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Read 1 Kings 9
1 Kings 9:8-9 “And though this temple is now imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 9 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their fathers out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them – that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’” A building can display God’s character, but it does not make a church. In a glorious exhibition of a physical creation, God had used Solomon to reveal his grace, mercy and love for Israel. Then God personally consecrated the sanctuary. For years to come, the LORD used the inner Holy of Holies to communicate with a chosen priest on the Day of Atonement. People would come for the required festivals to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord wanted Israel to know he was with them to rule in his righteousness for their good. Just as we consider Jesus Christ to be our “personal Lord and Savior”, God was very personal with Solomon and Israel. He had opened heaven’s gates to grant Solomon extraordinary wealth. And Solomon’s wisdom to rule was of international reputation. Yet, the building, the wealth and the wisdom do not guarantee God’s presence will stay with Solomon and the generations to come. The king’s response to God’s personal gifts to him would influence the nation for generations to come. Would it be a response of faith to submit to God? Or would it be a response of self-indulgence and personal preference? The same is true for us. How do we respond to our personal relationship with Jesus? As we move toward the conclusion of Solomon’s life, what wisdom will we learn from Solomon’s response to God? A Good Response for You: 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Read 1 Kings 8
1 Kings 8:1-2 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. 2 All the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month. YOU might consider this entire chapter a worship service to the LORD. Three essential elements of worship are present here: the LORD’s presence, prayer and God’s Word spoken. This placing of the ark into the temple came at the Festival of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles. This was in the fall of the year to celebrate God’s care for Israel to shelter them for 40 years on their desert journey. It also remembered how God tabernacled (recall “tabernacle” is both an action word and a noun) with His people over the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle structure. The ark and the tabernacle have been in various places for centuries. At last God allows it to be moved to the new temple. God’s glory then fills the temple. The temple is the expansion of te expression of God to dwell with his people. What a wondrous joy to have God’s glory so visibly and powerfully present in his sanctuary. Oh, that the churches today could experience the LORD’s presence in this way! God has come in his personal power display. In response, Solomon prays for his nation and his people. He praises God, “there is no God like you” (v.23) and prays for the people’s obedience. The king desires God will judge Israel’s enemies and bring justice to the land. He prays all people of the earth will commit to God. And he prays for Israel to enter into God’s rest. As the worship concludes, there is great sacrifice. A repentant, joyful people are demonstrating their commitment to the LORD God, who has fulfilled his promise to build a temple and to dwell with them. This interlude of God’s glory come so visibly to earth illustrates his presence on earth through the Son and the Spirit. God’s glory came that Resurrection Day and began to fill the earth on Pentecost. The church is to be the expression of worship in response to God’s glory come down. Our future is to live with joy our lives are to be a sacrifice of praise to the LORD. He has come to dwell with us while he is preparing an eternal tabernacle in heaven. Our only appropriate response is to worship him in all he calls us to be. Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. Read 1 Kings 6-7
1 Kings 6:1 In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the Lord. Verse 38 In the eleventh year (of Solomon’s reign) in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it. 1 Kings 7:1 It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace. VERSE 1 is very important in the Old Testament timeline. A number of historical documents outside of the Bible have confirmed Solomon reigned from 971-931 BC. Thus, we know the exodus occurred in 1446 BC. This may seem irrelevant to the modern church, but it is very important. The historical accuracy helps us know God has moved through history with order and purpose. We can more easily defend our faith when we know facts of God’s activity in world events. This also helps us understand how the Jews date the birth of their nation. As we’ve mentioned at other times, the exodus is as the Christians’ Easter and Pentecost. Coming out of Egypt, Israel was born as a nation, and the exodus has influenced Israel’s entire history. Your Bible may have English standard measurements for the temple. It was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high. We read of the careful ways Solomon designed and constructed God’s earthly “house” with God’s glory in mind. The inner sanctuary is made to be an appropriate room for the ark of the covenant to be placed and for the priests to approach God. Chapter 7 tells us Solomon’s palace was about 30% larger than the temple. Its design gave the palace about five times the floor space. Why was Solomon’s palace larger than God’s temple? The daily operations and responsibility of the king required extensive storage of such items as food and weapons. But it seems there is unnecessary building. Why would Solomon’s wife, for example, need a separate home? Perhaps Solomon believed all this would praise and glorify God. Perhaps he was satisfying the desires of his wife born into Egyptian royalty. Maybe he didn’t know what else to do with his extraordinary wealth (see more in Sunday’s lesson). God gifts many people with wealth. He does so that the wealth will be used to build God’s kingdom in physical and spiritual ways to glorify the Provider. That is our lesson here. How do we make use of God’s gifts? Proverbs 17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? Read 1 Kings 2-3
1 Kings 3:3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 1 Kings 3:11-14 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” 1 Kings 3:14 “And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” OUR prior lesson looked at God’s grace to form and anoint Solomon to be king. Here is even a more personal act of God’s grace into Solomon’s life. He grants the gift of discernment – wisdom – to Solomon to care for his people. Solomon’s wisdom request is humble because he realizes his immaturity. Solomon humbly requests God’s counsel to lead the nation. How different our nations and world would be if our leaders had such desires. Verses 3 and 14 are separated because they remind us again God does not choose perfect people to his mission. Solomon obeyed God’s law except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. The worship in high places is a continual sin in Israel as it points to worship of nature and idols. This is a sin that affects Solomon throughout his life. Then note in verse 14 God points Solomon to obey my statutes and commands as David your father did. This is fascinating! After all, Solomon’s life is a stark reminder of David’s sins rooted in his affair with Bathsheba. And graciously, it is a reminder of God’s merciful forgiveness. After the son of the illicit union died, David accepted the LORD’s judgment. Then Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba. The redemptive power of God is clear. Out of darkness comes the light when we are contrite to confess, “I have sinned.” Once again, we see an example of how God uses sin as a tool to turn our hearts to his saving grace. Our Lord looks upon our sin; then he graciously gifts us with the knowledge of God. With faith on our lips, we confess. The Lord redeems us from the pit. Confessing in God’s power and forgiven in God’s power, we are anointed to serve in God’s power. Psalms 103:2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. |
AuthorBob James Archives
January 2025
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