I Chronicles 22
David reveals location of future Temple verse 1
Then David said
This is the house of the LORD God
and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel
David provides workers and material verse 2- 4
And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the
land of Israel – and he set masons to hew wrought stones to
build the house of God
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates
and for the joining – and brass in abundance without weight
also cedar trees in abundance
for the Sidonians and they of Tyre
brought much cedar wood to David
David designates Solomon as his successor verse 5
And David
said
Solomon my son is young and tender
and the house that is to be built for the LORD
must be exceeding magnificent
of fame and of glory throughout all countries
I will therefore now make preparation for it
So David prepared abundantly before his death
David charged Solomon to build Temple verse 6- 10
Then he called for Solomon his son
and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel
And David
said to Solomon
My son – as for me – it was in my mind to build a house
to the name of the LORD my God
But the word of the LORD came to me
saying
You have shed blood abundantly – and have made great wars
you shall not build a house unto MY name
BECAUSE you have shed much blood upon the
earth in MY sight
Behold – a son shall be born to you
who shall be a man of rest
And I will give him rest from all his enemies
round about – for his name shall be Solomon
And I will give peace and quietness to Israel
in his days
He shall build a house for MY name
and he shall be MY son – and I will be his father
and I will establish the throne of his
kingdom over Israel for ever
David instructs Solomon verse 11- 13
Now – my son – the LORD be with you
and prosper you
and build the house of the LORD your God
as HE has said of you
Only the LORD give you wisdom and understanding
and give you change concerning Israel
that you may keep the law of the LORD your God
Then shall you prosper – if you take heed
to fulfill the statutes and judgments
which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel
be strong and of good courage
dread not – nor be dismayed
David lists his provision for Temple verse 14- 16
Now – behold – in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD
an hundred thousand talents of gold
a thousand thousand talents of silver
and of brass and iron without weight for it is in abundance
timber also and stone have I prepared
and you may add thereof
Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance
hewers and workers of stone and timber
and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work
of the gold – silver – brass – iron – there is no number
Arise therefore – and be doing – and the LORD be with you
David challenges leaders verse 17- 19
David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son
saying
Is not the LORD your God with you?
and has HE not given you rest on every side?
for HE has given the inhabitants of the land into
mine hand
and the land is subdued before the LORD
and before HIS people
Now set your heart and your soul
to seek the LORD your God
Arise therefore – and build you the sanctuary of the LORD God
to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD
and the holy vessels of God – into the house that is
to be built to the name of the LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. (1431 “magnificent” [gadal] means to cause to be of major significance or importance, perhaps sometimes implying greatness of size as well, to make great, to magnify, to do great things, or show oneself great.)
DEVOTION: Fathers should evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their children. They should be involved in help them find their vocation in the adult life. This takes giving their children experiences where they can succeed and fail at time.
My father was not around to give me these opportunities. Many of the things I had to learn on my own. I found that I enjoyed reading and once I became a believer felt the call to ministry. I had to depend on others to encourage me in this life work.
Once we see what the LORD can do with an individual, we know how to give them opportunities to advance their work gift. One of my sons is very good with his hands and can figure out almost any project he sets his mind to whether is house repairs or car repairs. He has done it all. He started at a young age fixing his own car and helping his aunt with parking a camper. I cannot back up a trailer to save my life.
I have another son and daughter who are good with their minds to figure out what needs to be done and do it. They learn a lot from books as well. My final son is a good speaker and has been called to the ministry where he has been for over ten years. People who listen to him preach tell of his improvement over the years.
Each of us have to see where our children excel and open doors for them to do what the LORD has gifted them to do.
I am proud of my four children and how they are raising their children to know the LORD. They are not perfect but neither am I and we have to remember that as parents and grandparents. We are never to give up on our children until the day we die. So prayers and encourage should be our goal.
Too many parents have nothing good to say about their children or neglect their children for their own personal pleasure. If these parent claim to be followers of Christ they will have to pay for their actions. David encouraged Solomon. David tried to work with his other children but didn’t have a good success record. Sometimes no matter how hard we try some are not where they should be with the LORD. Never give up trying and bringing them before the LORD. I am for all those who have come under my care. All my children are workers!!
When the Temple was built it was to show the majesty of the LORD above all the false gods of the world. It was to being honor and glory to the LORD alone. We are HIS temple today and we need to manifest HIS majesty with our lives with HIS help each day.
CHALLENGE: Are we manifesting the glory of the LORD with our lives each day? Do people see Jesus Christ in us on a regular basis? We are not perfect but forgiven sinners who want to give glory to the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars: you shall not build an house to MY name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in MY sight. (7230 “abundantly” [rob] means greatness, much, plenty, multitude, the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply, or long time.)
DEVOTION: David was known for his wars instead of having a kingdom at peace. He had to battle many nations to gain the upper hand in his own land. Too many nations were invading Israel and he had to fight to keep the land and to keep the other nations away from it.
Now it was time to build the Temple but the LORD told him that his son would build it because he was a man of war and his son would have peace because of his father’s victories.
David prepared for the building of the Temple but he was not able to do it as the LORD was the one that he was obeying.
Too often we want to run ahead of God and do things that HE doesn’t want us to do because of one reason or another. We have to be open to closed doors as David had to be open to not being able to build the Temple.
This hurt him but he understood God’s thinking on this matter and we have to do the same in our lives. We have to be open to whatever the LORD wants us to do but also open to those things that HE doesn’t want us to do.
CHALLENGE: Understanding which is which, is a matter of prayer in our life. Allow the LORD to lead you.
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: 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest: and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. (4496 “rest” [manuwchah] means place of quiet, harmonious relations and freedom from disputes, especially during the absence of war, quieting, calming, or ease.)
DEVOTION: This is a play on words. The name of Solomon means peace. The LORD is promising to give the nation rest from wars and peace during the reign of Solomon.
His father was a man of war and because of the blood that he has shed the LORD didn’t want him building a Temple in HIS honor. Remember that the LORD was the one who gave David all the victories that he had fought. The LORD forgave David’s sins on a regular basis during his time period before he became king over Israel. However, there are consequences to actions taking during our lifetime that affect our future service to the LORD. There are some projects or occupations that we will not be able to do because of our past. It would be great if there were no consequences to our actions but we would never grow in the LORD without them according to the Word of God. We grow through trials and temptations. We show where we are spiritually through these life experiences.
Now we find that David’s son is allowed to complete the project his father started. David didn’t sit around and do nothing because he was not going to be the one to build the Temple. He helped in the preparations in a great way which made the project easier for Solomon.
When we are living in a time period of peace we need to make sure we are working for the LORD in a way that will help the next generation do better service to the LORD.
We are never to sit on the sidelines when there are things we can do to make the future better for those who will be serving the LORD. Never give up on your gifts the LORD has given you even it means retooling to go through open doors that are different.
CHALLENGE: We need to rest in the LORD while we serve HIM. HE is the one who will give us direction as to the work HE wants us to do with our lives.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 12 Only the LORD gave you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. (998 “understanding” [biynah] means knowledge, meaning, discernment or wisdom.)
DEVOTION: The book of James in the New Testament instructs us to go to the LORD if we lack wisdom and HE will give it to us. To be a good representative of the LORD we need to daily ask for wisdom. Parents need to instruct their children where to get the right kind of wisdom. That wisdom comes from above or from the LORD.
David was typical of most fathers. He wanted to help his son build a life. Part of the life was the responsibility to build the Temple of the LORD. David was preparing the material for the temple and preparing his son, Solomon, to be king. David told his other sons to help Solomon with the building of the Temple.
David told Solomon that he needed to have discernment in the office of king. Each father would like his son to have wisdom and discernment from the LORD. David wanted his son to honor the LORD. When Solomon became king, he prayed for discernment as his father told him he should.
We need to listen to our fathers when they have wisdom from the LORD to share. Some think that their fathers are not very smart people. Some fathers are not followers of the LORD.
God’s word says that children need to honor their parents and that includes those who are not followers of the LORD. It may be that those fathers will follow the LORD because of the testimony of the son.
David was a good father regarding this advice he gave his son. Our heavenly Father has more wisdom available to us IF we ask HIM for it. Remember if we lack wisdom, we need to ask the LORD.
Fathers are going to be held accountable for the instructions that happen in the home. Fathers are to be the leaders in the home. Fathers are to be the spiritual leaders by conducting family worship times. Children need direction. Are you giving Biblical instructions in your home?
CHALLENGE: Remember no father is perfect but you can try to train your children to face the world with a Christian worldview!!!
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: 16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD is with you. (6965 “Arise” [quwm] means raise, establish, stand up, perform, confirm, to rise to one’s feet, endure or become powerful.)
DEVOTION: It is thought that David had made Solomon a co-regent in a private ceremony with his leaders. He was giving him instructions regarding the building of the Temple as he was given this responsibility before the death of David.
David explained what he had done to get things ready for the building of the Temple and charged Solomon with doing the rest while he was still alive.
Solomon had all the tools at his disposal to build the Temple as the co-regent or someone who was reigning alongside his father. His orders would be the same as his father’s during this time period but he would not be ruling the nation. There had not be a public ceremony to make him king.
With the wisdom the LORD had given him he was to begin the work. He was not to wait. He was commanded by his father to stand up and be counted on for this project.
Fathers want to help their sons and daughters to success in their service to the LORD. David didn’t want to wait too long before he set the building of the Temple in motion and helped his son make sure it was done properly. Just as Moses had the blueprint for the Tabernacle in the wilderness David had the plan for the building of the Temple given to him by the LORD.
Our lives have a blueprint made in heaven before the foundation of the world. God knows those who will make a decision before they know it but everyone has a choice and cannot blame God for not being a believer. It is their choice but HE is sovereign and knows the past, present and future of every individual who enters into this world. It is hard to understand but we have to know that HE loves HIS children and is with them just as HE was with Solomon.
David knew this fact and we need to know and understand it as well. HE has a plan for our life and HE is working HIS plan. Seek HIS guidance each step of the way through obedience in all the work we do for HIM.
CHALLENGE: David challenged his son and we need to challenge our children and grandchildren to live for the LORD. This takes place with much prayer.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
David gathered resources for future Temple verse 2- 5, 14- 16
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
House of the LORD God verse 1, 6, 11, 14
Altar of the burnt offering verse 1
House of God verse 2
Build the sanctuary verse 19
Holy vessels of God verse 19
Ark of the covenant verse 19
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORD verse 8
Law of the LORD your God verse 12
Statutes verse 13
Judgments verse 13
Moses verse 13
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 5- 8, 11- 14,
16, 18, 19
God – Elohim (Creator) verse 1, 2, 6, 7, 11,
12, 18, 19
House of the LORD God verse 1
House of God verse 2
House of the LORD God of Israel verse 6
LORD my God verse 7
Word of the LORD verse 8
Sight of the LORD verse 8
God promises peace and quietness verse 9
God will establish throne of Solomon verse 10
House of the LORD thy God verse 11
LORD thy God verse 11, 12
Law of the LORD thy God verse 12
Give Solomon wisdom and understanding verse 12
LORD your God verse 18
Given rest on every side
Sanctuary of the LORD God verse 19
Ark of the covenant of the LORD verse 19
Name of the LORD verse 19
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Strangers verse 2
Zidonians verse 4
Tyre verse 4
Brought much cedar wood
Countries verse 5
Enemies verse 9
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Dread verse 13
Being dismayed verse 13
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Rest verse 9, 18
Peace verse 9
Quietness verse 9
Presence of the LORD verse 11, 16, 18
Proper verse 11, 13
Communication with the LORD verse 11
Wisdom verse 12
Understanding verse 12
Keep the law of the LORD thy God verse 12
Be strong verse 13
Good courage verse 13
Dread not verse 13
Be not dismayed verse 13
Service needed in our lives verse 16
Seek the LORD verse 19
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
David verse 1- 19
Gathered strangers in land of Israel
Prepared iron in abundance
Brass in abundance without weight
Cedar trees in abundance
Couldn’t build temple because he shed
blood abundantly and made great wars
Shed blood abundantly
Made great wars
Told Solomon to be strong and of good courage
dread not – nor be dismayed
Provided money for building of Temple
4,000 tons of gold
40,000 tons of silver
Iron and bronze without weigh
Hewers of wood
Skilled stonemasons and carpenters,
Craftsmen
LORD had given rest on every side to
Solomon
Told Solomon to seek the LORD
To bring ark of the
covenant of the LORD
Israel verse 1, 2
Land of Israel
Masons to hew wrought stones
Solomon = man of rest verse 5, 7- 9, 17- 19
Man of rest
LORD give wisdom and understanding
Build the house of the LORD your God
Prosper
Need to heed statutes and judgments of God
Told by David to set his heart and soul
to seek the LORD your God
Build the sanctuary of the LORD
Bring the ark of the covenant
holy vessels of God
House of the LORD to be magnifical verse 5
Moses verse 13
Princes of Israel verse 17
To help Solomon
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
David prepared abundantly before his death verse 5
Throne of David’s decedents for ever verse 10
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QUOTES regarding passage
God gave David the plans for the temple (1 Chron. 28:11–12, 19) just as He had given Moses the plans for the tabernacle (Ex. 25:40). When you are going to do something for the Lord on earth, be sure you get the plans from heaven. And if the Lord won’t let you do something that is really on your heart, try to help the other person do it. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (1 Ch 22:1–19). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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So, David gave Solomon the wealth to build the temple, the plans, the workers, and the cooperation of the princes of the land (vv. 17–19). But the “heart” of the matter was the heart of Solomon (v. 19). If Solomon’s heart was right with God, then God would bless his endeavors. There is nothing “automatic” about the service of the Lord. If we are right with Him, He will prosper our efforts (Josh. 1:8; Matt. 6:33). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (1 Ch 22:1–19). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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David reminded Solomon of all the preparations he had already made for the Temple (22:14–16) and expressed his hope that God would give Solomon wisdom, courage, and a pure heart as he began this important project (22:12–13). (Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington’s Bible handbook (p. 246). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)
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19 David’s goal, expressed here to the leaders of Israel, of bringing “the ark of the covenant … into the temple” was in fact to be accomplished in 2 Chronicles 5:7, and this act would mark the achievement of all his various efforts on its behalf, and on God’s behalf, as so far described throughout chapters 13, 15, 16, 17, and now 22. (Payne, J. B. (1988). 1, 2 Chronicles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 412). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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David here engages the princes of Israel to assist Solomon in the great work he had to do, and every one to lend him a hand towards the carrying of it on. Those that are in the throne cannot do the good they would, unless those about the throne set in with them. David would therefore have the princes to advise Solomon and quicken him, and make the work as easy to him as they could, by promoting it every one in his place. 1. He shows them what obligations they lay under to be zealous in this matter, in gratitude to God for the great things he had done for them. He had given them victory, and rest, and a good land for an inheritance, v. 18. The more God has done for us the more we should study to do for him. 2. He presses that upon them which should make them zealous in it (v. 19): “Set your heart and soul to seek God, place your happiness in his favour, and keep your eye upon his glory. Seek him as your chief good and highest end, and this with your heart and soul. Make religion your choice and business; and then you will grudge no pains nor cost to promote the building of his sanctuary.” Let but the heart be sincerely engaged for God, and the head and hand, the estate and interest, and all will be cheerfully employed for him. (Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 575). Peabody: Hendrickson.)
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22:17–19 Knowing that Solomon was young and inexperienced (22:5) and that he could not undertake this colossal project alone, David wisely enlisted the loyalty and help of his leaders to transfer their allegiance to Solomon who would carry out the divine will and the last wishes of his father. The Lord undertook to make Solomon the wisest man on earth (cf. 1Ki 3:3–14). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ch 22:17–19). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 19. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God, &c.] His honour and glory, most sincerely and cordially, and to the utmost of their power: arise ye, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God; assist therein, and encourage the work as much as they were able, without delay: to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord; which was now in a tent of David’s erecting and pitching: and the holy vessels of God: which were in the tabernacle at Gibeon: into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord: that so they might be together, and made use of; which in times past had been separated, and much neglected. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 33). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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On Being A Pastor by Derek J. Prime & Alistair Begg
But those who have known the Spirit’s blessing most in ministry have been most aware of their need to study the Scriptures in secret with His help. (p. 97)
David Brainerd, an early missionary to the North American Indians, found that study could feed his pride. When on one occasion opportunities for study were much more difficult to find than before, he concluded, “the reason, I judge, why I am not allowed to study a great part of my time is, because I am endeavouring to lay in such a stock of knowledge as shall nourish self-sufficiency.” (p. 98)
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Christ’s flock on earth depends upon its undershepherds to lead it into the fresh pastures of God’s Word. (p. 98)
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The king to success in study is that we always study with a view to our own obedience first. (p. 99)
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Teaching from the lips of those who fail to lvie in the good of what they teach soon lacks the ring of reality. (p. 99)
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To understand the Lord’s response to the people building the tower of Babel, consider the command God gave Noah and his descendants in Genesis 9:1: “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’ “
In apparent disobedience, the people stayed in one place and began to build a monument to themselves. In response, God confused their languages and scattered the people over the face of the earth.
God deals with disobedience in different ways. Sometimes He lets us go our own way and suffer the natural consequences of our sin. At other times the issue is a major part of His program, and it cannot be ignored.
Disobedience always has a price, and in the end God always has His way. Obedience, then, while not always easy, is always wise. God always acts for the ultimate benefit of His children. (Quiet Walk)
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If by Any Means
“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:11)
The usage of this seemingly insignificant phrase, “if by any means” (Greek ei pos), follows a significant order of development in the New Testament. Occurring only four times, it is used to express the urgency of an object sought and the background needs and means for its attainment.
The context of the first occurrence is the presumed need for physical comfort and security. “Because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter” (Acts 27:12). This particular goal, however, was never attained.
The second is a more noble object, that of reaching an area of spiritual ministry. “Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,” Paul said. “Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you . . . that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift” (Romans 1:9-11).
The next occurrence speaks in even greater urgency, the object being the conversion of Paul’s Jewish brethren. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. . . . If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (Romans 11:13-14).
The final occurrence is in today’s verse, speaking of the supreme importance of a Christ-centered life: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). By all means, therefore, we should, like Paul, seek to live for Christ, minister to others, and win souls for Him. HMM (The Institute of Creation Research)
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One of the most important effects of embracing a deliberate, self-conscious Christian worldview, and losing the sacred-secular distinction so many Christians have absorbed from the world around us, is seeing the depth, the breadth, and the width of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every sphere of life. Once we see life this way, our understanding of serving Jesus is radically re-shaped in light of the unassailable, undefeatable, and advancing Kingdom of God.
Once Chuck Colson embraced that vision of the Christian life, he poured it into every single BreakPoint commentary, each and every day, desperate to help Christians think clearly about cultural issues and trends from a Christian worldview.
And, during the last decade of his life, Colson decided that the best way He could advance this vision would be replication. That’s why he invited Christians to study with him through what is now called the Colson Fellows Program. Inviting Christians to take a deep dive into Christian worldview over a ten-month course of study, trained and mentored by top Christian authors and thinkers, he saw class after class of Christians become the kind of culture-shaping leaders that could look at the world around them, effectively analyze, critique, and discern what was happening, and become catalysts of cultural influence and change for Jesus Christ.
What makes the Colson Fellows Program so different and so vital is that it’s not just an exercise in learning new things, as important as that is. Commissioned Colson Fellows are, well, commissioned. Because the training includes a teaching project, a three-year planning process, and self-inventory on who God has made them to be, they are able to apply a Christian worldview in real-world, practical ways.
Here’s how the program works: Those who are accepted learn how to articulate and defend biblical truth in the marketplace of ideas through intensive instruction on worldview and cultural analysis. They read both Christian classics and the best contemporary writers, many of whom they interact with on frequent webinars. Colson Center faculty includes folks such as Os Guinness, Joni Eareckson Tada, Dr. Glenn Sunshine, J. Warner Wallace, Jennifer Marshall, and Scott Klusendorf.
And, in what may be the best part, Colson Fellows study together, either in one of 45 Regional Cohorts around the country or, for those with no local cohort available, through one of our Online Cohorts. So we have doctors and business professionals learning alongside of academics and lawyers, who are also learning alongside of pastors and educators. The cross-pollination of applied faith is rich, indeed. (Break Point)
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1 Kings 8
Solomon leads the people into a grand dedication ceremony for the new temple.
INSIGHT
The phenomenal blessings that God pours out on Israel have a purpose beyond merely blessing them. In fact, God wants other nations to see His favor on Israel and desire to know Him because of what they witness in the lives of His people
This truth is reflected when Solomon prays that “the Lord our God be with us . . . [so] that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other” (vv. 57, 60). David understands this principle also when he writes in Psalms 67:7: “God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.” And today God wants to bless us spiritually that others may see Christ in us and be drawn to Him. (Quiet Walk)
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DANGERS OF A SLOPPY AGE
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked…
Revelation 3:17
We are living in an age that dislikes precision and definitions. It is an age that is anti-theological, anti-doctrinal and which dislikes propositions and exact knowledge. It is a lazy age in every respect, a sentimental, sloppy age, an age that wants entertainment and dislikes effort. This tendency shows itself in many ways which are generally very plausible.
One way is to say that Christianity is something that is so wonderful that it cannot be defined, that it baffles analysis or any attempt to state it in propositions. It cannot be done, they say. You experience it marvelous and wonderful! But if you try to analyze it, then you destroy it, there is nothing left.
Another way is this: that Christianity is only a matter of one’s spirit. What makes us Christians is our spirit, and if we have an appropriate spirit, then we are Christians. Christianity is an attitude, a view of life, a general statement concerning our personality and our being. There was a slogan not so long ago which said, “Christianity is caught, not taught.” You catch the spirit. You feel it in the meeting and you get it. But what is it? Well, you do not know, but that does not matter. You have got it! That is the great thing and you feel much happier and much better than you did before.
If I may say so in passing, the thing that has given me greatest pleasure, and greatest encouragement of all the things I have ever been told that people say about my ministry, is this. It was said by a lady, who remonstrated, “This man preaches to us as if we were sinners!”
Quite so. “You see, you must not be searched, you must not be examined, you are all right. Of course, denounce those sinners who are outside, or those liberals, but, why, we are the people who are orthodox! We do not need that, we need instruction. We want these general lectures, these addresses, these character studies. How interesting, how nice. But we must not be disturbed. There is nothing wrong with us.”
And so such people, as you see everywhere in the Bible and in the history of the church, have always disliked anything that searches them, or makes them feel uncomfortable, or probes them.
A Thought to Ponder
People have always disliked anything that asks them to define their biblical foundation.
(From Saving Faith, a sermon on Romans 10:3 by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.)
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Israel’s Confession of Faith
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
As stated in the law, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 was to be recited by all Jews both morning and evening, for it contains God’s basic plan for passing on the message of God from generation to generation.
The primary teaching is contained in verse 4. There is only one God, indivisible, although in three persons. His divine uniqueness precludes the worship of any other deity. The response to this message is that we should love that God with our entire being. Jesus Christ recognized this as the first and greatest commandment (Mark 12:30), teaching that obedience to it fulfilled one’s duty to the entire law.
The message was so important that God even gave the mechanics for passing it on. In verse 6, we see that “these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” Each person, particularly parents (v. 7), needed a heart commitment to God’s commandments, statutes, and judgments (vv. 1-2).
Next, they had to commit themselves to raising up a godly heritage. “Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children” (v. 7). This teaching was to be first of all oral teaching. They were also to dress in such a way that it reflected their commitment to the law of God (v. 8), and they were to place visual reminders of the law of God all around their homes so that the children were constantly reminded of the things of God (v. 9).
Christians need to discover the truth of this passage. We must not merely assume the godly teaching of our children but also actively cultivate it. At stake is not only the personal walk of our children but also the eternal message of God.
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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After being informed of a 911 call from a concerned citizen, a police officer drove alongside the train tracks, shining his floodlight into the dark until he spotted the vehicle straddling the iron rails. The trooper’s dashboard camera captured the harrowing scene as a train barreled toward the car. “That train was coming fast,” the officer said, “Fifty to eighty miles per hour.” Acting without hesitation, he pulled an unconscious man from the car mere seconds before the train slammed into it.
Scripture reveals God as the One who rescues—often precisely when all seems lost. Trapped in Egypt and withering under suffocating oppression, the Israelites imagined no possibility for escape. In Exodus, however, we find God offering them words resounding with hope: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt,” He said. “I have heard them crying out . . . and I am concerned about their suffering” (3:7). And God not only saw—God acted. “I have come down to rescue them” (v. 8). God led Israel out of bondage. This was a divine rescue.
God’s rescue of Israel reveals God’s heart—and His power—to help all of us who are in need. He assists those of us who are destined for ruin unless God arrives to save us. Though our situation may be dire or impossible, we can lift our eyes and heart and watch for the One who loves to rescue. (Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread)
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