1 Kings 15 - Kings Who Walked in the Way of Their Fathers

LINK: 1 Kings 15
Parallel passage: 2 Chronicles 13

BACKGROUND

In the Book of Kings, the story switches back and forth indiscriminately between the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. It is hard to get them all straight, but one general concept I keep in mind is that ALL the kings of Israel were BAD, and eight out of the twenty kings of Judah were GOOD.

This chapter covers four kings:

Abijah of Judah - 1 Kings 15:1-8

Reigned: 913-911 B.C. for 3 years
Character: Bad mostly 

Overlap with Israel's King: Jeroboam I (931-910 B.C.)
Manner of death: Natural
Parallel Story: 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 

Abijah "walked in the sins of his father" and "his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD" (1 Kings 15:3).

Asa of Judah - 1 Kings 15:9-24

Reigned: 911-870 B.C. for 41 years
Character: Good

Overlap with Israel's Kings: Jeroboam (931-910 B.C.), Nadab (910-909 B.C.), and Baasha (909-886 B.C.)

Manner of death: Natural
Parallel Story: 2 Chronicles 14-16

"Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father."

Actions: Removed his idolatrous mother as queen mother and got rid of male prostitutes instituted by his grandfather, Rehoboam. However, he did not get rid of the high places.

Nadab of Israel, son of Jeroboam I - 1 Kings 15:25-31

Reigned: 910-909 BC for 2 years
Character: Bad, walked in the way of Jeroboam
Overlap with Judah's king: Asa (911-870 B.C.)
Manner of death: Murdered by Baasha 

Baasha of Israel (no relation to previous kings) - 1 Kings 15:33-16:7

Reigned: 909-886 BC for 24 years
Character: Bad, walked in the way of Jeroboam
Overlap with Judah's king: Asa (911-870 B.C.)
Manner of death: Natural
Parallel story: 2 Chronicles 16:1-6

REFLECTION

When I read "Walked in the ways of Jeroboam," I wonder what "way" my kids might walk after me. Do my activities model being "wholly devoted to the Lord"?

2014 Update: This post is especially poignant as I send my oldest off for his junior year of college to a very liberal college! Pray for him!

2015 Update: My oldest is thriving, and my youngest is growing. I would appreciate prayer for both of my kids. 

2023 Update: They are both doing great! 

My loves!

APPLICATION

Here is a very good application: 

Using the numbers 1 through 7 only once, rate the following seven influences in the order that you feel that they have affected the lives of your children (or your own life). Use 1 for "most influential," 2 for "next most influential," etc. 

__Television 

__Parents 

__ School 

__Internet 

__Church 

__Friends 

__Brothers/Sisters 

The epitaph, "he walked in the ways of his father," could be penned over almost every king you will read about . . . With surprising regularity the son became a carbon copy of his father, patterning his spiritual and moral actions after those of his parent. 

Parent, if your child walks in your ways, will you be happy or horrified? Tonight before going to bed, give your children the above quiz. Then discuss ways that your family can walk in the ways of the Lord. (The Daily Walk, April 4, 2008)

PRAYER

Lord, draw us to You. Help our hearts to be wholly devoted to You and may that devotion be manifested in our actions that we model to our watching children and the world around us. May Christ shine through us in everything we do because it is for You we live, and move, and have our being. We pray this to the Glory of Christ our King. Amen.

Psalm 89 – God’s Covenant to David Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

LINK: Psalm 89

BACKGROUND

We do not know the particular disaster Judah is facing in this psalm, but it is traditionally associated with what you read yesterday in 1 Kings 14, the invasion of Judah by Shishak of Egypt around 925 B.C.  

This royal psalm was written by Ethan the Ezrahite who was a wise Levite man in the time of Solomon (See 1 Kings 4:31, 1 Chronicles 15:17-18,). It is a song that praises God for His covenant faithfulness and loyal love with His chosen one, David. It is a prayer that reminds God of His covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:5-16); that He would establish David's line forever and implores God to end the particular disaster they are facing. Remember that the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7 is hugely important in the Scarlet Thread of Redemption. Know it well!

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

This psalm looks forward to the future reign of Jesus Christ, David’s descendant and “firstborn” (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15,18; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:5). Psalm 89:27 is a prophecy concerning David’s line that would last forever. It will reach its ultimate fulfillment and fullest expression when Jesus Christ reigns over the world (see Revelation 22:5)!

REFLECTION

I also shall make him My firstborn,

The highest of the kings of the earth. 

(Revelation 19:16)

My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever,

And My covenant shall be confirmed to him.

So I will establish his descendants forever

And his throne as the days of heaven.

(Psalm 89:27-29)

Jesus is that descendant of David whose throne has been established forever! This is something to reflect upon. 

APPLICATION

If someone makes a promise to you, and then circumstances change, making it seemingly impossible for that person to keep his word, you are faced with a choice: you can either let your problems cast a shadow on his promise, or allow his promise to shed light on your problems. It all depends on the trustworthiness of your promise-maker.  

God made a promise to David (89:3-4) that's recorded in 2 Samuel 7:13-16. God promised David an everlasting house, throne, and kingdom. Yet, at times it appeared David's family line was doomed. On at least two occasions the "royal family" was reduced to but a single member (2 Chronicles 21:4; 22:10-12). Did that mean God's promise was faulty? Not at all! It only high-lighted the importance of daily faith in the Promise-Giver.  

Label one side of a sheet of paper "God's Unkept Promises"; the other, "Promises God Made -- and Kept." Then do your own survey of Noah, Abraham, Jonah, and others. What did they discover about the promises of God? Does that shed light on God's promises for you?  (The Daily Walk, June 17, 2008, p. 22)

Recording the promises of God and their fulfillment is a good thing to do as you continue reading through the Old Testament this year. 

PRAYER

We will sing of Your great love forever for sending us Jesus, and it is in His name we pray, Amen.

2 Chronicles 12 - Halfhearted Rehoboam

LINK: 2 Chronicles 12
Parallel passage: 1 Kings 14:21-31

BACKGROUND

Rehoboam of Judah
Reigned: 931-913 B.C. for 17 years
Character: Bad mostly

Because Rehoboam had "abandoned the law of the LORD" and "been unfaithful to the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12:1), the LORD was "provoked to jealousy" (1 Kings 14:22).  In this particular military campaign, he carried away the temple and palace treasures. Shishak took control of 156 cities.  

The Temple of Amon wall at Karnak depicts a list of city-states conquered by
Shoshenq I (Shishak) in his Near Eastern military campaigns.
By Olaf Tausch - Own work, CC BY 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9870676

Unlike the 1 Kings 14 account, this account includes the Prophet Shemaiah (2 Chronicles 12:5) who tells Rehoboam and the leaders exactly why they were being invaded: "You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak." This account also records their humble response:  "The Lord is just." Because of their repentance, they were not totally destroyed. Again, the divine perspective is central in the 2 Chronicles account. 

Even though there was "some good in Judah" (2 Chronicles 12:12), Rehoboam's life is summed up in verse 14:

He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.

How very sad!

FUN FACT: Chronicles focuses on the descendants of David as legitimate rulers of the nation and does not acknowledge the northern kingdom of Israel. The reigns of the eight good kings of Judah are given twice as much coverage in the Bible as the 12 evil kings of Israel.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Here are some symptoms of a halfhearted love for God taken from the life of Rehoboam: 

1. Your words and actions promote division not peace. 

2. You rely on your own strength, rather than God's. 

3. You worship God only when it is expedient for you. 

4. You distort God's plan and purpose for the family. 

5. You acknowledge God only when you feel helpless. 

Rehoboam's self-serving indifference came to a sudden halt when God brought him face to face with death in the person of Shishak, king of Egypt. In humble helplessness, Rehoboam acknowledged his own wickedness and God's righteousness. 

Are you halfhearted in your love for God? Then clear the channels of communication with Him. Admit your waywardness, acknowledge His righteousness, and get back in step with Him. (The Daily Walk, April 23, 2008, p. 29)

PRAYER

With my whole heart
Lord, let me love You
With my whole heart
None above You
Praise and love You
With my whole heart.
Amen

1 Kings 14 - Unrighteousness of Jeroboam and Rehoboam

LINK: 1 Kings 14
Parallel passage: 2 Chronicles 12:1-16

BACKGROUND

Jeroboam of Israel

Reigned: 931-910 B.C. for 22 years

Character: Bad

Even though Jeroboam sent his disguised wife to the prophet at Shiloh, Ahijah still prophesied of the death of Jeroboam's son, Abijah (notice the close spelling of the prophet's and son's names), and the downfall of Israel for its blatant violation of the commands of God. He specifically said that he would scatter them because they provoked the LORD to anger for making Asherah poles. These were wooden images made for the worship of Asherah, a Canaanite mother goddess. Also, Ahijah prophesied that a king would cut off the family of Jeroboam I, and we will see this come true in 1 Kings 15:27-30.

Rehoboam of Judah
Reigned: 931-913 B.C. for 17 years
Character: Bad mostly 

Rehoboam's three-year period of listening to the Lord and acting upon it came to an end. Judah did evil by setting up high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles on every high hill and spreading tree. They even had male prostitute shrines. 

The worst thing was that the palace and temple treasures were carried off by Shishak, king of Egypt in 926 BC. Shishak was also known as Sheshonk I, the founder of the 22nd dynasty of Egypt, who ruled from 935-914 B.C. He is the king who had given asylum to Jeroboam I when he fled from Solomon (1 Kings 11:40). In this particular military campaign, Shishak took control of 156 cities. This is recorded on the exterior wall of the Temple of Amon at Karnak in Egypt. 

The temple wall depicts a list of city-states conquered by
Shoshenq I in his Near Eastern military campaigns.
By Olaf Tausch - Own work, CC BY 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9870676

It says his army penetrated as far north as the Sea of Galilee. He wanted to reestablish Egypt as a world power by trying to regain control of trade routes.

There is a parallel story of both Jeroboam I and Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 9:29-13:22 . From this account, we learn that the "LORD struck [Jeroboam] down and he died."

REFLECTION

Here are some reasons given for the appeal of idols given in The Life Application Bible, p. 575:

POWER 

The people wanted freedom from the authority of both God and the priests. They wanted their religion to fit their lifestyle, not their lifestyle to fit their religion. 

Modern Parallel 

People do not want to answer to a greater authority. Instead of having power over others, God wants us to have the Holy Spirit's power to help others. 

PLEASURE 

Idol worship exalted sensuality without responsibility or guilt. People acted out the vicious and sensuous personalities of the gods they worshiped, thus gaining approval for their degraded lives. 

Modern Parallel 

People deify pleasure, seeking it at the expense of everything else. Instead of seeking pleasure that leads to long-range disaster, God calls us to seek the kind of pleasure that leads to long-range rewards. 

PASSION 

Mankind was reduced to little more than animals. The people did not have to be viewed as unique individuals, but could be exploited sexually, politically, and economically. 

Modern Parallel 

Like animals, people let physical drives and passion rule them. Instead of seeking passion that exploits others, God calls us to redirect our passions to areas that build others up. 

PRAISE AND POPULARITY 

The high and holy nature of God was replaced by gods who were more a reflection of human nature, thus more culturally suitable to the people. These gods no longer required sacrifice, just a token of appeasement. 

Modern Parallel 

Sacrifice is seen as self-inflicted punishment, making no sense. Success is to be sought at all costs. Instead of seeking praise for ourselves, God calls us to praise Him and those who honor Him.

APPLICATION

Read through the modern parallels above and talk to God about them. What will be your "I will" statement for today? 

PRAYER

Lord, keep us close to Your side so that we might never stray from You into areas of idolatry. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah

LINK: 1 Kings 13

BACKGROUND

Now we are back to the Jeroboam I, King of Israel (931-910 B.C.). Since we are doing this chronologically, you will need to be switching back and forth between 2 Chronicles and 1 & 2 Kings now. It is really helpful to look at the "Kings of Israel and Judah" link on the upper right-hand side of this blog page.

The anonymous man of God from Judah made a remarkable prophecy that would be fulfilled 290 years later. He prophesied that Josiah, of the house of David, would sacrifice the priests of the high places on the altar in which Jeroboam stood. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B.C. and did just that in 2 Kings 23:15-20! A shriveled hand and split altar confirmed the prophecy as coming from God. Notice that Jeroboam I refers to Yahweh as "your God" and not "my God" when he asks the prophet to ask God to restore his hand. The prophet obeyed God and would not accept Jeroboam's hospitality, but he was seduced (through deception) into disobeying God by an older prophet in Israel. Commentators do not know why this older prophet seduced the anonymous prophet. He must have been an apostate prophet if he was living with an apostate king. The anonymous prophet died and was buried in Israel because he listened to this prophet instead of obeying God.

Despite this doom-filled prophecy, Jeroboam I did not change his evil ways. Stay tuned for the outcome of this poor decision.

No REFLECTION or APPLICATION today. 

Keep reading and try the application from yesterday! It is helpful to listen and obey every day. Try to make it a habit. It is helpful to write down what God tells you, so you do not forget. Since God often says things to me in the shower, I have a shower crayon so that I can write what he tells me on the wall. :) 

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to listen to and be obedient to Your voice above the voice of hearsay. Help us to be discerning and not accept what people say as truth unless it lines up with Your Word. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

2 Chronicles 11 - Judah's King Rehoboam Listens

LINK: 2 Chronicles 11
Parallel Passage: 1 Kings 12:21-24

Remember that anytime we are in 2 Chronicles, we are always talking about the Kings of Judah because the purpose of Chronicles is to highlight the importance of the temple and the religious revivals in Judah. The Kingdom of Judah is in focus from 10:1-36:23. 

BACKGROUND 

Judah's King Rehoboam 
Reigned: 931 - 913 B.C. for 17 years
Character: Bad Mostly
Overlap with Israel's King: Jeroboam I (931-910 B.C.)
Manner of Death: Natural 

The 1 Kings account of Rehoboam recounts the event, but 2 Chronicles 11 centers around the divine purpose behind those events that we read in 2 Chronicles 10:15: "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His word . . ."  The question was: Would Rehoboam listen?

In this chapter, Rehoboam did. He heard and obeyed God's message through Shemaiah. As a result, God blessed his building projects (11:5-12), his people (11:13-17), and his family (11:18-23).

The King of Israel, Jeroboam I, had put his own priests in place and led the ten northern tribes into the worship of goat and calf idols; but for three years, King Rehoboam led the people of Judah into the worship ordained in the Law of Moses. This resulted in the migration of many priests and Levites in Israel to true worship in Judah. 

Even though Rehoboam was blessed with many children and acted wisely in the distribution of his sons through all the territories of Judah (11:23), he did disobey God by taking eighteen wives and fifteen concubines (Deuteronomy 17:17). We know that was the downfall of his father Solomon!

REFLECTION

Rehoboam had three glorious years. Let us bask in that for a while because I hate to say it, but it will not last!

So, what is going to keep us walking with God for the long haul? Do we want to finish well?  YES!

So, why did Rehoboam succeed for those three years?

They listened to the words of the LORD. (11:4)

He acted wisely.

(11:23)

There is a simple pattern here: Listen and act upon what God tells you!

APPLICATION

This is the key to a day-to-day, 24/7/365 life of walking with the Lord: Listen and obey. I know it sounds simple, but that is it.

I have recommended this book before, and I will do it again until you order it: God Guides. I have yet to meet anyone who has not loved this simple book. Most people order more to give away. It is that good. Remember to have a daily "listening time" and write down what God tells you. Then do what He tells you to do. 

In addition, I am reading a sweet book with the elders and wives of our church called More Than Ordinary: Enjoying Life with God by Doug Sherman (turns out I know the man that discipled him and wrote the foreword to the book!). It is a very simple concept, but it is about walking with Him 24/7/365.  

The principles in this book are super simple. If every believer followed them, their lives would be transformed!  Sadly though, we can sometimes be like Rehoboam.

PRAYER

Lord, empower us to listen and obey for the long haul! We want to live extraordinary lives for You. Amen.

1 Kings 12 & 2 Chronicles 10 - A Divided Kingdom

Oldtidens_Israel_&_Judea.svg: FinnWikiNoderivative work: Richardprins, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

LINK: 1 Kings 12 & 2 Chronicles 10 

(Read over the next two days)

Our review of last year from Adam - Solomon has concluded.

From now on, we will combine the history recorded in 2 Chronicles 10-36 with 1 Kings 11-22 & 2 Kings.    Our history will take us all the way to the return from captivity during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.  The story of Esther, the warnings of the prophets, and the remaining Psalms are also included.

Make sure you download this helpful handout (that I spent hours preparing): 

"Overview and Timeline of YEAR TWO"

Also, follow the link to the Kings of Israel and Judah in the pages bar of this blog. I refer back to them often while reading this part.

Now get ready for a BUMPY ride!

BACKGROUND

Then I hated all my labor in which I toiled under the sun, 

because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 
And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?

(Ecclesiastes 2:18–19)

These are the words of Solomon, and the man who came after him was his son, Rehoboam, who was a fool. He listened to the advice of his young advisers, and it cost him the loyalty of the ten northern tribes of Israel who would divide from the two southern tribes of Judah. The northern tribes made Jeroboam, who had been in exile in Egypt, their king. Only the word of God through Shemaiah prevents a civil war from breaking out.

Even though all Jewish men were to travel to the temple three times a year (Deuteronomy 16:16), Jeroboam made two golden calves and set them up in Bethel (10 miles north of Jerusalem) and Dan (the northernmost city in Israel) to keep the people of Israel from going to Jerusalem and possibly losing their allegiance. Calves were idols that symbolized fertility and strength. He set up his own worship centers on the high places and appointed priests who were not Levites, which was forbidden. Bethel eventually developed a reputation as a wicked and idolatrous city (Hosea 4:15-17; Amos 5:4-6).

The division of the kingdom occurred in 931 B.C.

REFLECTION (written in 2008)

I told George that I was sad to have to get to the divided kingdom today. He said, "Yes, it is sort of like reading the story of the Titanic because you know how it is going to end up, so you don't want people to get on that boat!"

Division is so sad. I heard about it tonight as a friend we have known for many years poured out his heart about how his church divided this past year. It went from about 800 people to 250. When he and the other members of his board went to try to reconcile, they were told by many to get off their property. He sees former members of his church in the local grocery store, and they walk the other way. We encouraged him to seek out people to help do mediation and peacemaking, but he feels it is too late. We are so grieved.

I am also sad about the division I see (and have seen) in our country over the last several years. We are so divided. Can we come together ever again?

2023 Update: The division in our country is even worse than when I first wrote this in 2009!

APPLICATION

Pray for unity in our country and churches.

This website is a great peacemaking resource: Peacemaker Ministries

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for unity in our nation. I pray against division, and I pray for peace. I also want to pray for this heartbroken friend who grieves over the lack of peace in this city because of the division of his church. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

2 Chronicles 9 - Solomon's Wisdom and Fame

LINK: 2 Chronicles 9 
Parallel passage: 1 Kings 10-11

Today marks the end of our review of the history we covered last year!

BACKGROUND 

In 2 Chronicles 1, we read that Solomon asked for wisdom, and God granted it to him. His wisdom was so well known that it prompted a visit from the gift-bearing, Queen of Sheba (modern-day Yemen). She traveled over 1,200 miles to see him. This is proof that the news of his wisdom and the wealth of his glorious rein had traveled throughout the ancient world. He was so well known that kings came from everywhere to hear the wisdom that God had put in Solomon's heart (2 Chronicles 9:23). 

Remember King Hiram who called the land that Solomon gave him "good-for-nothing" (1 Kings 9:12-14)?  In this passage, we can see that Hiram benefited from his trade with Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:10, 21). 

Solomon had military (2 Chronicles 9:25), political (9:26), and commercial (9:27-28) power. He had a large kingdom, but it still did not extend to the parameters set out in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15:18).

The end of this account mentions the writings of the prophets Nathan (1 Kings 1:11-13), Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29), and Iddo (2 Chronicles 12:15; 13:22).  We do not have any of these records today. 

Also, this account does not mention Solomon falling away from the Lord. You can read about that in the parallel account in 1 Kings 11.

Solomon reigned 40 years from 971-931 B.C. ending the united kingdom of Israel. The divided kingdom starts tomorrow. 

No REFLECTION and APPLICATION today. 

PRAYER

Lord, give us Your wisdom so that others will be drawn to You. Amen. 

2 Chronicles 7 & 8 - Lord, Let Your Glory Fall

LINK: 2 Chronicles 7 & 8
Parallel passage: 1 Kings 8 & 9

BACKGROUND

After the sacrifices and Solomon's prayer, fire came down and consumed the burnt offering and sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. Can you imagine what that would have been like? This event is not found in the 1 Kings 8 account. The fire was a sign of divine acceptance. It had occurred at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Leviticus 9:23-24) and David's offering at the threshing floor of Onan (1 Chronicles 21:26).

After the dedication and Feast of Tabernacles, the LORD appeared to Solomon encouraging him that if His judgment should befall them due to their sin, they need only turn to Him in humility and repentance, and He would forgive and restore them. We will see this put into practice in 2 Chronicles 12:6-7. Yet, like every covenant text in the Near East, there were blessings if the subservient party obeyed the king and curses if they did not. God warned Solomon that He would uproot them from His land and His house and send them into exile if they did not obey Him. Of course, we know that Solomon did worship other gods (1 Kings 11:4-8), and many of the kings of Judah followed down this same path of disobedience. Eventually, they were exiled to Babylon, and the beautiful Temple of Solomon was destroyed (36:19).

2 Chronicles 8 tells us about Solomon's fame and success politically, religiously, and economically; but it does not mention that Solomon introduced pagan shrines and worship (1 Kings 11:1-3). We do see an inkling of his first step away from God when the chronicler mentions that Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter which was forbidden by God's law (Deuteronomy 7:3, 4).

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

I have been reflecting on how it must have been to see the fire consume the sacrifices and the pure praise that followed. Here is a method of meditation that is great for this type of passage:

The Loyola Method (Ignatian Imaginative Contemplation)

Adapted from the “Spiritual Exercises” of Ignatius Loyola

PART ONE
(Preparation)

a. In prayer, ask God for grace to direct your thoughts, words, and actions to service and praise of his Divine Majesty.

b. Read the passage upon which you intend to meditate. Read unhurriedly, but without attempting yet to meditate on the passage. Your goal now is simply to familiarize yourself with the passage.

c. Determine an objective for your meditation time and ask God to help you accomplish it. If the passage you choose, for example, is the account of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1–7, your objective may be a sense of awe and humility as you contemplate the mystery of your Savior’s entry into the
world.

Usually this preliminary request is formulated in terms of some emotion you wish God to give you as a result of your meditation. Ignatius Loyola believed that the ultimate purpose of meditation is application (that is, an act of the will), and that the will is motivated primarily by emotion rather than reason.

PART TWO (Meditation)

a. Visualize the scene. In the case of Luke 2:1–7, see in your mind the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Is it level, or does it wind through valleys and around hillsides? See Mary, in her ninth month of pregnancy, riding on a donkey, accompanied by Joseph who is perhaps leading an ox. They are going to Bethlehem to pay a tax. What kind of people are they passing on the way? Soldiers? Peasants? Merchants? Other families? Study in your imagination the place of the Nativity. Is it spacious or cramped? Clean or dirty? Warm or cold? How is it furnished?

b. Assume the role of one of the characters in the passage, or of someone else who might be present. In Luke 2, for example, you could be the hotel’s servant or maid.

c. Now apply your five senses to the scene. Look carefully, watching all the action. Use your ears as you listen in on conversations.

Then apply your senses of smell and touch. What odors are present? What quality of garments are being worn? Feel the woodwork of the manger. Smell and feel the straw.

Apply your sense of taste—is there anything there to eat?

d. Analyze your own feelings as a member of the scene. How do you feel about what is happening? How do you feel about the persons involved? How do you feel about yourself?

PART THREE (Conversation)

Talk to Joseph, Mary, or someone else in the scene. Talk to them about the thoughts that have come to your mind as you have meditated on this passage.

Or you might even want to talk to God or to the Lord Jesus. 

This conversation should in most cases lead to some form of action or personal application. (Wilson, Kent R., Discipleship Journal, Issue 6, (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress) c1999)

Here is a HANDOUT for this exercise. I also encourage you to do many more of these by doing the entire Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. Scroll down on this page to see an explanation for them. I lead individuals and groups through them starting in September/October. 

May you have a time of pure praise today as you listen to this song based on 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 by Matt Redmond. It always gives me chills!

"Lord, Let Your Glory Fall"

PRAYER

Lord, we worship You for Your goodness and enduring love today. Lead us into focused praise and devotion as we go through our day today. Keep us on the path to You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

2 Chronicles 5 & 6 - The Glory of God Fills the Temple

LINK: 2 Chronicles 5 & 6
Parallel Passage: 1 Kings 8:1-53

BACKGROUND

The seven-year building project was complete, and the temple was dedicated during the fall festival of the Feast of Tabernacles. In this special case, the celebration lasted for two weeks instead of just one. This feast commemorated Israel's years of wandering in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:33, 41-43). How appropriate to have the dedication of the temple happen during this feast since the permanent temple marked the end of Israel's wanderings. It is also fitting because the Ark had led Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness.

The temple is referred to as the "house" of God thirty-seven times in 2 Chronicles 5-7. It was the place where the presence of God dwelt between the cherubim above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (Psalm 80:1). This is why Solomon's first act needed to be the placement of the Ark of the Covenant in the temple.

After the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies with much praise and worship, the cloud filled the temple representing the glory of God. This also happened at the Tabernacle dedication (Exodus 40:34-35). The temple was not a "container" for God because God is everywhere, but it was a place where His presence and character would be evident.

Following this, Solomon blessed God and dedicated the temple in prayer with his hands spread toward heaven. Rightfully, Solomon acknowledged that God could not be contained in a temple, but he asked the Lord to recognize the temple as a focal point of communion with His people, Israel. Solomon also prayed regarding crime, enemy attacks, drought, famine, foreigners, war, and sin.

I wanted to point out one thing regarding Solomon's prayer for foreigners. These were people who would come to Israel because they had heard of the greatness of the Lord and His temple. Israel was to be a "light" of the glory of the one true and living God to all the Gentile nations, not just hoard God's presence for themselves. Note what Solomon prays in 6:42-43:

Also concerning the foreigner who is not from Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your great name's sake and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house, then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.

Remember that a predominant theme in the Scriptures is God's desire that all the peoples would know His name. Our God is a missionary God!

REFLECTION

He is good; his love endures forever. 

(5:13)

I have been rejoicing in God's goodness lately. How about you?

APPLICATION

Take some time to reflect on God's goodness in Your life and praise Him today!

PRAYER

Lord, You are good. We praise You for Your goodness to us today. Amen.

2 Chronicles 3 & 4 - Building Solomon's Temple

LINK: 2 Chronicles 3 & 4
Parallel passage: 1 Kings 6 & 7

BACKGROUND

In these chapters, the temple is built and furnished properly according to God's specifications. This temple was much grander than the simple Tabernacle. It was rich and lavish, fitting the God who would manifest His presence there and built grand for a GRAND God! This grand size was able to hold the big crowds who would visit for the major feasts with the largest of these being the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover (2 Chronicles 30:13). The larger size could also accommodate the many priests and the equipment required for the many daily sacrifices (2 Chronicles 5:6). 

The temple was the best that humans could design. Their craftsmanship was an act of worship to the Lord. 

As mentioned in a previous post, this temple was built on Mount Moriah, which was north of the Jebusite city of Ophel. It was also the threshing floor of Araunah ("Ornan" in Hebrew). This is the place where the plague of punishment for David's census stopped in 1 Chronicles 21. In addition, it is the place where Abraham offered up Isaac to the Lord in obedience to God's command in Genesis 22. Today, it is the Temple Mount, which is occupied by the Muslim Dome of the Rock. Recent excavation suggests the temple may have been a bit north of the Dome of the Rock (Asher S. Kaufman, "Where the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem Stood, "Biblical Archaeology Review 9. March-April 1983, pp. 40-59).

This description of the temple construction is much less detailed than the one in 1 Kings 6, but this is probably because the people who returned after the exile were already familiar with the details of the temple. On the other hand, the details of the furnishings are much more detailed than in the 1 Kings account.

Also of note is the sea of cast metal (1 Kings 7:23, 39). This replaced the bronze basin of the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:18).

REFLECTION (written in 2009)

Our church is building a new building. Building programs can sometimes make or break a church seeming too frivolous compared to Jesus' commission to "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-20). I have tended to fall into the "too frivolous" camp but reading this account makes me realize that it is not wrong to want to build a place to glorify God. Even I have to agree that our current facility, which was fine for about 300 people, has been bulging at the seams with almost 750 men, women, and children attending every Sunday. Our "Forward in Faith Capital Campaign" has been so honoring to God. Our elders have been so prayerful and sensitive to the Spirit. It has been so wonderful to see people give in the spirit of 1 Chronicles 29. We had our first commitment Sunday after forty days of prayer, seeking God's face for how much he would have us give. It was all done without pressure or manipulation. It was just beautiful. I was particularly touched when the many youth in our church went forward to make their commitments and give. Our first Sunday nearly met the entire goal with more pledges coming in daily.

The construction will begin very soon, and I want to pray that God will build a place for His glory to dwell and for people to come to know Him and grow in Him for many years to come! I am so excited, and this is NOT like me to get excited over a building. So, we will keep on praying that He will continue to be glorified there!

APPLICATION

Are you using a part of your material blessing from God to bless someone else's life today? I want to grow in the area of giving in faith. How about you?

What about those of you with the gift of "Creative Craftsmanship"? Are you using this gift to glorify God?

PRAYER

Lord, You have blessed us abundantly. Praise You for Your abundant provision of our every need. We love You. Help us to grow in faith to give beyond what we believe is humanly possible. You have blessed us to be a blessing to the world. Teach us and guide us for Your glory. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

2 Chronicles 1 & 2 - Walking Wisely and Preparations for the Temple

LINK: 2 Chronicles 1 & 2

Parallel Passages: 
2 Chronicles 1 - 1 Kings 3:1-15; 1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 10:26-29
2 Chronicles 2 - 1 Kings 5

BACKGROUND

We are still in our review of what we have already covered in Year One of the Bible Book Club.

Overview of 2 Chronicles

The book of 2 Chronicles begins with the building of Solomon's temple and ends with Cyrus' edict to rebuild it 400 hundred years later. 

While 1 Chronicles 10-29 portrays the life of David, who ended well with God; 2 Chronicles, on the other hand, portrays the deterioration of the spiritual life of Judah. Temple and temple worship remain central. While the righteous kings of Judah and the religious revivals are highlighted, 2 Chronicles is a sad tale of spiritual decline.

Here is the general structure and a timeline of the book:

2 Chr. 1-9 - King Solomon - 971-931 B.C.

ISRAEL AND JUDAH DIVIDE INTO NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN KINGDOMS-- 931 B.C.

2 Chr. 10-20: Rehoboam - Jehoshaphat (931-848 B.C.)

2 Chr. 21:     Jehoram/Joram (848-841 B.C.)

2 Chr. 22-24: Ahaziah - Joash/Jehoash (841-796 B.C.) 
                      [Prophets: Obadiah, Joel]

2 Chr. 25-26: Amaziah - Uzziah/Azariah (796-750 B.C.) 
                      [Prophets: Jonah, Amos]

2 Chr. 27-32: Uzziah - Hezekiah (750-697 B.C.)
                      [Prophets: Hosea, Isaiah, Micah]

2 Chr. 33:      Uzziah/Manasseh - Amon (697-640 B.C.)                      
                       [Prophets: Isaiah, Micah, Nahum]

2 Chr. 34-35: Josiah (640-609 B.C.) 
                       [Prophets: Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Habakkuk]

2 Chr. 36:      Jehoahaz - Zedekiah (609-538 B.C.)

2 Chronicles parallels the books of 1 and 2 Kings being a commentary for them. The emphasis is on the Kingdom of Judah with the northern kingdom, Israel, being ignored. Two of the major reasons for this are that Chronicles was written for the Judeans who had returned from captivity in Babylon, and Judah represented David's line in which the Messiah would come!

(Download the TIMELINE of YEAR TWO History with Poetry and Prophets for a more detailed chronology of the rest of the Old Testament)

BACKGROUND

2 Chronicles 1

Solomon and the leaders of Israel went up to Gibeon to offer 1,000 burnt offerings at the bronze altar because the Tabernacle was located there (1 Chronicles 16:39-40), but the Ark of the Covenant was still in Jerusalem where David had pitched a tent for it when he brought it from Kiriath Jearim (1 Chronicles 15:1)

1 Kings 3:3 indicates that Solomon had love for the Lord, but he offered sacrifices at the high places which were in opposition to God's Law to do so (Deuteronomy 12:13-14), but God also said to offer them at the Tabernacle (Leviticus 17:3-4), and this is where the Tabernacle was located at the time. The most popular high place of the Canaanites was at Gibeon, five miles north of Jerusalem. But it was the main religious center for Israel until Solomon built the temple. 

Solomon was visited by God the night he had made the sacrifices. 1 Kings 3:5 says it was in a dream. This was common in ancient Israel (Genesis 28:10-15; 37:5-7). Solomon's request for an understanding (literally "hearing") heart (1 Kings 3:9), wisdom, and knowledge (1:10) to rule and judge the people of Israel and discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9) was very pleasing to God who gave him wisdom and discernment and more! 

Solomon was lauded for his great wisdom, writing 3,000 proverbs and 1005 songs. If you have been following along with the Bible Book Club schedule you read Song of Solomon and some of his many proverbs last year. 

Although he started out his reign with much wisdom, Solomon accumulated horses and chariots (1:14-17; 1 Kings 10:26-29). This was prohibited in Deuteronomy 17:16. Consequently, he did not end well. 

2 Chronicles 2 

David was a warrior and not a peacemaker. Consequently, God did not want him to build the temple. Solomon enjoyed peace from all his enemies and could now employ all his wisdom and energy toward managing this God-ordained, grand undertaking. 

The parallel account of this passage in 1 Kings quotes Solomon as saying, "I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God" (1 Kings 5:5). The Hebrew root of the word "intend" means to "make visible." He wanted to make what was just something in his father's mind a visible reality. The King James Version says "I purpose to build a house . . ." I like that! 

So, with this life purpose, he gathered the finest material and conscripted laborers. Four hundred and eighty years after the Israelites left Egypt, having built for Pharaohs who worshiped false Gods, Solomon started the project that would define his reign. 

REFLECTION (written in 2009)

I am always blown away when I read that this brand new, twenty-one-year-old king asked for "wisdom and knowledge" rather than wealth and political power. How many twenty-one years olds do you know who would ask for this?

According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary, "'Wisdom" (ḥoḵmâh) refers to discernment and judgment while 'knowledge' (maddā‘) means practical know-how in everyday affairs." We all need that!

I could have used discernment, judgment, and practical know-how yesterday while talking to a person. I felt parts of our conversation were not edifying, and I just did not know how to wisely turn the conversation. The good news is that most of the friends I hang with are very careful with their tongues.

The people in my church are very careful too (I haven't heard ANY gossip in almost three years of attendance!). I have not been around this kind of conversation for a long time. That is probably why I was so caught off guard when this person started putting down the daughter of one of my dear friends (whom she doesn't really know) calling her "immature" and "weird." At first, I tried to interject positive things about that person and other people she was speaking negatively about. It did not work. Then, I tried to steer the conversation away from talking about other people altogether and on to the Lord.

At one point on our walk, I said, "Enough about all of that, what are you learning from God lately?" I don't think she heard me because the conversation continued. I got tired. I should have said I had to go. Sadly, the conversation deteriorated from there with me falling into my own bit of talking in an unedifying way. UGH! I love my friend, but I just felt very unwise and void of knowledge at the end of our time. 

Sigh. I wished I would have stopped and prayed or even walked away, but I did not.

So, I am up this morning repenting and seeking God's face. I pray that in the future He might give me wisdom and knowledge in using my tongue to glorify Him and in dealing with difficult situations like yesterday. The pruning never stops.

2014 Update: I find that you become like the people you hang around. I am so careful about being around people who use unedifying speech now. 

2023 Update: Still no gossip at my church, and it has been 17 years now. 

APPLICATION

Are you dealing with any difficult decisions or situations right now? Ask God for wisdom and knowledge to navigate those waters in a way that honors and pleases Him. I am meditating and praying through Ephesians 5:1-20 today as an application.

PRAYER

Lord, forgive us when we walk unwisely before people, and teach us to "be careful how we walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of our time because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5: 15, 16). We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.