June 10, 2014

JUNE 10

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

1 Kings 7

Vs. 1-12 Apparently, as Solomon was directing the building of the temple, he was also making his house/palace. It is interesting to see that immediately after it mentions that he worked on the temple for seven years, it says he worked on his own house for 13 years. It should also be noted that although the ESV doesn't begin v. 1 with a conjunction, the Hebrew has one. It should either be, "and" or "but." I don't see this as being negative, per se. The temple was a fairly small and simple building: No kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms. A palace would be a lot more complicated. In retrospect, however, knowing how the story ends, you know that Solomon's pursuits became obsessions. As Jesus told Martha, but one thing is necessary. Solomon definitely missed that memo.

Vs. 13-51 Hiram must have been a popular name. This, obviously, is not the king, but a very skilled worker/artist. When you read all of this detail, you realize that Solomon, inspired by the Spirit, was quite an artist too.

Vs. 27-37 These 10 stands were like butcher block tables on wheels, for preparing the sacrifices. This was not something God had included in the tabernacle. Definitely they were a great idea. Solomon must have thought this would be a nice touch.

V. 51 We'll read later that David did a lot of planning for the temple and amassed huge amounts of gold, silver and bronze to build the temple. I don't know if this means Solomon put what was left over in the treasury, or that he didn't use what David saved and put it all in the treasury.

I think for us as disciples, the moral of the story here might be to make sure we are spending more of our time following Christ in the harvest, making disciples, rather than falling into the obsession of making a "heaven on earth" for ourselves on this dying planet.

Acts 7:30-50

Remember to look for examples of Israel rejecting God and seeking to do things their own way.

V. 35 Note how this sentence fits into the "eventual" point Stephen will be making (v. 51).

Vs. 44-50 It seems that Stephen is saying that God changed the venue of worship. This would point to what Jesus said about true worship being in spirit and in truth. In Jesus, God again was changing (really, pointing to) where real worship would take place.

Tomorrow there will be a lot of changes for the church in Jerusalem and we'll meet Saul of Tarsus.

Psalm 128

This song sung by the worshipers coming to Jerusalem focused them on true prosperity and fulfillment.

Vs. 1-2 True prosperity begins with the fear of the Lord (mentioned twice). It changes us so that what we do in life bears fruit for God.

Vs. 3-6 And this attitude of heart and focus is fulfilled in family, in this case, a fulfilled wife and children.

Proverbs 16:31-33

Gray hair is meant to equate age with wisdom. I wish that was always true. So, what does this person crowned with wisdom know? What have they mastered? They know to be slow to anger and to control their spirit. They know that in spite of the chaos and the arrogance of man, God is really in charge and working His plan of redemption to completion in Christ. Paraphrasing what Paul told Timothy, they know how to act in godliness, righteousness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness, in all situations, because God is in charge.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://www.esvbible.org/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. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.