priorities doesn't it? God always expects the best of us and from us....that is one of the reasons for the Mosaic law. It detailed what an acceptable sacrifice was.....no blemish! First fruits meant what we had in the beginning, not what is left over. It is always interesting to think about how a piece of furniture that is no longer needed in someone's home becomes perfectly acceptable in the church. Is that our best for our God?
I did think that the detail about the two columns that were built at the entrance to the temple were interesting. The are so big that they are given names. One is Jachin and the other Boaz. Consider the meanings of the names. Jachin means "he shall establish". Boaz means "In his strength". Now consider that ever time that the offerings are made in the court before the people, the priest is standing between these columns. Here is the visual reminder that God has established this place in his strength. Cool....isn't it.
The sea that is spoken of is a great vat for water that is used to perform ceremonial cleansing of the priests. It is estimated that it held 2500 gallons of water. That was a sea!
The temple is filled with all of the instruments that are crafted not just by Solomon, but those artifacts that David collected for that purpose as well. Even though David was not permitted to build the temple it was on his heart. He collected art and treasures that would later be moved into the temple.
Solomon has the ark of the covenant brought the temple in Jerusalem and when all is in place the Shekinah Glory, the presence of God fills the temple so that the priests are unable to perform their duties. Why? Because in the presence of the most high God, the priests are keenly aware of their sin and cannot stand before God. It is the same cloud of Glory that God spoke from when he gave the 10 commandments. The same Cloud of Glory that stood at the door of the tabernacle in the wilderness. The same cloud of glory that the New Testament speaks of when Jesus ascends into a cloud of glory. And perhaps it is the same cloud of glory that, one day, Jesus will return from when he comes to claim his bride, the church, in the end days.
Solomon prays his great prayer and when it is concluded God speaks to Solomon as he did in the beginning of his reign when Solomon prayed for wisdom. God reminds Solomon that as long as he and Israel walk before him and keep his commandments, he will preserve them and bless them. But if they fail in their responsibilities as God's chosen, then God will not preserve them and bless them. As we read on in our Bible study we will see how that plays out in just another generation or two.
Perhaps one of the failures of Israel was not being able to keep God and the temple separate in their minds. The temple becomes so important that they forget to keep God's ways. When that happens the temple becomes an Idol. We must be careful of this behavior as well. The church is a building and it is sacred only so long as those who are a part of it are worshiping and serving God. When caring for the building is more important than caring for God....God is no longer in the house. Let us pray and work that God would not only be in the house but that his Glory would be visible to all those who call on his name. Hope to see you on the Sabbath. God bless you!!
I did think that the detail about the two columns that were built at the entrance to the temple were interesting. The are so big that they are given names. One is Jachin and the other Boaz. Consider the meanings of the names. Jachin means "he shall establish". Boaz means "In his strength". Now consider that ever time that the offerings are made in the court before the people, the priest is standing between these columns. Here is the visual reminder that God has established this place in his strength. Cool....isn't it.
The sea that is spoken of is a great vat for water that is used to perform ceremonial cleansing of the priests. It is estimated that it held 2500 gallons of water. That was a sea!
The temple is filled with all of the instruments that are crafted not just by Solomon, but those artifacts that David collected for that purpose as well. Even though David was not permitted to build the temple it was on his heart. He collected art and treasures that would later be moved into the temple.
Solomon has the ark of the covenant brought the temple in Jerusalem and when all is in place the Shekinah Glory, the presence of God fills the temple so that the priests are unable to perform their duties. Why? Because in the presence of the most high God, the priests are keenly aware of their sin and cannot stand before God. It is the same cloud of Glory that God spoke from when he gave the 10 commandments. The same Cloud of Glory that stood at the door of the tabernacle in the wilderness. The same cloud of glory that the New Testament speaks of when Jesus ascends into a cloud of glory. And perhaps it is the same cloud of glory that, one day, Jesus will return from when he comes to claim his bride, the church, in the end days.
Solomon prays his great prayer and when it is concluded God speaks to Solomon as he did in the beginning of his reign when Solomon prayed for wisdom. God reminds Solomon that as long as he and Israel walk before him and keep his commandments, he will preserve them and bless them. But if they fail in their responsibilities as God's chosen, then God will not preserve them and bless them. As we read on in our Bible study we will see how that plays out in just another generation or two.
Perhaps one of the failures of Israel was not being able to keep God and the temple separate in their minds. The temple becomes so important that they forget to keep God's ways. When that happens the temple becomes an Idol. We must be careful of this behavior as well. The church is a building and it is sacred only so long as those who are a part of it are worshiping and serving God. When caring for the building is more important than caring for God....God is no longer in the house. Let us pray and work that God would not only be in the house but that his Glory would be visible to all those who call on his name. Hope to see you on the Sabbath. God bless you!!
Friday, April 1, 2011
1 Kings 4-6
Peace and Prosperity fill the land of Israel during the reign of Solomon. He builds a government much like what we would expect today. He has governors and administrators and other officials all with work to do. Not too much so as to feel oppressed. In fact, the 12 governors had responsibility to provide supplies for the King and his court only 1 month of the year. But what a huge supply of food was required. Some commentators estimate that the food mentioned in 1 Kings 4 is enough to feed 20,000 or more people daily. Now that is a big fellowship dinner!
This is the "golden" age of Israel. The are at peace and enjoy great political prestige in all of the world because of the wisdom of their King. He is a poet, a song writer, a great politician, a student of the natural sciences; in short he is equipped with wisdom from on high, which was, as you know, exactly what he had prayed for.
Interesting statement that each of the kings officers accomplished his work "according to his charge." Isn't that exactly how the church is to work with each member called by God to perform work according to his gift? Paul speaks of this in the New Testament and when all work with a singular purpose in mind (proclaiming the good news of Jesus?), each providing according to his gifts, the body of Christ grows in stature and influence and the Kingdom of God comes near at hand.
The building of the temple must have been an awesome thing to see. Seven years in the making with the finest lumber imported from Lebanon. 30,000 men working in Lebanon with the timber, 80,000 men in the quarries laboring with the stone, 70,000 laborers used to carry materials, 3300 men managing all of the phases of the construction. What a monumental project!!
When they were completed the Temple was 110 feet long by 50 feet wide by 45 feet high. Built with the finest cedar and olive wood and gold inlay throughout. Remember that the people did not enter the temple. they gathered in the courtyard. The temple was for the work of the priests and only the High Priest entered the most holy place. It would certainly have been something to see. And you can imagine that when Jerusalem was conquered by the Persians and the Babylonians; the great wealth in the temple was choice pickings for looters.
Perhaps God was right in directing the Israelites to build him a tent for his tabernacle. It had served Israel for 400 years before the erection of the temple.
This is the "golden" age of Israel. The are at peace and enjoy great political prestige in all of the world because of the wisdom of their King. He is a poet, a song writer, a great politician, a student of the natural sciences; in short he is equipped with wisdom from on high, which was, as you know, exactly what he had prayed for.
Interesting statement that each of the kings officers accomplished his work "according to his charge." Isn't that exactly how the church is to work with each member called by God to perform work according to his gift? Paul speaks of this in the New Testament and when all work with a singular purpose in mind (proclaiming the good news of Jesus?), each providing according to his gifts, the body of Christ grows in stature and influence and the Kingdom of God comes near at hand.
The building of the temple must have been an awesome thing to see. Seven years in the making with the finest lumber imported from Lebanon. 30,000 men working in Lebanon with the timber, 80,000 men in the quarries laboring with the stone, 70,000 laborers used to carry materials, 3300 men managing all of the phases of the construction. What a monumental project!!
When they were completed the Temple was 110 feet long by 50 feet wide by 45 feet high. Built with the finest cedar and olive wood and gold inlay throughout. Remember that the people did not enter the temple. they gathered in the courtyard. The temple was for the work of the priests and only the High Priest entered the most holy place. It would certainly have been something to see. And you can imagine that when Jerusalem was conquered by the Persians and the Babylonians; the great wealth in the temple was choice pickings for looters.
Perhaps God was right in directing the Israelites to build him a tent for his tabernacle. It had served Israel for 400 years before the erection of the temple.
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