Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Kings 15:16-22, 2 Chronicles 16:1-10, 1 Kings 16:1-34, 15:23-24, 2 Chronicles 16:11-17:19, 1 Kings 17:1-7. For less flipping read 1 Kings 15:16-24, 16-17:7, 2 Chronicles 16-17:19.
There are so many things that jumped out at me in today's reading.
One quick thing from near the end of the 1 Kings passage is a fulfillment of prophecy.
In Ahab's time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua son of Nun. 1 Kings 16:34
fulfills
Joshua 6:26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath:"Cursed before the Lord is theman who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: "At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates."
It makes me curious - did they forget about this prophecy? Did they think that it would no longer be binding because it was so long ago? Did they think God didn't really mean it? Did they think God couldn't or wouldn't do it? Did they not care? Whatever the reason, they went ahead and rebuilt Jericho despite Joshua's prophecy and they paid the price for it.
Another thing I found interesting in today's passage that will carry over as we go through the rest of the kings of Israel and Judah is that every single Israelite king was an evil king, and in general, their reigns lasted fewer years than the reigns of the good kings of Judah (Judah had evil kings too and they also experienced this same thing). God rewarded the good kings for their faithfulness to Him.
The very end of our passage introduces us to Elijah who had an incredible faith in God. This commentary has some amazing things to say from just one verse! (1 Kings 17:1)
At the end of our passage in 2 Chronicles I noticed something very impressive about King Jehoshaphat, another good king. Not only was his heart devoted to the ways of God, not only did her remove the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah - but he sent out officials to teach the people! Though the beliefs of the King are paramount in determining the direction the kingdom goes, King Jehoshaphat recognized that the people needed to be taught too in order for the worship of God to truly be kingdom-wide.
Now with all that being said, I really wanted to focus on King Asa in today's post. Mary DeMuth reminds us in this commentary that the reign of King Asa demonstrates once again how hard it is to finish well.
King Asa started out so well! When facing the mighty army of the Cushites, King Asa turned to God and God gave him the victory. Asa removed the idols from the land, he repaired the altar of the Lord, he even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother!
Asa walked with God many years. It wasn't until year thirty-five that he stopped seeking God, instead relying on a man-centered shortcut. Walking with God is a tedious marathon full of sweat and grit and a rugged determination. Running a marathon means enduring all the way to the finish line. (from above commentary)
After that initial victory Asa had peace until year 35 of his reign. During times of peace or prosperity it is easy to become complacent. It is easy to forget exactly what happened and how God delivered you and it's easy to view things through self-tinted glasses. Perhaps Asa started to give himself and his strategic military thinking credit for his previous victory. Perhaps he just became complacent during those years of peace and instead of working on his relationship with God it drifted to the wayside and became irrelevant to his life, so that his first instinct when faced with new adversity was not to turn to God, but to rely on himself.
And it's not that he technically couldn't do it himself. In fact, his strategy worked.
And often, we fool ourselves the same way.
In John Piper's excellent sermon on Asa's Folly he says...
So many times when we rely on ourselves and our own resources, things seem to go well for a season. But things are not well when we have stopped hoping in God and started hoping in what man can do. We miss tremendous blessings and we bring unnecessary hardship on ourselves. Look at the blessing Asa missed in verse 7b: "Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you." God would not only have protected Asa from Baasha and Israel, he would given the entire Syrian army into the hand of Asa. But Asa threw it away by trusting in money and intrigue instead of God.
And look at the hardship that will now come into his peaceful life. Verse 9b: "You have done foolishly in this; for from now on you will have wars." Now we know from other Scriptures (e.g., Romans 8:28) that if we repent after such unbelief, God will even take the chastisements of hardship and turn them for our good, and they will be fatherly discipline and not judicial condemnation. But it seems that Asa never did that. He carried his folly with him to the grave.
Did you catch how huge the repercussions were for Asa relying on self instead of on God?
He missed out on God's blessing and he didn't even know it. Not only would God have delivered him from Baasha, he would have given him Syria as well!
Not only did he miss out on God's blessing, he experienced God's discipline which unfortunately did not result in Asa's repentence.
John Piper describes two reasons why this was folly.
So the first reason Asa's trust in money and military might and political alliances and human physicians was folly is because God had made it so clear early in Asa's reign that he would do great things for him if he would simply trust him and not forsake him. Asa's failure to rely on God was folly because God had been so amazingly good to him and helped him in the past simply for crying out and trusting.
It is the same with us. God has proven to us time and time again that He is good to us and has helped us in the past for simply crying out and trusting. He has! And yet still my first instinct is not always to go to God for help. So many times our instincts are to do what we can on our own first and then go to God for help. But that is not how it should be.
Yes, we can often experience what we think of as success by relying on our own strength. But when we do so, we are missing out on the blessings of God and we don't even know it! God wants us to rely on Him, to hope in Him in every single area of our lives, both big and small, with peace, freedom, courage and power!
The second reason given in the text for why Asa's reliance on man was folly is that the very nature of God is that he is eager to show his power on behalf of people who trust him. (from John Piper's sermon)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. NASB
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. NLT
That verse is simply awesome. As John Piper says
This is not something God does on the weekends. It is not something he does just in church or holy places. It's not his hobby or after-hours recreation. This is what God is doing all the time everywhere (cf. Zechariah 4:10). God's eyes are everywhere always, so that he never misses one single opportunity any time, anywhere to demonstrate his power on behalf of weak people who rely on him and not man. This is why Asa's unbelief was folly.(emphasis mine)
May we rely on God more and more in every single aspect of our lives. In doing so, we will be strengthened by His power. And we will experience God's blessings in ways we never could have imagined.
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Kings 17:8-20:22 (look - no flipping!)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 9th
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Kings 13-14:24, 2 Chronicles 12:13-14, 2 Chronicles 11:18-23, 2 Chronicles 12:1-12, 1 Kings 14:25-28, 2 Chronicles 12:15-16, 1 Kings 14:29-15:5, 2 Chronicles 13:1-22, 1 Kings 15:6-8, 2 Chronicles 14:1-8, 1 Kings 15:9-15, 1 Kings 14:19-20, 1 Kings 15:25-34, 2 Chronicles 14:9-15:19. For less flipping read 1 Kings 13-15:15, 15:25-34, 2 Chronicles 11:18-23, 12-15:19.
God punished Solomon for worshipping other gods, but He kept his promise not to take away the kingdom until after his death. And it sure didn't take long after Solomon's death for things to spiral downhill fast!
The kingdom is immediately divided. Jeroboam doesn't listen to God's earlier promise...
If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do waht is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. 1 Kings 11:38
Jeroboam is obviously not a wise king. After seeing God take 10/12ths of the kingdom from Solomon's line, after hearing from God's prophet that the reason for this is directly due to Solomon's disobedience, after hearing God's promise of an amazing kingship as a reward for faithfulness - what would be the smart response? Obedience and faithfulness to God of course! What was Jeroboam's actual response? To turn away from God and become the first of many evil kings of Israel. What an absolutely foolish decision!
And he is not alone.
Rehoboam obviously did not listen to the wisdom given him by his father King Solomon, and apparrently did not read much of the Proverbs filled with wise advice specifically for him. He listens to poor advice of his peers (likely because they said what he wanted them to say, and they were his friends) over the wise advise of his father's counsellors. And within only 5 years of King Solomon's death, the priceless pieces of the temple are looted. How far the mighty can fall how quickly! And it just breaks my heart. All the work, all the previous obedience and faithfulness - destroyed so quickly by hearts turned away from God, by one great king not finishing well, and the next starting so poorly. 5 years!
Then the prophet of God falls for a lie and disobeys the very Word of God he personally heard, and paid for it with his life.
There is no end to the foolish decisions in these chapters!
Until finally, with a breath of fresh air, we read about King Asa who wholeheartedly served the Lord, who publicly proclaimed his devotion to God. And, surprise surprise, experienced incredible successes and victories! At least for the first 35 years. More bad news to come tomorrow.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how things work for the kings of Israel. Faithfulness to God equals victories, wealth, success, prosperity of every kind! And rebellion leads to kingdoms divided, temples looted, death, disaster of every kind! And yet, so many choose rebellion. Why?! It just makes you want to shake sense into them, slap them upside the head, anything to wake them up and see the destructive consequences their foolish choices will result in.
We can't do that. We can't change history. But we can learn from their mistakes. The only question is - will we?
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Kings 15:16-22, 2 Chronicles 16:1-10, 1 Kings 16:1-34, 15:23-24, 2 Chronicles 16:11-17:19, 1 Kings 17:1-7. For less flipping read 1 Kings 15:16-24, 16-17:7, 2 Chronicles 16-17:19.
God punished Solomon for worshipping other gods, but He kept his promise not to take away the kingdom until after his death. And it sure didn't take long after Solomon's death for things to spiral downhill fast!
The kingdom is immediately divided. Jeroboam doesn't listen to God's earlier promise...
If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do waht is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. 1 Kings 11:38
Jeroboam is obviously not a wise king. After seeing God take 10/12ths of the kingdom from Solomon's line, after hearing from God's prophet that the reason for this is directly due to Solomon's disobedience, after hearing God's promise of an amazing kingship as a reward for faithfulness - what would be the smart response? Obedience and faithfulness to God of course! What was Jeroboam's actual response? To turn away from God and become the first of many evil kings of Israel. What an absolutely foolish decision!
And he is not alone.
Rehoboam obviously did not listen to the wisdom given him by his father King Solomon, and apparrently did not read much of the Proverbs filled with wise advice specifically for him. He listens to poor advice of his peers (likely because they said what he wanted them to say, and they were his friends) over the wise advise of his father's counsellors. And within only 5 years of King Solomon's death, the priceless pieces of the temple are looted. How far the mighty can fall how quickly! And it just breaks my heart. All the work, all the previous obedience and faithfulness - destroyed so quickly by hearts turned away from God, by one great king not finishing well, and the next starting so poorly. 5 years!
Then the prophet of God falls for a lie and disobeys the very Word of God he personally heard, and paid for it with his life.
There is no end to the foolish decisions in these chapters!
Until finally, with a breath of fresh air, we read about King Asa who wholeheartedly served the Lord, who publicly proclaimed his devotion to God. And, surprise surprise, experienced incredible successes and victories! At least for the first 35 years. More bad news to come tomorrow.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how things work for the kings of Israel. Faithfulness to God equals victories, wealth, success, prosperity of every kind! And rebellion leads to kingdoms divided, temples looted, death, disaster of every kind! And yet, so many choose rebellion. Why?! It just makes you want to shake sense into them, slap them upside the head, anything to wake them up and see the destructive consequences their foolish choices will result in.
We can't do that. We can't change history. But we can learn from their mistakes. The only question is - will we?
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Kings 15:16-22, 2 Chronicles 16:1-10, 1 Kings 16:1-34, 15:23-24, 2 Chronicles 16:11-17:19, 1 Kings 17:1-7. For less flipping read 1 Kings 15:16-24, 16-17:7, 2 Chronicles 16-17:19.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
June 8 - Miriam
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14; 1 Kings 12:1-20; 2 Chron. 10:1-19; 1 Kings 12:21-24; 2 Chron. 11:1-4; 1 Kings 12:25-33; 2 Chron. 11:5-17. For less flipping back and forth, Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14; 1 Kings 12:1-33; 2 Chron. 10:1-19; 2 Chronicles 11:1-17.
For a sermon on 1 Kings 12 ( and 2 Chronicles 10), see The Great Divorce by Bob Deffinbaugh.
There were a couple of things that spoke to me in the passages for today. A brief word about the passage from Ecclesiastes - I think everyone, Christian or not, feels at least at times that life is meaningless, that our efforts are wasted, that most of us will not be remembered (at least not for long) after we are gone, and therefore nothing we do or don't do really matters a whole lot. I would say it must be worse for those who are not believers, but I can't really know that for sure. I know that there have been times where I have felt that way, and I don't remember a time when I didn't believe in God. But I can imagine for someone who doesn't, it must seem that there is little, if any, purpose to their lives whatsoever.
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
What is our purpose, if not to love and serve God and keep His commandments? He's given us each a unique and individual role in building His kingdom - what a responsibility!
Moving on to the next passage, we see Rehoboam is to take over for his father Solomon. Right off the bat, he jumps off a cliff (figuratively speaking). The people ask a reasonable request of him. The prophesy of Samuel had come true (remember, way back when the people were asking for a king and Saul was chosen? 1 Samuel 8:10-18). King Solomon had built an incredibly wealthy kingdom, but in order to accomplish this the people had been deprived of sons and daughters, servants, the best cattle, donkeys, sheep, and birds from their flocks, and then some. It cost them dearly. They asked, respectfully, that the burden be eased a bit. Rehoboam asked for time to think about their request. Then he did something we often do - he asked for advice. He asked his father's advisors, who gave him very good advice. But then he asked his friends, who gave him very bad advice. And just like all the rest of us do at least occasionally, instead of chosing to listen to the wiser advice, he chose to listen to the advice that best suited his own ends.
Now of course our listening to the advice that suits us best usually doesn't result in such dire consequences as the division of a nation, but if any of you are like me, you sometimes ask advice of someone you know will tell you to do what you really want to do, even if deep down you know it's not the BEST thing you could do in that situation.
As far as giving advice goes, it's just as important to take care in the advice we give others as in the advice we receive. Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm a great one for giving advice. I don't necessarily expect people to follow my advice, but I give it anyway. Probably something I should work on.
So now Rehoboam has decided to make the burden for the people heavier rather than lighter, and not unexpectedly, they aren't impressed. The nation is divided, 10 tribes against 2, and the 10 tribes choose Jeroboam to be their king. Jeroboam goes on to create idols for the people to worship, leading them astray right out of the gate. All of this was according to God's will, for we read:
But this word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: "Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, to the whole house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, 'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.' " So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered. (emphasis mine)
God hardened Rehoboam's heart to deny the people's request. We're back to God's sovereignty vs. man's choice here. This is an excerpt from the commentary:
The major problem that most people face in dealing with the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man is that they assume it must be all one way or the other. They assume that if God is sovereign, then man must not be free to make choices. The only other option for many is that men are free agents, causing God not to be in complete control of human history. How, they reason, can God hold any man accountable for choices that he was predestined to make? The fact is that God gives men the freedom to make choices, but He is always in complete control of human history.
When I seek to be in control of my children, I must do so by restricting their freedoms and by limiting their choices. I cannot let them out of my sight, or I lose control. God’s sovereignty is far greater in nature and scope. God is so great that He can give men the freedom to make choices, yet these “free choices” can never contradict, hinder, nor thwart God’s purposes or promises. The relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is never an “either/or” issue; it is a “both/and” matter. We see this very clearly in the division of the nation Israel.
Tomorrow's reading is all over the place or not so all over the place.
For a sermon on 1 Kings 12 ( and 2 Chronicles 10), see The Great Divorce by Bob Deffinbaugh.
There were a couple of things that spoke to me in the passages for today. A brief word about the passage from Ecclesiastes - I think everyone, Christian or not, feels at least at times that life is meaningless, that our efforts are wasted, that most of us will not be remembered (at least not for long) after we are gone, and therefore nothing we do or don't do really matters a whole lot. I would say it must be worse for those who are not believers, but I can't really know that for sure. I know that there have been times where I have felt that way, and I don't remember a time when I didn't believe in God. But I can imagine for someone who doesn't, it must seem that there is little, if any, purpose to their lives whatsoever.
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
What is our purpose, if not to love and serve God and keep His commandments? He's given us each a unique and individual role in building His kingdom - what a responsibility!
Moving on to the next passage, we see Rehoboam is to take over for his father Solomon. Right off the bat, he jumps off a cliff (figuratively speaking). The people ask a reasonable request of him. The prophesy of Samuel had come true (remember, way back when the people were asking for a king and Saul was chosen? 1 Samuel 8:10-18). King Solomon had built an incredibly wealthy kingdom, but in order to accomplish this the people had been deprived of sons and daughters, servants, the best cattle, donkeys, sheep, and birds from their flocks, and then some. It cost them dearly. They asked, respectfully, that the burden be eased a bit. Rehoboam asked for time to think about their request. Then he did something we often do - he asked for advice. He asked his father's advisors, who gave him very good advice. But then he asked his friends, who gave him very bad advice. And just like all the rest of us do at least occasionally, instead of chosing to listen to the wiser advice, he chose to listen to the advice that best suited his own ends.
Now of course our listening to the advice that suits us best usually doesn't result in such dire consequences as the division of a nation, but if any of you are like me, you sometimes ask advice of someone you know will tell you to do what you really want to do, even if deep down you know it's not the BEST thing you could do in that situation.
As far as giving advice goes, it's just as important to take care in the advice we give others as in the advice we receive. Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm a great one for giving advice. I don't necessarily expect people to follow my advice, but I give it anyway. Probably something I should work on.
So now Rehoboam has decided to make the burden for the people heavier rather than lighter, and not unexpectedly, they aren't impressed. The nation is divided, 10 tribes against 2, and the 10 tribes choose Jeroboam to be their king. Jeroboam goes on to create idols for the people to worship, leading them astray right out of the gate. All of this was according to God's will, for we read:
But this word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: "Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, to the whole house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, 'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.' " So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered. (emphasis mine)
God hardened Rehoboam's heart to deny the people's request. We're back to God's sovereignty vs. man's choice here. This is an excerpt from the commentary:
The major problem that most people face in dealing with the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man is that they assume it must be all one way or the other. They assume that if God is sovereign, then man must not be free to make choices. The only other option for many is that men are free agents, causing God not to be in complete control of human history. How, they reason, can God hold any man accountable for choices that he was predestined to make? The fact is that God gives men the freedom to make choices, but He is always in complete control of human history.
When I seek to be in control of my children, I must do so by restricting their freedoms and by limiting their choices. I cannot let them out of my sight, or I lose control. God’s sovereignty is far greater in nature and scope. God is so great that He can give men the freedom to make choices, yet these “free choices” can never contradict, hinder, nor thwart God’s purposes or promises. The relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is never an “either/or” issue; it is a “both/and” matter. We see this very clearly in the division of the nation Israel.
Tomorrow's reading is all over the place or not so all over the place.
Monday, June 7, 2010
June 7th
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 7-11:6.
Just like Proverbs, I feel like we are speeding through Ecclesiastes so fast it's just not sinking in. Especially since this weekend I just haven'thad made the time to study too much. There is a great sermon series on bible.org by by Keith Krell, but I've only read a couple of them so far.
He discusses Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 in his sermon titled When Bad is Better. Basically Solomon is saying in these verses that adversity is better than prosperity because it forces you to have an eternal perspective and it encourages the growth of godly character.
It is an unfortunate truth that we learn the most and grow the closest to God during times of adversity. When are come to the end of ourselves and recognize how much we need God. When He alone is our hope and our strength.
As much as we enjoy the good times, those simply are not times of tremendous character growth.
I really wish there was some way to reverse that trend, but unfortunately that's not how it works. Of course, we can and do learn things during good times too, but in general it's pretty safe to say that we learn deeper through adversity.
From the above sermon...
A man or woman of faith trusts God. Therefore, when times are good, be happy. Enjoy what you have. Don’t waste the opportunity by trying to accumulate more. Don’t wait for retirement. Enjoy now. One of the saddest things in life is the fact that when our children are young and most enjoyable we fathers tend to be busier than ever, establishing ourselves in business and preparing for the children’s future. Unfortunately, too often, by the time we have their college education secured they are gone and there’s little opportunity to enjoy them. When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, be patient. Be patient because the same God who made the good times has allowed the bad. Neither situation is outside of His sovereignty and there is no sure way of knowing what’s coming next. Try as we might, we cannot prepare for all contingencies, and while God expects us to be prudent, He does not want us to play God. There are times when you just have to play the cards which you have been dealt. Remember that it is God who is the dealer. What you have has been given by Him. Adversity is better than prosperity. (emphasis in bold mine)
Tomorrow's passage: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14, 1 Kings 12:1-20, 2 Chronicles 10:1-19, 1 Kings 12:21-24, 2 Chronicles 11:1-4, 1 Kings 12:25-33, 2 Chronicles 11:5-17. For less flipping, read Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14, 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11:17.
Just like Proverbs, I feel like we are speeding through Ecclesiastes so fast it's just not sinking in. Especially since this weekend I just haven't
He discusses Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 in his sermon titled When Bad is Better. Basically Solomon is saying in these verses that adversity is better than prosperity because it forces you to have an eternal perspective and it encourages the growth of godly character.
It is an unfortunate truth that we learn the most and grow the closest to God during times of adversity. When are come to the end of ourselves and recognize how much we need God. When He alone is our hope and our strength.
As much as we enjoy the good times, those simply are not times of tremendous character growth.
I really wish there was some way to reverse that trend, but unfortunately that's not how it works. Of course, we can and do learn things during good times too, but in general it's pretty safe to say that we learn deeper through adversity.
From the above sermon...
A man or woman of faith trusts God. Therefore, when times are good, be happy. Enjoy what you have. Don’t waste the opportunity by trying to accumulate more. Don’t wait for retirement. Enjoy now. One of the saddest things in life is the fact that when our children are young and most enjoyable we fathers tend to be busier than ever, establishing ourselves in business and preparing for the children’s future. Unfortunately, too often, by the time we have their college education secured they are gone and there’s little opportunity to enjoy them. When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, be patient. Be patient because the same God who made the good times has allowed the bad. Neither situation is outside of His sovereignty and there is no sure way of knowing what’s coming next. Try as we might, we cannot prepare for all contingencies, and while God expects us to be prudent, He does not want us to play God. There are times when you just have to play the cards which you have been dealt. Remember that it is God who is the dealer. What you have has been given by Him. Adversity is better than prosperity. (emphasis in bold mine)
Tomorrow's passage: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14, 1 Kings 12:1-20, 2 Chronicles 10:1-19, 1 Kings 12:21-24, 2 Chronicles 11:1-4, 1 Kings 12:25-33, 2 Chronicles 11:5-17. For less flipping, read Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14, 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11:17.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday -Guest Post by Mrs.Oz
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:12
Many times I've thought frustrated thoughts about Solomon. If he was so darn wise, why did he make some foolish decisions? Why did he pursue life in the temporal so much? We evaluate, as in the previous post (and rightly so), the character of Solomon and his father and Solomon can seem like the one not to pattern yourself after quite so much! However, God has given us a great gift through this man and that is to see something we may see in our own lives on a smaller scale but NEVER at the level to which this man actually EXPERIENCED it.
I present to you that Solomon was what we humans may call a big experiment or a research project of God's. Now, as he would see it, this could not be true because God all ready knew what the results would be, but it seems that he did it for our benefit. To give one man on earth all the wisdom a human man could possibly have, all the wealth he could ever attain, the respect, the admiration, the pleasures, and on, and on. Every thing a man may think in his lifetime would be worth having to enjoy, Solomon was granted it. No other man in history would ever be given this by God and the fact that he allowed it, gave this man the character qualities of a thinker and a writer, and had him pursue it on evey level and document it, is a HUGE event in humanity that we should not miss! Solomon was allowed by God, and for the glory of God through men, to give us a gift that can and will change our lives. Although I understand the criticism of Solomon's relationship with God being very much on a the head knowledge level, we benefit so much by him treading waters we never will and coming back with the assessment of humanity's toil for us to learn from. That is a purpose his father David did not have, but it is hugely beneficial just the same. We are to love God with our minds as well as our hearts (Duet 6:5) and strength.
Thankfully, over and over in this book Solomon keeps coming back to the bottom line. That is what I want to focus on today.
" I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."
This passage contains the key of understanding humanity's plight which Solomon could only get to by being the thinker that he was but it still brings great glory to God that he was used to reveal it to us. If we pay attention to Solomon, we can keep from wasting so much time and get on with living for God. Here is the key:
Eternity is in the hearts of men, and God has put it there. Therefore, there is something in us that wants to put our efforts into productive living, and pleasurable living with a long term benefit. That is the eternity in us, we want to see our efforts reap reward and enjoyment forever. Though a man man not realize this was given him by God, he will act upon this imprint on his heart from his Creator. The problem is, as Solomon found by acting on it in ever way humanly possible, in this sphere of humanity on the fallen earth, it is not allowed to fulfill us. God has given us a desire in all things that can only be filled by HIMSELF. The burden is that the desire in us is strong and compelling, but the fulfillment cannot be found in anything we look around to set our hearts and minds to. It's continual frustration for us, a want without relief. This is why a man can build, attain, possess and enjoy but still keep finding despair and depression.
When we "plug in" to God and HIS eternal work for HIS glory, whether it be a huge role with great possession or a humble role with little to speak of, we will get that eternal satisfaction we are longing for.
"I know that everything God does will endure forever"
What we do, bit it great or humble, in God, will endure forever and assurance of that will be our delight and our joy. It will make every remedial task in day to day life full of eternal significance, or as was said in the previous post so well, completely meaningful. It plugs us into the eternal we long from our Creator to take part in.
"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God."
Eating and drinking are daily simple things that every man does. Whether he eats steak or a bowl of rice, when his heart is plugged into God and eternity is on his heart, he CAN be satisfied. In his toil, whatever his humble work may be, it is extremely noble when stamped with God's purposes of eternal significance and therefore will satisfy him. These satisfactions cannot be attained by man's wisdom, they are a gift of God himself.
"...nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it."
There is no stressful urgency to store up or build up as a man on this earth. What God has for you and I to do is ENOUGH and COMPLETE. We labor and stress ourselves to try to add to it and we cheat ourselves out of blessing to take from it. Doing more than what God has for us, or less that what he has for us will both make us miserable. This is where the wise and the fool end up the same. A man may achieve more and have wasted his time and efforts and a fool may sit on his hands and have wasted it as well. This is where they become equals
" God does it so that men will revere him. "
AHHH! There is the amazing point that we would not have reached without our "human experiment", Solomon. To get to the bottom of all that is humanly possible and pass on to us a warning that it will avail us nothing! So, don't even attempt it on the little levels we do each day. God showed Solomon that the emptiness of all things pointed to a HUGE NEED for HIMSELF and that by men realizing that, they would revere their God like never before.
I am doing a study of the book "If God is Good" by Randy Alcorn and I present to you that this statement is scripture is one of the huge answers not only to meaninglessness in humanity but also evil. God wants us to be emptied out to see how fulfilling he is. He allows us to see sorrows of the world and on our own doorsteps to have eyes that finally see all the beauty that He is. He uses all things to do one thing... show us HIMSELF. Which is therefore, in all things our complete, supreme, satisfaction.
Some men get the truth of God through the heart, some get it through conviction of the love of his law. God knew that some men would get it more through their tendency to logic. I personally love that Solomon loved to think and his journey proved that thinking through man's journey would also lead us to our need for God. He had to travel a rough road to get there, but I really believe God allowed all this in Solomon for the benefit of YOU and ME. We will never get to do what he did and now we can see from study of his thoughtful evaluation of all things, that what we think we may have wanted would never satisfy. He gave us great proverb evaluations of the wise man and the fool, he gave us some deep thoughts about our greatest desires in life. Had he not been the thinker and writer he was, we would not have this. God uses all of us in the gifts he has given for His own purposes.
Solomon's approach to learning about God is not simple and not formula oriented but it's very beneficial to us.
"Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."
...in other words, he does not worry that he's running out of time because all he is meant to fulfill will be done and he will forever see it's reward in eternity because he is tapped into the enjoyment of the God of eternity and that joy will be both here and now and will make his heart oh, so glad. This also makes the seasons of life, good or bad, up or down, all significant to every man. Though I did not touch on the classic passage found in the text today, here is a little reflecting on that. Besides, it's been one of my favorite songs since I was a kid:)
Tomorrows passage is Ecclesiastes 7-11:6
Many times I've thought frustrated thoughts about Solomon. If he was so darn wise, why did he make some foolish decisions? Why did he pursue life in the temporal so much? We evaluate, as in the previous post (and rightly so), the character of Solomon and his father and Solomon can seem like the one not to pattern yourself after quite so much! However, God has given us a great gift through this man and that is to see something we may see in our own lives on a smaller scale but NEVER at the level to which this man actually EXPERIENCED it.
I present to you that Solomon was what we humans may call a big experiment or a research project of God's. Now, as he would see it, this could not be true because God all ready knew what the results would be, but it seems that he did it for our benefit. To give one man on earth all the wisdom a human man could possibly have, all the wealth he could ever attain, the respect, the admiration, the pleasures, and on, and on. Every thing a man may think in his lifetime would be worth having to enjoy, Solomon was granted it. No other man in history would ever be given this by God and the fact that he allowed it, gave this man the character qualities of a thinker and a writer, and had him pursue it on evey level and document it, is a HUGE event in humanity that we should not miss! Solomon was allowed by God, and for the glory of God through men, to give us a gift that can and will change our lives. Although I understand the criticism of Solomon's relationship with God being very much on a the head knowledge level, we benefit so much by him treading waters we never will and coming back with the assessment of humanity's toil for us to learn from. That is a purpose his father David did not have, but it is hugely beneficial just the same. We are to love God with our minds as well as our hearts (Duet 6:5) and strength.
Thankfully, over and over in this book Solomon keeps coming back to the bottom line. That is what I want to focus on today.
" I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."
This passage contains the key of understanding humanity's plight which Solomon could only get to by being the thinker that he was but it still brings great glory to God that he was used to reveal it to us. If we pay attention to Solomon, we can keep from wasting so much time and get on with living for God. Here is the key:
Eternity is in the hearts of men, and God has put it there. Therefore, there is something in us that wants to put our efforts into productive living, and pleasurable living with a long term benefit. That is the eternity in us, we want to see our efforts reap reward and enjoyment forever. Though a man man not realize this was given him by God, he will act upon this imprint on his heart from his Creator. The problem is, as Solomon found by acting on it in ever way humanly possible, in this sphere of humanity on the fallen earth, it is not allowed to fulfill us. God has given us a desire in all things that can only be filled by HIMSELF. The burden is that the desire in us is strong and compelling, but the fulfillment cannot be found in anything we look around to set our hearts and minds to. It's continual frustration for us, a want without relief. This is why a man can build, attain, possess and enjoy but still keep finding despair and depression.
When we "plug in" to God and HIS eternal work for HIS glory, whether it be a huge role with great possession or a humble role with little to speak of, we will get that eternal satisfaction we are longing for.
"I know that everything God does will endure forever"
What we do, bit it great or humble, in God, will endure forever and assurance of that will be our delight and our joy. It will make every remedial task in day to day life full of eternal significance, or as was said in the previous post so well, completely meaningful. It plugs us into the eternal we long from our Creator to take part in.
"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God."
Eating and drinking are daily simple things that every man does. Whether he eats steak or a bowl of rice, when his heart is plugged into God and eternity is on his heart, he CAN be satisfied. In his toil, whatever his humble work may be, it is extremely noble when stamped with God's purposes of eternal significance and therefore will satisfy him. These satisfactions cannot be attained by man's wisdom, they are a gift of God himself.
"...nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it."
There is no stressful urgency to store up or build up as a man on this earth. What God has for you and I to do is ENOUGH and COMPLETE. We labor and stress ourselves to try to add to it and we cheat ourselves out of blessing to take from it. Doing more than what God has for us, or less that what he has for us will both make us miserable. This is where the wise and the fool end up the same. A man may achieve more and have wasted his time and efforts and a fool may sit on his hands and have wasted it as well. This is where they become equals
" God does it so that men will revere him. "
AHHH! There is the amazing point that we would not have reached without our "human experiment", Solomon. To get to the bottom of all that is humanly possible and pass on to us a warning that it will avail us nothing! So, don't even attempt it on the little levels we do each day. God showed Solomon that the emptiness of all things pointed to a HUGE NEED for HIMSELF and that by men realizing that, they would revere their God like never before.
I am doing a study of the book "If God is Good" by Randy Alcorn and I present to you that this statement is scripture is one of the huge answers not only to meaninglessness in humanity but also evil. God wants us to be emptied out to see how fulfilling he is. He allows us to see sorrows of the world and on our own doorsteps to have eyes that finally see all the beauty that He is. He uses all things to do one thing... show us HIMSELF. Which is therefore, in all things our complete, supreme, satisfaction.
Some men get the truth of God through the heart, some get it through conviction of the love of his law. God knew that some men would get it more through their tendency to logic. I personally love that Solomon loved to think and his journey proved that thinking through man's journey would also lead us to our need for God. He had to travel a rough road to get there, but I really believe God allowed all this in Solomon for the benefit of YOU and ME. We will never get to do what he did and now we can see from study of his thoughtful evaluation of all things, that what we think we may have wanted would never satisfy. He gave us great proverb evaluations of the wise man and the fool, he gave us some deep thoughts about our greatest desires in life. Had he not been the thinker and writer he was, we would not have this. God uses all of us in the gifts he has given for His own purposes.
Solomon's approach to learning about God is not simple and not formula oriented but it's very beneficial to us.
"Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."
...in other words, he does not worry that he's running out of time because all he is meant to fulfill will be done and he will forever see it's reward in eternity because he is tapped into the enjoyment of the God of eternity and that joy will be both here and now and will make his heart oh, so glad. This also makes the seasons of life, good or bad, up or down, all significant to every man. Though I did not touch on the classic passage found in the text today, here is a little reflecting on that. Besides, it's been one of my favorite songs since I was a kid:)
Tomorrows passage is Ecclesiastes 7-11:6
Saturday, June 5, 2010
June 5th
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Kings 11:1-43, 2 Chronicles 9:29-31, Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.
The passage in 1 Kings describes Solomon's downfall. It's sad really to witness this King, the wisest man who has ever lived, succumb to the exact sins God had warned him of and commanded against. He amassed numerous horses, great wealth and multiple wives - all of which seemed to make him proud of his own accomplishments instead of giving glory to God.
Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside, and he must not accumulate much silver and gold. Deut 17:17
This warning from God and the disastrous consequences of disobedience were never more accurate than in the life of Solomon. He married numerous foreign wives (700 plus 300 concubines!), likely for a wide ranges of reasons - from political, to personal. These foreign wives worshipped foreign Gods and Solomon built places of worship for them, and eventually joined them in their idolatry.
It makes me want to shake this guy! God had literally given him everything. He was the wisest man who ever lived, likely the richest that ever lived, was Israel's more prosperous King - and yet he played the fool. He worshiped other gods - a slap in the face to God who had blessed him in every possible way.
As this commentary says
There was one crucial difference between David and Solomon. David had a heart for God. He became the standard by which all subsequent kings were measured. Solomon had a more intellectual relationship with God. He was more detached, more philosophical about his relationship with God. It was an “upper story faith,” rather than an intimate, daily, passionate relationship with God. As I have watched biblical scholars rise and fall, the two major causes have been sexual immorality and intellectualism – an infatuation with one’s own intellectual powers.....
I fear that many of us (including me) are more “Solomonic” in our relationship with God than “Davidic.” It is wonderful for us to pursue truth (biblical or natural), but it is no substitute for a simple childlike faith in God. Let us give serious thought to those things which predisposed both David and Solomon to fall. Let us learn from their experience so that we need not learn from our own.
Today we also begin our readings on Ecclesiastes.
This commentary sums it up very well....
The question of 1:3 is the most important question of the book: “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?” Solomon’s concern is what do humans have “left over” after life is over. What difference do the activities of this life have in the next life? Does anything last beyond the grave? Can we make certain (beyond the shadow of a doubt…beyond the shadow of death) that what we do in this life has some lasting value? This should be the key question of our lives (and of the lives of all other people). What can we do to guarantee a return on our life-investment? The answer that Solomon gives is to fear God and obey His commandments. When we do this, our fleeting lives begin to count for eternity. The disappointments that we experience in this life are bearable. When everything around us seems meaningless and monotonous, Christ—the Meaning in life, gives us meaning. When we are weary from the wearisome nature of life, Christ says, “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). When we can’t get no satisfaction under the sun, we can find satisfaction in the Son. When we can’t find anything new, we remember that Christ has created a new covenant, given the new birth, and new life. When we feel like no one will ever remember us, we can take confidence in the truth that God remembers us, and one day we can overcome this world and receive a new name that Christ Himself will give to us. In the meantime, the best way to live under the sun is to live in the Son.
Tomorrow's passage: Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:12
The passage in 1 Kings describes Solomon's downfall. It's sad really to witness this King, the wisest man who has ever lived, succumb to the exact sins God had warned him of and commanded against. He amassed numerous horses, great wealth and multiple wives - all of which seemed to make him proud of his own accomplishments instead of giving glory to God.
Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside, and he must not accumulate much silver and gold. Deut 17:17
This warning from God and the disastrous consequences of disobedience were never more accurate than in the life of Solomon. He married numerous foreign wives (700 plus 300 concubines!), likely for a wide ranges of reasons - from political, to personal. These foreign wives worshipped foreign Gods and Solomon built places of worship for them, and eventually joined them in their idolatry.
It makes me want to shake this guy! God had literally given him everything. He was the wisest man who ever lived, likely the richest that ever lived, was Israel's more prosperous King - and yet he played the fool. He worshiped other gods - a slap in the face to God who had blessed him in every possible way.
As this commentary says
There was one crucial difference between David and Solomon. David had a heart for God. He became the standard by which all subsequent kings were measured. Solomon had a more intellectual relationship with God. He was more detached, more philosophical about his relationship with God. It was an “upper story faith,” rather than an intimate, daily, passionate relationship with God. As I have watched biblical scholars rise and fall, the two major causes have been sexual immorality and intellectualism – an infatuation with one’s own intellectual powers.....
I fear that many of us (including me) are more “Solomonic” in our relationship with God than “Davidic.” It is wonderful for us to pursue truth (biblical or natural), but it is no substitute for a simple childlike faith in God. Let us give serious thought to those things which predisposed both David and Solomon to fall. Let us learn from their experience so that we need not learn from our own.
Today we also begin our readings on Ecclesiastes.
This commentary sums it up very well....
The question of 1:3 is the most important question of the book: “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?” Solomon’s concern is what do humans have “left over” after life is over. What difference do the activities of this life have in the next life? Does anything last beyond the grave? Can we make certain (beyond the shadow of a doubt…beyond the shadow of death) that what we do in this life has some lasting value? This should be the key question of our lives (and of the lives of all other people). What can we do to guarantee a return on our life-investment? The answer that Solomon gives is to fear God and obey His commandments. When we do this, our fleeting lives begin to count for eternity. The disappointments that we experience in this life are bearable. When everything around us seems meaningless and monotonous, Christ—the Meaning in life, gives us meaning. When we are weary from the wearisome nature of life, Christ says, “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). When we can’t get no satisfaction under the sun, we can find satisfaction in the Son. When we can’t find anything new, we remember that Christ has created a new covenant, given the new birth, and new life. When we feel like no one will ever remember us, we can take confidence in the truth that God remembers us, and one day we can overcome this world and receive a new name that Christ Himself will give to us. In the meantime, the best way to live under the sun is to live in the Son.
Tomorrow's passage: Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:12
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4 ~ tammi
Today's reading from the One-Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Song of Solomon.
Wow. How to summarize the whole book in one post...
I decided to post a series of quotes from a chapter in the book A Woman of Moderation by Dee Brestin. I think this, more than anything else I've read, has given me a better understanding and appreciation for this book.
...in generations past, great Christians saw a deeper level [beyond a guide for marriage] in this book as well. As wonderful as married love is, it is actually just a shadow of the ultimate love, described in Ephesians 5:31-32. The ultimate love that will never pass away, the love that is "better than wine," "sweeter than honey," is the love of our heavenly Bridegroom.
Isn't it interesting that those in ages past saw the allegorical level in the Song of Songs, but today many are repulsed by that idea? One pastor said, "It is just too sexual -- it cannot be allegorical." But God created the sexual union and tells us that it is a mystery that represents Christ and the Church. I believe that because our world has SO polluted the sexual relationship many believers fail to see the true beauty and deeper meaning of the marriage bed.
Max Lucado says, "It may seem odd to think of God as an enthralled lover... as a suitor intoxicated on love," yet that is how He paints himself, again and again, throughout Scripture. (pp. 74-75)
Godly marriages are supposed to reflect the relationship Christ has with the Church, which is where this whole authority/submission or leader/responder idea comes in. Just as Christ submits to the will of His Father, the Church submits to Christ. A wife VOLUNTARILY, out of love for her Savior and her husband, submits to her husband's God-ordained authority in order to display Jesus' character to the world. (nowhere in the Bible does it say that the husband is to MAKE his wife submit ~ the call is for wives to CHOOSE this) The husband, in turn, submits to God and in doing so, accepts the responsibility for his family's spiritual health and their overall provision and protection.
God wants a bride who longs for intimacy. He doesn't want a dutiful bride who approaches His Word with a sense of "I HAVE to read my Bible because I'm a Christian." Instead, He longs for a bride who is hungering for His kisses, who approaches His Word with a yearning for the fire that comes from a kiss on the mouth. (p. 78)
I love that word-picture! Again, we see the picture of submitting to God and desiring to do certain things ~ like reading through our Bibles ~ but here we see the that it's because we LOVE Him and desperately want to know Him better. He wants this interaction because He wants us to desire intimacy with Him. Not because we feel like we have to in order to appear as "good little Christians."
Unless we understand our sin, we will have no desire for the Savior. Unless we understand our depravity, our bent toward unfaithfulness, selfishness, and gracelessness, we will not walk in daily repentance. Our pride will keep us from intimacy with the Lord. The closer you get to the One who is completely pure and completely light, the more you will see your flaws and your impurities. As soon as the bride emerges from the chamber of her bridegroom, from intimacy, she is more acutely aware of her "darkness."
Yet on the other hand it is vital to understand that though we are, indeed, depraved -- we are also forgiven. And living in us is the Holy spirit, who is continually cleansing us, redeeming us, conforming us to the image of the One who is altogether lovely. (pp. 81-82)
This is in reference to the "dark am I" statement the Shulammite woman makes in 1:5-6. She's ashamed of her colour (seemingly in comparison with Solomon's other wives), but her lover reassures her that because of his great love for her, he sees her as beautiful and incredibly desirable. Just like God sees us perfect, as white as snow, through the application of Christ's atoning blood.
** side note: One thing I noticed in reading this time that I'm not sure I've taken note of before is 6:8-9. Did anyone else notice the reference to 60 other queens, 80 concubines, and countless virgins, but that the Shulammite was more beautiful than all of them? Solomon calls her "unique." She must have been quite a woman to stand out among what already seems to be a rather large harem!! I can't help but wonder how long she felt this desired and passionate about her romance with the king given that he collected roughly another 640 wives and 220 concubines after her. (at least if these numbers are indeed a representation of Solomon's household) But maybe that's just the cynic in me rearing its ugly head. **
I think Song of Solomon is uncomfortable to read sometimes, but when we read it from this perspective ~ the all-consuming love of the Savior for us and His fiercely passionate desire for an intimate relationship with us ~ it becomes a beautiful picture of Christ's love and our fitting response.
Tomorrow's passages: 1 Kings 11:1-43, 2 Chronicles 9:29-31, and Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.
Wow. How to summarize the whole book in one post...
I decided to post a series of quotes from a chapter in the book A Woman of Moderation by Dee Brestin. I think this, more than anything else I've read, has given me a better understanding and appreciation for this book.
...in generations past, great Christians saw a deeper level [beyond a guide for marriage] in this book as well. As wonderful as married love is, it is actually just a shadow of the ultimate love, described in Ephesians 5:31-32. The ultimate love that will never pass away, the love that is "better than wine," "sweeter than honey," is the love of our heavenly Bridegroom.
Isn't it interesting that those in ages past saw the allegorical level in the Song of Songs, but today many are repulsed by that idea? One pastor said, "It is just too sexual -- it cannot be allegorical." But God created the sexual union and tells us that it is a mystery that represents Christ and the Church. I believe that because our world has SO polluted the sexual relationship many believers fail to see the true beauty and deeper meaning of the marriage bed.
Max Lucado says, "It may seem odd to think of God as an enthralled lover... as a suitor intoxicated on love," yet that is how He paints himself, again and again, throughout Scripture. (pp. 74-75)
Godly marriages are supposed to reflect the relationship Christ has with the Church, which is where this whole authority/submission or leader/responder idea comes in. Just as Christ submits to the will of His Father, the Church submits to Christ. A wife VOLUNTARILY, out of love for her Savior and her husband, submits to her husband's God-ordained authority in order to display Jesus' character to the world. (nowhere in the Bible does it say that the husband is to MAKE his wife submit ~ the call is for wives to CHOOSE this) The husband, in turn, submits to God and in doing so, accepts the responsibility for his family's spiritual health and their overall provision and protection.
God wants a bride who longs for intimacy. He doesn't want a dutiful bride who approaches His Word with a sense of "I HAVE to read my Bible because I'm a Christian." Instead, He longs for a bride who is hungering for His kisses, who approaches His Word with a yearning for the fire that comes from a kiss on the mouth. (p. 78)
I love that word-picture! Again, we see the picture of submitting to God and desiring to do certain things ~ like reading through our Bibles ~ but here we see the that it's because we LOVE Him and desperately want to know Him better. He wants this interaction because He wants us to desire intimacy with Him. Not because we feel like we have to in order to appear as "good little Christians."
Unless we understand our sin, we will have no desire for the Savior. Unless we understand our depravity, our bent toward unfaithfulness, selfishness, and gracelessness, we will not walk in daily repentance. Our pride will keep us from intimacy with the Lord. The closer you get to the One who is completely pure and completely light, the more you will see your flaws and your impurities. As soon as the bride emerges from the chamber of her bridegroom, from intimacy, she is more acutely aware of her "darkness."
Yet on the other hand it is vital to understand that though we are, indeed, depraved -- we are also forgiven. And living in us is the Holy spirit, who is continually cleansing us, redeeming us, conforming us to the image of the One who is altogether lovely. (pp. 81-82)
This is in reference to the "dark am I" statement the Shulammite woman makes in 1:5-6. She's ashamed of her colour (seemingly in comparison with Solomon's other wives), but her lover reassures her that because of his great love for her, he sees her as beautiful and incredibly desirable. Just like God sees us perfect, as white as snow, through the application of Christ's atoning blood.
** side note: One thing I noticed in reading this time that I'm not sure I've taken note of before is 6:8-9. Did anyone else notice the reference to 60 other queens, 80 concubines, and countless virgins, but that the Shulammite was more beautiful than all of them? Solomon calls her "unique." She must have been quite a woman to stand out among what already seems to be a rather large harem!! I can't help but wonder how long she felt this desired and passionate about her romance with the king given that he collected roughly another 640 wives and 220 concubines after her. (at least if these numbers are indeed a representation of Solomon's household) But maybe that's just the cynic in me rearing its ugly head. **
I think Song of Solomon is uncomfortable to read sometimes, but when we read it from this perspective ~ the all-consuming love of the Savior for us and His fiercely passionate desire for an intimate relationship with us ~ it becomes a beautiful picture of Christ's love and our fitting response.
Tomorrow's passages: 1 Kings 11:1-43, 2 Chronicles 9:29-31, and Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 3rd
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Proverbs 22:17-24:34.
Proverbs 23:29-35 The Law of Love by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (this sermon is not specifically on these verses, but it deals with the issue of whether or not Christians should drink - some very interesting thoughts here and I highly recommend it)
Proverbs 24:10-12 Rescuing Unborn Children - Required and Right by John Piper
Scripture
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him. Do not fret becasue of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Proverbs 24:17-20
Observation
Do not take pleasure in the suffering of the wicked. Do not despair over the success of the wicked.
Application
We need to be aware of two extremes in attitude towards the wicked - both of which are wrong, and yet oh so humanly understandable.
First, we are not to take pleasure in the suffering of the wicked.
I think we could all agree on that statement. It sounds good, it sounds right, it sounds like the Sunday School answer. And it's very biblical. In fact, not only are we not to take pleasure in the suffering of the wicked, we are to LOVE our enemies and PRAY for those who persecute us! (Matthew 5:44).
And it's easy to agree in theory. It's easy to agree when our own personal experience doesn't come into play.
But when the rubber meets the road, this is a hard one to practice. If a wicked person inflicted any type of severe trauma to my children - it would go against every bone in my body not to take pleasure in his suffering.
And, in fact - didn't David pray for just that in the Psalms we read earlier? Well, he certainly prayed for justice to be done - and so should we.
I think there is a fine line between rejoicing in justice, and rejoicing in the suffering of the wicked which smacks of revenge.
Justice and revenge are similar - yet so different. Justice is good. Revenge, though a natural emotional response, is not.
On the opposite extreme, we should not despair over the prosperity of the wicked. There are certainly many times where the whole "reap what you sow" thing just doesn't seem to be holding true. Proverbs are not guarantees - they are general instructions for how life usually operates. And the fact is, the wicked WILL reap what they have sown. And if they do not repent they will be reaping eternally.
But don't gloat over that fact. ;)
I think the command in Matthew is the perfect "middle ground" for these verses. Love. Simple, but not easy.
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy'. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45a
Prayer
Lord, we thank You that You are just. And yet, when it comes to ourselves, we are much more thankful for your mercy. We want justice to be done when it comes to others, but we want mercy when it comes to us. Help us to see the two-sidedness of that way of thinking. We do want justice Lord, and we know that that is biblical. But Lord, give us a love for our enemies that this world cannot comprehend. This kind of love is supernatural and we need Your help Lord. Helps us to show love even when we don`t feel it. Help us to forgive. Help us to focus on the eternal.
Help us also to be able to rest in the knowledge that the day of justice will come. That the wicked will not prosper forever. Help us not to worry, but to cast our cares on You. Help us to trust You with our deepest fears, help us to rest in the knowledge that You are sovereign O God. That You are in control, and that You will work all things together for good.
Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Song of Solomon - the entire book
Proverbs 23:29-35 The Law of Love by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (this sermon is not specifically on these verses, but it deals with the issue of whether or not Christians should drink - some very interesting thoughts here and I highly recommend it)
Proverbs 24:10-12 Rescuing Unborn Children - Required and Right by John Piper
Scripture
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him. Do not fret becasue of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Proverbs 24:17-20
Observation
Do not take pleasure in the suffering of the wicked. Do not despair over the success of the wicked.
Application
We need to be aware of two extremes in attitude towards the wicked - both of which are wrong, and yet oh so humanly understandable.
First, we are not to take pleasure in the suffering of the wicked.
I think we could all agree on that statement. It sounds good, it sounds right, it sounds like the Sunday School answer. And it's very biblical. In fact, not only are we not to take pleasure in the suffering of the wicked, we are to LOVE our enemies and PRAY for those who persecute us! (Matthew 5:44).
And it's easy to agree in theory. It's easy to agree when our own personal experience doesn't come into play.
But when the rubber meets the road, this is a hard one to practice. If a wicked person inflicted any type of severe trauma to my children - it would go against every bone in my body not to take pleasure in his suffering.
And, in fact - didn't David pray for just that in the Psalms we read earlier? Well, he certainly prayed for justice to be done - and so should we.
I think there is a fine line between rejoicing in justice, and rejoicing in the suffering of the wicked which smacks of revenge.
Justice and revenge are similar - yet so different. Justice is good. Revenge, though a natural emotional response, is not.
On the opposite extreme, we should not despair over the prosperity of the wicked. There are certainly many times where the whole "reap what you sow" thing just doesn't seem to be holding true. Proverbs are not guarantees - they are general instructions for how life usually operates. And the fact is, the wicked WILL reap what they have sown. And if they do not repent they will be reaping eternally.
But don't gloat over that fact. ;)
I think the command in Matthew is the perfect "middle ground" for these verses. Love. Simple, but not easy.
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy'. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45a
Prayer
Lord, we thank You that You are just. And yet, when it comes to ourselves, we are much more thankful for your mercy. We want justice to be done when it comes to others, but we want mercy when it comes to us. Help us to see the two-sidedness of that way of thinking. We do want justice Lord, and we know that that is biblical. But Lord, give us a love for our enemies that this world cannot comprehend. This kind of love is supernatural and we need Your help Lord. Helps us to show love even when we don`t feel it. Help us to forgive. Help us to focus on the eternal.
Help us also to be able to rest in the knowledge that the day of justice will come. That the wicked will not prosper forever. Help us not to worry, but to cast our cares on You. Help us to trust You with our deepest fears, help us to rest in the knowledge that You are sovereign O God. That You are in control, and that You will work all things together for good.
Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Song of Solomon - the entire book
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2nd
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Proverbs 20-22:16.
You can read John Piper's sermon on Proverbs 20:15 here. And a sermon on Proverbs 22:6 here.
Scripture
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
Observation
From childhood to adulthood it is imperative to walk the talk, as this is a reflection of what we truly believe.
Application
The way we act shows what we really believe about something. It doesn't matter what we say (to a point of course, the tongue is powerful indeed!), it matters what we do. Believe behaviour.
I can see this verse from two different angles.
First as a challenge to children and to parents of said children - that youth is no excuse for inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour is a reflection of the heart and mind, and we cannot use age as an excuse for sin. Obviously we need to have age appropriate expectations, but often we underestimate our kids ability to understand and their predisposition to sinful attitudes. We need to expect more from our children. In general, kids will rise or fall to our expectation. If we expect little, we will get little. If we expect much (within reason, of course), we will not be disappointed.
Secondly, it is a challenge to adults. If even children are known by their deeds, how much more so adults! We can make no excuse for our sinful behaviour. Our actions show how we really feel, what we really think, what we really believe. We need to walk the talk or our walk will prove us a liar.
And if we want to change our actions, thoughts, beliefs - we need to study the Word. It always comes back to that, doesn't it?
Prayer
Help us Lord to study your Word, to know what it says and then to apply that knowledge to our lives in both word and deed. Help us also to train our children according to this truth, and to expect good choices and behaviour. Help us to recognize that poor choices in behaviour are reflective of areas that need work and training, both in ourselves and in our children. Give us a hunger for your Word, a hunger to grow in knowledge and wisdom, a hunger to become more like You every day. Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Proverbs 22:17-24:34
You can read John Piper's sermon on Proverbs 20:15 here. And a sermon on Proverbs 22:6 here.
Scripture
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
Observation
From childhood to adulthood it is imperative to walk the talk, as this is a reflection of what we truly believe.
Application
The way we act shows what we really believe about something. It doesn't matter what we say (to a point of course, the tongue is powerful indeed!), it matters what we do. Believe behaviour.
I can see this verse from two different angles.
First as a challenge to children and to parents of said children - that youth is no excuse for inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour is a reflection of the heart and mind, and we cannot use age as an excuse for sin. Obviously we need to have age appropriate expectations, but often we underestimate our kids ability to understand and their predisposition to sinful attitudes. We need to expect more from our children. In general, kids will rise or fall to our expectation. If we expect little, we will get little. If we expect much (within reason, of course), we will not be disappointed.
Secondly, it is a challenge to adults. If even children are known by their deeds, how much more so adults! We can make no excuse for our sinful behaviour. Our actions show how we really feel, what we really think, what we really believe. We need to walk the talk or our walk will prove us a liar.
And if we want to change our actions, thoughts, beliefs - we need to study the Word. It always comes back to that, doesn't it?
Prayer
Help us Lord to study your Word, to know what it says and then to apply that knowledge to our lives in both word and deed. Help us also to train our children according to this truth, and to expect good choices and behaviour. Help us to recognize that poor choices in behaviour are reflective of areas that need work and training, both in ourselves and in our children. Give us a hunger for your Word, a hunger to grow in knowledge and wisdom, a hunger to become more like You every day. Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Proverbs 22:17-24:34
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1 - Miriam
Good day! Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Proverbs 17-19.
Scripture
Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Observation
Everybody makes mistakes. Sooner or later a friend or family member will say or do something that hurts your feelings or makes you angry. How we handle that situation obviously affects our own relationship with that person, but it can also affect the relationships around us.
Application
To love is to forgive. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says "{Love} keeps no record of wrongs." Yet how often do you hear of couples, or siblings, or children and parents who keep bringing up past mistakes or problems or misdeeds each and every time they have a disagreement? How often do you hear of close friends or family members who have a falling out over something and neither one will forgive or ask forgiveness?
I'm not saying it's easy to do. It can be a very hard thing to do, especially if you feel you were wronged and the other person doesn't feel they have anything for which they should apologize or make amends. But the tricky thing about forgiveness is that it is often more beneficial to the person who is doing the forgiving than to the one who is forgiven. Holding a grudge is a poison that affects not only the person holding it, but those around them. Especially if you talk to other people about the situation. At times, this spoils the relationship between the other person and the person who was told all the sordid details, but at other times it spoils your relationship with these other people.
Speaking ill of someone can make you look worse than it does the other person. I don't know how many of you watch The Amazing Race. If you watched this past season, you'll remember "the models" and "the lesbians". (These are not my descriptions - this is how they referred to each other on the show. And I can't remember their names.) These two teams disliked each other almost from the beginning, mainly because "the lesbians" made some unpleasant comments about the female member of "the models" early on and these comments were repeated to them. Later on in the season, "the models" exercised their right to delay another team and chose "the lesbians" out of personal dislike, even though "the lesbians" were already behind with little hope of catching up. Not the nicest thing to do, but it was within the rules of the game. "The lesbians" proceeded to insult the other team repeatedly on camera for the remainder of the time they were on the show and also in their post-elimination interview. They made themselves look much worse than they made "the models" look. They were sore losers, vindictive and bitter. I thought at the time "I hope when they're watching this back, they realize how awful they sound." And then the other day I ran into a friend in the store, we got to talking about someone we both know, and before I knew it, I was relating to her a situation that happened several years ago already that I thought I was long past. And then I felt like a jerk afterwards for having told this person the story when it happened such a long time ago and had nothing to do with her. Normally, this is something I try very hard not to do. I've said that I forgive, I've asked God for his help in forgiving, but apparently I still hold some ill feelings. Something to work on.
I'm very sad to say I've seen more examples of these things in my own extended family and also my husband's family. And even if neither party tells anyone else what is going on, the tension can be enough to make other people start looking at each other and wondering what's up.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for your love - love that never fails, love that always forgives when we ask, and love that keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love you with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Loving our neighbours isn't always an easy thing to do, especially when we feel that the other person has wronged us in some way. I pray that you would help us to remember that covering wrongs promotes love. Help us as we forgive those who wrong us. Help us to be humble enough to ask forgiveness when we've wronged someone else. Help us when we do have disagreements with others to stick to the issue at hand and not throw past mistakes back at them. We thank you for your gifts of grace and of the Holy Spirit - we pray that we would remain fruitful branches, bearing the fruits of the Spirit, the first of which is love. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Scripture
Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Observation
Everybody makes mistakes. Sooner or later a friend or family member will say or do something that hurts your feelings or makes you angry. How we handle that situation obviously affects our own relationship with that person, but it can also affect the relationships around us.
Application
To love is to forgive. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says "{Love} keeps no record of wrongs." Yet how often do you hear of couples, or siblings, or children and parents who keep bringing up past mistakes or problems or misdeeds each and every time they have a disagreement? How often do you hear of close friends or family members who have a falling out over something and neither one will forgive or ask forgiveness?
I'm not saying it's easy to do. It can be a very hard thing to do, especially if you feel you were wronged and the other person doesn't feel they have anything for which they should apologize or make amends. But the tricky thing about forgiveness is that it is often more beneficial to the person who is doing the forgiving than to the one who is forgiven. Holding a grudge is a poison that affects not only the person holding it, but those around them. Especially if you talk to other people about the situation. At times, this spoils the relationship between the other person and the person who was told all the sordid details, but at other times it spoils your relationship with these other people.
Speaking ill of someone can make you look worse than it does the other person. I don't know how many of you watch The Amazing Race. If you watched this past season, you'll remember "the models" and "the lesbians". (These are not my descriptions - this is how they referred to each other on the show. And I can't remember their names.) These two teams disliked each other almost from the beginning, mainly because "the lesbians" made some unpleasant comments about the female member of "the models" early on and these comments were repeated to them. Later on in the season, "the models" exercised their right to delay another team and chose "the lesbians" out of personal dislike, even though "the lesbians" were already behind with little hope of catching up. Not the nicest thing to do, but it was within the rules of the game. "The lesbians" proceeded to insult the other team repeatedly on camera for the remainder of the time they were on the show and also in their post-elimination interview. They made themselves look much worse than they made "the models" look. They were sore losers, vindictive and bitter. I thought at the time "I hope when they're watching this back, they realize how awful they sound." And then the other day I ran into a friend in the store, we got to talking about someone we both know, and before I knew it, I was relating to her a situation that happened several years ago already that I thought I was long past. And then I felt like a jerk afterwards for having told this person the story when it happened such a long time ago and had nothing to do with her. Normally, this is something I try very hard not to do. I've said that I forgive, I've asked God for his help in forgiving, but apparently I still hold some ill feelings. Something to work on.
I'm very sad to say I've seen more examples of these things in my own extended family and also my husband's family. And even if neither party tells anyone else what is going on, the tension can be enough to make other people start looking at each other and wondering what's up.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for your love - love that never fails, love that always forgives when we ask, and love that keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love you with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Loving our neighbours isn't always an easy thing to do, especially when we feel that the other person has wronged us in some way. I pray that you would help us to remember that covering wrongs promotes love. Help us as we forgive those who wrong us. Help us to be humble enough to ask forgiveness when we've wronged someone else. Help us when we do have disagreements with others to stick to the issue at hand and not throw past mistakes back at them. We thank you for your gifts of grace and of the Holy Spirit - we pray that we would remain fruitful branches, bearing the fruits of the Spirit, the first of which is love. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)