1 Kings 5-6
1 Kings 5
What do you observe about the Lord's blessing to Solomon?
I find it interesting that there was love between Hiram and David. You don't hear of that between national leaders today. Keep the name of Hiram in mind. Later he will say some words that will give us an indication that all was not well.
Solomon was an organizing dude. Who says God isn't into detail?
1 Kings 6
V. 1 These dates are interesting and they have helped conservative scholars pinpoint the times of people and events in the OT.
Remember that a cubit is 18 inches or about one and a half feet.
V. 37 Interesting information. It seems like something you might need for "Millionaire" or "Trivial Pursuit," but it will give an interesting slant on things soon.
Acts 7:1-29
Now, if you've ever read this sermon, you know that Stephen is killed at the end of it. If you are like me, you are tempted to think Stephen was killed because the sermon was so long and senseless and scatterbrained. But, alas, Stephen, speaking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, actually has a point. So here we go. The point of the entire sermon is in 7:51. Read that, and now, as you read through this for the next 3 days, look for alternating descriptions of obedience vs. resistance and between God's grace vs. doing stuff in the flesh.
V. 25 This is interesting in thinking about what Moses did in Exodus. It shows that he was fully aware that God had put it in his heart to deliver the people of Israel….just not that way.
Psalm 127
Interestingly enough, this psalm is written by Solomon, the builder. What a coincidence that we'd read this today.
Solomon's early years as king were amazing in terms of the things he built and said. It is undeniable that he had a heart for God. That makes what happens to him later, absolutely horrific, and it ought to strike a deep humility into the heart of every disciple. The sickness of sin in us is so much more powerful than we think.
This psalm was to be sung by the pilgrims coming up the heights to Jerusalem. Probably, they could see the temple and the gold and the grandeur of Solomon's Jerusalem. This psalm then, is a very mature and godly perspective on their lives and their worship. Our hope is in God to build our lives as we follow Him. Our hope is on God to protect us as we follow Him. The next generation is the true heritage of the Lord.
If only he would have lived that. As disciples following Christ in the Harvest, these lives of David, Solomon, and others have been recorded for us to learn from: to imitate the good and to avoid the traps they fell into.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qULtV42ft7s
Proverbs 16:28-30
I remember one time after reading this, being in a three-way conversation and when one of the people was talking, saying something I guess I didn't agree with, I looked at the other person and winked. This verse came immediately to mind. Boy, did I feel bad. I would like to think I'm not the dishonest man or the man of violence or the "winker," but in the right (or wrong?) circumstances, I can be.
So, turning the proverb to the positive, an honest man is not simply passive, but spreads understanding and brings people together. A man of peace wins his neighbors' trust to lead him in a way that is good for him. A disciple of Christ is transparently honest, wise as a serpent, but innocent as a dove, seeking to lead others to Christ and to make disciples who make disciples, glorifying the Father by bearing much fruit for Him. Something like that.
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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