"Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. " vv.6-7
Read chapter 10
Queen of Sheba. She was from Egypt and traveled all the way to Jerusalem to meet Solomon and hear his wisdom of rumors she had heard of being so great. Yet even the rumors of his wisdom did not nearly compare to the full awe and truth of his wisdom. Can you even imagine! All the riches Solomon had was nothing to her as was his wisdom, being more awestruck and infatuated with truth than any earthly thing. Surely this wisdom showed her of the true God that Solomon followed. We read of Jesus referring to her in Luke 11 of her inquiring after God yet with God right in front of them they did not care, "The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here."
How far would you travel to hear God's wisdom (if you didn't have the Bible)? Would you take a couple months trip just to hear? Would you even travel down the block or to the next city? Have you be captivated by God's Word that has more wisdom than even half of what's been told you?
Friday, November 13, 2015
Thursday, November 12, 2015
1 Kings 8
"So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. Then they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up." vv.3-4
Read chapter 8
What's the difference between the priests and the Levites? In short, all priests are Levities but not all Levites are priests. If you remember back in Exodus when Aaron and his sons were chosen and anointed to serve in the most holy place and in charge of ministering at the altar the sacrifices and offerings. "Those Levites who were not priests were assigned duties connected with the tabernacle (Numbers 3-4). They assisted the priests (Numbers 1:50; 3:6, 8; 16:9; 1 Chronincles 9:22, 26f; 23:2-4, 28; Ezra 3:8-9.), tyhey prepared the cereal offerings (1 Chronincles 23:28-32), and they cared for the courts and the chambers of the sanctuary. Later, the Levites were involved in interpreting the law and thus functioned as teachers (Nehemiah 8:7, 9; 2 Chronicles 17:7-7; 35:3)" (thywordistruth.com).
In this chapter we see priests were ministers of sacrifice and Levites were ministers of praise. And this surely was a time to offer sacrifice and praise to God as the temple of God was built, no longer a traveling tent but a house built by Solomon of a representation of the temple in heaven that we'll one day see and praise. We don't have priests and Levites today as ordained through geneology as then and we no longer need priests and Levites to enter in to the most holy place for us as Christ has torn down the wall of separation that we may go freely to Him to minister our own sacrifices and praise. Hallelujah!
Read chapter 8
What's the difference between the priests and the Levites? In short, all priests are Levities but not all Levites are priests. If you remember back in Exodus when Aaron and his sons were chosen and anointed to serve in the most holy place and in charge of ministering at the altar the sacrifices and offerings. "Those Levites who were not priests were assigned duties connected with the tabernacle (Numbers 3-4). They assisted the priests (Numbers 1:50; 3:6, 8; 16:9; 1 Chronincles 9:22, 26f; 23:2-4, 28; Ezra 3:8-9.), tyhey prepared the cereal offerings (1 Chronincles 23:28-32), and they cared for the courts and the chambers of the sanctuary. Later, the Levites were involved in interpreting the law and thus functioned as teachers (Nehemiah 8:7, 9; 2 Chronicles 17:7-7; 35:3)" (thywordistruth.com).
In this chapter we see priests were ministers of sacrifice and Levites were ministers of praise. And this surely was a time to offer sacrifice and praise to God as the temple of God was built, no longer a traveling tent but a house built by Solomon of a representation of the temple in heaven that we'll one day see and praise. We don't have priests and Levites today as ordained through geneology as then and we no longer need priests and Levites to enter in to the most holy place for us as Christ has torn down the wall of separation that we may go freely to Him to minister our own sacrifices and praise. Hallelujah!
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
1 Kings 7
"But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all his house." v.1
Read chapter 7
Read chapter 7
It almost took double the time to build Solomon's house than it did the temple, being just over seven years (6:38). This could be due to "the materials so far provided and prepared for this as they were for the temple, nor did either he or his people use the same diligence in this as in the other work, to which they were quickened by God’s express command" (Benson's Commentary). The total time of construction during Solomon's reign was 20 years! That's a long time living in construction when I struggle if construction around my house or work is longer than a couple months, just ready and wanting it to be done. Diligence and quality is key than just rush and loss of accuracy. "All Solomon's buildings, though beautiful, were intended for use. Solomon began with the temple; he built for God first, and then his other buildings. The surest foundations of lasting prosperity are laid in early piety. He was thirteen years building his house, yet he built the temple in little more than seven years; not that he was more exact, but less eager in building his own house, than in building God's. We ought to prefer God's honour before our own ease and satisfaction." How can your work for the Lord in your life can you spend diligent, efficient time in?
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
1 Kings 6
"And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built." v.7
Read chapter 6
Details of the intricate construction of the temple fill this chapter. I always think of some of my friends who are carpenters and wonder if they would love this chapter of construction talk and be in awe of why things were constructed certain ways. It's interesting to note that the stones were chiseled and formed away from the temple until they were ready to be placed so that the temple wasn't disturbed with the noise of tools. The temple was built in silence. McLearen's Expositions thinks this can be an "encouragement to those whose work is inconspicuous and a lesson not to mistake noise and notoriety for spiritual progress."
Every stone was made ready at the quarry and then transported. This must have made the transportation of the stones of serious care. We can also be like these stones being made ready at the quarry for the temple. While we're living in this present age and world waiting for Christ's Kingdom to come, we are be chiseled away being made perfect until the completion of Christ when He returns to make us all one body, His body, perfectly fit together to see and be our purpose.
Read chapter 6
Details of the intricate construction of the temple fill this chapter. I always think of some of my friends who are carpenters and wonder if they would love this chapter of construction talk and be in awe of why things were constructed certain ways. It's interesting to note that the stones were chiseled and formed away from the temple until they were ready to be placed so that the temple wasn't disturbed with the noise of tools. The temple was built in silence. McLearen's Expositions thinks this can be an "encouragement to those whose work is inconspicuous and a lesson not to mistake noise and notoriety for spiritual progress."
Every stone was made ready at the quarry and then transported. This must have made the transportation of the stones of serious care. We can also be like these stones being made ready at the quarry for the temple. While we're living in this present age and world waiting for Christ's Kingdom to come, we are be chiseled away being made perfect until the completion of Christ when He returns to make us all one body, His body, perfectly fit together to see and be our purpose.
Monday, November 9, 2015
1 Kings 5
"And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lordspoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.” Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians." vv.5-6
Read chapter 5
Hiram was not an Israelite but a king of Tyre of the Phonesians. He loved king David as noted here but also seen in 2 Samuel 5:11 when timber was sent to help build David's house. This is said to be Hiram's son who was now king of Tyre. Solomon was to build the house of the Lord, the Temple, as directed by God to David. "It should be noticed that between the narrative in Kings and Chronicles there is a marked difference here. The former says nothing about the preparations which David had made for building the Temple, but makes the preparation commence under Solomon. In Chronicles David is represented as making great preparations before his death. Cf. 1 Chronicles 29:6-9; 2 Chronicles 2:3-7 and with 1 Kings 6:2 compare 2 Chronicles 3:3" (Cambridge Bible Commentary).
Cedar trees from Lebanon were for their soundness, and strength, and fragrancy, and durable-ness, were most proper for his design. The skill of the Sidonians is noted in other ancient historical writings. There were not only to cut down trees and bring them to Solomon but helped in carving and building of this intricate house to be built. Solomon would pay whatever was deemed by Hiram.
When building something for the Lord it wasn't something to go cheap on but to go all out? You may not have the means to buy the most expensive things in ministry to God but how can you "go all out" in what you do for the Lord?
Sunday, November 8, 2015
1 Kings 4
"And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt." vv.29-30
Read chapter 4
Can you imagine this wisdom! Do you desire to learn? Have wisdom? Would you have traveled far to hear someone that is like no other just to hear him speak and teach? There wasn't a topic he didn't seem cover. "He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish." A "largeness of heart" isn't talking about love but the ability to grasp, hold, understand knowledge of all things divine and human; an extremely comprehensive mind. Solomon's capacity of knowledge was far greater than any other man. I just watched the movie The Giver and the Giver was the one man who had all the knowledge of the history of man like Solomon it seemed like of good, bad (although he didn't have wisdom in discernment more just of memory and knowledge). Sometimes knowing all things can be very difficult of wanting to be ignorant of evil because it hurts. Also I wonder why Solomon tried evil just to understand that more that we read in his book of Ecclesiastes?
Read chapter 4
Can you imagine this wisdom! Do you desire to learn? Have wisdom? Would you have traveled far to hear someone that is like no other just to hear him speak and teach? There wasn't a topic he didn't seem cover. "He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish." A "largeness of heart" isn't talking about love but the ability to grasp, hold, understand knowledge of all things divine and human; an extremely comprehensive mind. Solomon's capacity of knowledge was far greater than any other man. I just watched the movie The Giver and the Giver was the one man who had all the knowledge of the history of man like Solomon it seemed like of good, bad (although he didn't have wisdom in discernment more just of memory and knowledge). Sometimes knowing all things can be very difficult of wanting to be ignorant of evil because it hurts. Also I wonder why Solomon tried evil just to understand that more that we read in his book of Ecclesiastes?
Saturday, November 7, 2015
1 Kings 3
"At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you...Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” v.5,9
Read chapter 3
Don't you wish God would ask you this? If He just appeared and said in a clear voice "Ask! What shall I give you?" How more likely people would ask for riches, fame or material things, but Solomon asks for discerment between good and evil. This pleased the Lord so much that God gave him riches and fame too. This wasn't just book wisdom but Divine wisdom. Wisdom without having studied or base on his own experience. This wisdom that Solomon was given so superseded the wisdom of the world that people came from afar to hear him. Oh how often I wish I had this gift especially when I can't make a decision or can't discern well or just want the Lord's will so badly. The cool thing we have though today is God's word that is living and active and has answers to all things in life. I know sometimes I just want something written in the sky that says, "Nicole marry so and so," but through prayer and His word He will direct us. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." So what would you ask for if God asked you this question today? What kind of wisdom or discernment are you looking for today in your life?
Read chapter 3
Don't you wish God would ask you this? If He just appeared and said in a clear voice "Ask! What shall I give you?" How more likely people would ask for riches, fame or material things, but Solomon asks for discerment between good and evil. This pleased the Lord so much that God gave him riches and fame too. This wasn't just book wisdom but Divine wisdom. Wisdom without having studied or base on his own experience. This wisdom that Solomon was given so superseded the wisdom of the world that people came from afar to hear him. Oh how often I wish I had this gift especially when I can't make a decision or can't discern well or just want the Lord's will so badly. The cool thing we have though today is God's word that is living and active and has answers to all things in life. I know sometimes I just want something written in the sky that says, "Nicole marry so and so," but through prayer and His word He will direct us. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." So what would you ask for if God asked you this question today? What kind of wisdom or discernment are you looking for today in your life?
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