June 9, 2014

JUNE 9

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

1 Kings 5-6

It might help in today's reading to find an online diagram of the plan of Solomon’s temple.

1 Kings 5

Vs. 1-12 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.

V. 7 I think Hiram was not only blessed to see that God had given David a wise son, but notice that Solomon's request is the focus of his reign. He wanted to build a temple to the Lord. Most kings with Solomon's wisdom and potential would have wanted to create an empire.

Vs. 13-18 Solomon was an organizing machine. Who says God isn't into detail?

1 Kings 6

Vs. 1-10 These dates are interesting, and they have helped conservative scholars pinpoint the times of people and events in the OT. According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 499, since we have the dates of Solomon's reign, these 480 years puts the Exodus in the year 1446 B.C.

Remember that a cubit is 18 inches or about one and a half feet. Again, according to the BKC-OT, p. 499, the temple was only 2700 sq. ft. The stone work took time. The craftsmanship took time. And of course, overlaying everything with gold took time. But when you think about rebuilding a temple today with our materials, a 2700 sq. ft. building would be a piece of cake. And the temple didn’t have electricity or plumbing.

Vs. 11-13 This was God's encouragement to Solomon during the building of the temple. I wonder if Solomon obeyed the command to make his own handwritten copy of the law and to read it daily. This promise is very gracious, but the "down side," if you want to call it that, would be that Solomon would have to obey.

Vs. 14-36 What I find interesting is that he refers to Solomon. Apparently he had his hand in the design and the crafting of almost everything. When we get to Solomon's dedication of the temple, he will become I and it might sound like he took too much ownership. We'll see.

Vs. 37-38 This is interesting information. It seems like something you might need for "Millionaire" or "Trivial Pursuit," but it will give an interesting slant on things soon. You wonder if it only took seven years to build the temple, and if Solomon reigned for 40 years, what did he do in those other years? For the answer to that question, we have the story of the end of his life and the book of Ecclesiastes.

Acts 7:1-29

Vs. 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 had 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 three days, look for alternating descriptions of obedience vs. resistance, constant change and movement, and the difference between God's grace and doing stuff in the flesh.

If you want a great description of Stephen's sermon, read p. 369 of the Bible Knowledge Commentary-NT.

V. 25 This is interesting in thinking about what Moses did in the book of Exodus. It shows that he was fully aware that God had put it in his heart to deliver the people of Israel when he killed the Egyptian. Moses just hadn’t sought God or God’s 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.

Vs. 1-2 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.

Vs. 3-5 The next generation is the true heritage of the Lord.

If only Solomon would have lived that. As disciples following Christ in the harvest, these records of the lives of David, Solomon, and others have been recorded for us to learn from. We need to imitate the good and to avoid the traps they fell into. For many of us, there will be a test.

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 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.