1 Kings 8
This is one of the great prayers in the Bible. It has faith and emotion and truth and even the idea that for a time, Solomon grasped some of the redemptive purpose of God.
This prayer and the dedication of the temple highlight a point in Israel's history that had never been before, and hasn't happened since. They were at peace. You can see Solomon's reign as a partial fulfillment of the promise to Abraham.
I'll only make a few comments, but do look for all sorts of recurring words and themes. There is a very clear structure in Solomon's prayer that is given from the Spirit of God. Take time to observe the progression. This will be true of Israel's history. As you read these progressions or situations, think of what you know of Israel's history where something like this happened. God was preparing the nation. On the positive side of things, look for hear, forgive, pray, plea, turn, acknowledge. Look for references to the nations. On the cautionary side of things, notice Solomon's use of "I."
V. 1 The older southern side of Jerusalem was called "The City of David." The ark and the tabernacle were there, but everything was moved to the north side of the city where the temple was.
V. 56 This rest was not the full fulfillment of the promise, although I'm sure to Solomon that it seemed that way.
V. 60 This seems to give the idea that Solomon did have a sense for God's purpose in Israel. Interesting to me in all of what he says, Solomon speaks of the promises to Moses as having been fulfilled in David and in himself. He never mentions Abraham. If history is depth, Solomon doesn't go deep enough to really understand that what is happening is really a partial fulfillment of God's plan of redemption as spoken to Abraham.
V. 61 At this time Solomon and all the people were as wholly devoted to the Lord as they would ever be.
V. 63 With these large numbers of sacrifices you wonder about the time frame. Just think logistically, how long it would have taken to march these animals in, kill, prepare and burn these animals. Most likely this happened over the week or two weeks depending upon which reading is the most accurate.
Also, if only the priests and Levites could eat of the sacrificial offerings and all of Israel was at this 1-2 week feast, there must have been animals being prepared for meals all over the place and the entire area must have been packed with people.
My only comment here for us is that each of us has experienced a day or an emotional high like this. They're nice, but they don't last. All of that emotion and devotion is real on that day, but our race lasts a lifetime, or as long as God gives us, to follow Christ in the harvest on earth. Worshipping God in Spirit means that it is spirit on spirit, not based on the flesh or what the flesh needs, craves or recognizes as worship. Each day as we follow Christ in the harvest we are to worship in spirit and in truth. That makes for a very stable and unswerving walk.
Acts 7:51-8:13
You know, when you preach, as your mouth speaks, you notice sometimes that your brain can be thinking completely different thoughts. It's almost like thinking ahead of your mouth and weighing, deciding how to formulate something or even anticipating the result. I wonder if, as Stephen was saying verse 51, he was thinking, "Spirit, you know, if I say that, they'll probably kill me." I wonder if he heard the Spirit say back to him, "Yeah, I'm cool with that. How about you?"
We are about to head into some examples of Christians whose lives were used as martyrs to make a statement. What would we think if God's purpose for our lives was to show that someone is willing to die for Him? Again, it all comes back to our spiritual understanding of God, life and the world. A disciple lives for Christ in the harvest to bring glory to God. If death is how we glorify Him, great. We know that we end up in heaven, getting R&R, sitting on a lounge chair with something cool to drink, looking at the ….(fill in the blank), enjoying the presence and glory of God. Now, God uses the lives of His martyrs for many, many purposes, but they don't see that. They only know that hot, pulsing moment when they bear witness for Christ.
Vs. 54-60
You'd want to attribute this rabid reaction to Stephen to the work of Satan, but since he isn't mentioned, it must be that we humans can do this all by ourselves.
Interesting that Stephen saw Jesus and kept speaking.
Now, Saul is mentioned here. It is thought that Saul was a very young member of the Sanhedrin and was also a member of the synagogue where Stephen had been a member. In some film I saw years ago, they had it that Stephen and Saul knew each other, argued with each and Stephen won, and then they wrestled around and again Stephen won and put Saul in a headlock and made fun of him (gave him a "nuggie"). Whatever the reason was for Saul's anger, he was about to go postal. The fact that they laid their garments at Saul's feet probably means that he took some organizational responsibility for what was happening. If in fact, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, then giving his approval meant he was representing the religious leadership of Israel.
Acts 8:1-13
V. 3 Saul (Paul) will mention this again, particularly that he took the women too. That he took women also, making families parentless, seems to show the violence and intensity of his hatred for Christians.
V. 4 I've heard some preachers say that this persecution was because the Christians didn't obey Acts 1:8 and were becoming cemented into Jerusalem. I can't see that. There was nothing negative. God brought the church to a full and complete "ripeness," and then sent them out. It doesn't mention that they went crying, they went preaching.
V. 5 All directions from Jerusalem were "down." Actually Philip went north. Now, Philip was a Hellenistic Jewish Christian. A Hebraic Jewish Christian would never have preached to the Samaritans.
Vs. 9-13 Simon recognized that the power Philip had was legitimate and from God the Spirit.
Now you won't hear this until tomorrow because this reading for today ends here, so I'll tell you now, this situation is not normal. Not normal how? The people had believed in Jesus and been baptized, but they did not receive the Spirit. That is not normal. It would not be until Hebraic Jewish Christians came to see what had happened, so the Spirit could use their testimony to defuse their Jewish sense of nationalism and hate for the Samaritans, that the Spirit would be given. This "giving of the Holy Spirit" is not "normal" for today.
Psalm 129
This song of pilgrims approaching Jerusalem for worship was probably written after the exile. Zion is the city that had been destroyed by the nations, and though they and their fathers had been swept into other lands, God had shown His faithfulness by bringing them back to Zion.
Proverbs 17:1
Amen. The mind that is set on the Spirit is life and peace.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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