Archive | June 2024

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 174

Jun22

   Day 174—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.

 Day 174 – 1 Kings 12-14. (Rehoboam, the Royal vs. Jeroboam, the Jerk)

2 Kings 11:41-43 describes the last days of Solomon, claiming that even more about him and his wisdom are written in an unknown book, The Acts of Solomon.  King Solomon reigned for 40 years, as did his father, David.

Then, as all kings and paupers do, the king died. He was buried in “the City of David.”  And his son Rehoboam began his reign, heralding the beginning of the downfall of mighty and glorious Israel. 

1 Kings 12 tells of Rehoboam’s “folly.”

Obviously, he inherited NONE of his father’s wisdom and did not ask God for any.  At least he inquired of his father’s experienced advisors about how to rule the people. But he also asked the young men who’d been raised in the palace with him and who knew nothing about living as a common person in the labor force. Basically, it was either ‘be kind to the people and serve them’ or ‘be nasty to them, like a tyrant.’ 

Rehoboam chose tyranny, and the people rebelled.

Waiting in the wings was Jeroboam (the man about whom the prophet Ahijah said would rip ten of the tribes away from the kingdom and rule them).  He easily led the discontented ten northern tribes away from Rehoboam.  Rip-p-p-p-p!  Rehoboam immediately assembled 180K soldiers together to fight the departing tribes, but God said through the prophet Shemaiah. “NO! You shall NOT fight your relatives.”  And (incredibly) they listened to the words of God.

So the kingdom of Israel is now two parts, “Israel” (ten tribes in the north) ruled by Jeroboam, the Jerk, and “Judah” (two tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the south) ruled by Rehoboam, the Royal.  The northern tribes are also sometimes called “Ephraim.”

Here’s why I call Jeroboam “the Jerk.”  God had given him (and his offspring) the northern part of Israel to reign. He set up his capital in Shechem (about the middle of the northern tribes).  BUT he did not trust God and feared that the people – when they went to Jerusalem to worship three times per year – would want to go back to Rehoboam. He didn’t like that possibility, so he built TWO places for Israel to worship; one in Bethel and the other way at the northern tip of the land, in Dan. 

These were not approved worship places for the LORD. No, Jeroboam the Jerk followed the example of ole Aaron and made two calves of gold for the people, saying THESE were what brought you out of slavery in Egypt. WHAT????  He also made priests of anyone who wanted to be one. AND… chose another Feast Day from his own heart to sacrifice to these two idols.   JERK!

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1 Kings 13 is kind of a weird chapter about some prophets of God. 

One (Prophet A) appeared and cried out against Jeroboam at the altar in Bethel while the Jerk was making sacrifices. This prophet said that a future Southern king named Josiah would tear the altar down after sacrificing the false priests upon it!  Whoa!

Jeroboam did NOT like this and tried to waylay the prophet.  But God had told him that under no circumstances was he to stop there, so he slipped away. 

Then another old prophet (Prophet B) stopped the first one who was heading back to Judah. And with a false prophecy, tempted Prophet A to come in for a snack. He did, but God was angry about his disobedience, and when he was finally on his way again, a lion killed him. (Didn’t eat him, just killed him and stood there along with the prophet’s donkey in the middle of the road!)

Well, Prophet B now got an actual word from God: “Prophet A died because he disobeyed Me and listened to you!” Well this prophet went, brought back the dead one and buried him. The town mourned him too. THEN, Prophet B made his sons promise to bury him when he died, in the grave with Prophet A, saying he was a true prophet.) I told you chapter 13 was weird.

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Chapter 14 describes a young son of King Jeroboam the Jerk getting sick.

The king told his wife to disguise herself and go to another prophet, Ahijah, to learn what would happen to the boy. The disguise did not fool Abijah, even though he was nearly blind, and he immediately told the Jerk’s wife that the boy was going to die.

But there was WORSE news. God (through Abijah) told the woman a message to tell her husband. It was also the end of the house of Jeroboam – all the males would be cut off and his house burned up as a man burns up a dung pile. Why?

Because when God “exalted him from among the people and made him leader over His people, Israel, and tore it from the house of David (who kept God’s commandments and followed Him with all his heart) ….. he did evil and made for himself other gods and metal images, provoking God to anger, and he cast God behind his back.”

And, as the woman came to the threshold of her house… the boy died “because in him there was found something pleasing to the LORD, the God of Israel.” (He would not suffer his father’s judgment.)

Eventually, the Jerk died after a 22-year reign.

Rehoboam the Royal reigned for 17 years, and in his fifth year, the king of Egypt came up and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the king’s house.

Eventually, the Royal died too, and was buried in the City of David. His mother was an Ammonite, and during Rehoboam’s reign, high places and pillars and Asherim were built on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were male cult prostitutes in the land, and they did all the abominations of the nations living there before Israel.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 173

Jun21

   Day 173—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  Today, we finish the book of Proverbs.

 Day 173 – Proverbs 30-31. (Humble words of wisdom, a mom’s advice, the godly wife)

Proverbs 30 is written by Agur, son of Jakeh. This is the only mention of him in the Bible. He’s a humble sage.

Verse 2-3 say, “Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One…”

And yet he speaks wisdom in Verses 5-6. “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.”

He likes to make lists.

15-16.  “Four things never say ‘enough!’….”

18-19. “Four things are too wonderful for me to understand…..”

21-23. “Under four things the earth cannot bear up….”

24-28. “Four things on earth are small but exceedingly wise….”

29-31. “Four things are stately in their stride…”

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Chapter 31 are the “words of King Lemuel, as his mother taught him.” Many believe this is Solomon writing the words of his mother, Bathsheba. (They were close, as seen in 1 Kings 1.) 

In verses 2-9, she seems to be scolding the King. Don’t give your strength to women (he has 1,000) or your brains to wine (it’s for the dying and grieving). Speak up for the poor, defend their rights!

(Young and old men alike…  this is good advice!)

Chapter 31:10-31 contains very familiar verses about a godly, strong, industrious, and loving wife.  “She is an excellent wife, far more precious than jewels.”   She treats her husband with honor and respect, “doing good for him all the days of our life.”

She’s a strong and willing worker. She rises before the sun to make breakfast for her household and works late into the night.

She shops, bargains, makes deals, sews clothing and household goods to wear and sell. 

“She opens her HAND to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”   “She opens her MOUTH with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”  Verses 20, 26.“

“Her CHILDREN rise up and call her blessed; her HUSBAND also, and he praises her, ‘Many women have done excellently, but YOU surpass them all.'” Verse 28-29.

“Charm is deceitful,

and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD

is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:30

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 172

Jun20

   Day 172—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading and continue in the History of Israel.

 Day 172 – 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9. (The Queen of Sheba pays a visit to Solomon, his great wealth, and his gradual turning from the LORD.)

News of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth had spread to Sheba (probably Ethiopia) and the Queen wanted to see for herself. She traveled about 1,200 miles to visit Solomon.  She came to hear about “the name of the LORD” and to test his wisdom with hard riddles.

The queen brought Solomon a ton-load of gifts (a hard task, for he had EVERYTHING!)  A very great quantity of mid-eastern spices (“never again came such an abundance of spices”) seemed to top the list, plus “very much” gold (about 4.5 tons) and precious stones. 

The queen told Israel’s king everything on her mind (nice that he let her speak first), and he answered all her questions.  These were riddles, trick questions, to “test” his advertised wisdom.  “There was nothing hidden to Solomon that he could not explain to her.” And she exclaims, 

“The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom,
but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it.
And behold, the half was not told me.
Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard.
Happy are your men!
Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel!
Because the LORD loved Israel forever, He has made you king,
that you may execute justice and righteousness.”

I Kings 10:6-9

Besides what he got from the Queen of Sheba, King Hiram of Tyre brought Solomon gold from Ophir. The weight of the gold in one year was 666 talents (about 25 tons). He made and covered everything with gold, from his 600+ ceremonial shields to his own drinking cups. None were made of silver because silver was considered “nothing” in those days, “as common as stone in Jerusalem.”

Solomon also gathered 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen he stationed in his “chariot cities.”  “Solomon’s import of horses was from Egypt… A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver and a horse for 150, so, through the king’s traders,, they were exported.” 1 Kings 10:28-29

And Solomon built for himself a magnificent throne. It was made of ivory and overlaid with pure gold. It had six wide steps and a footstool of gold. On each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve more lions stood there, one on each end of the steps. “Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom.”  “Thus, King Solomon excelled over all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.”

This reminds me of God’s promise to Solomon the night he asked God for wisdom to rule His people. (1 Kings 3:10-13) “Behold, I give you a discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.”

Unfortunately Solomon was not wise for himself.  i Kings 11:1  says that King Solomon loved many foreign women (Egyptian, Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, Hittite) from the nations which the LORD had said Israel was NOT to intermarry with BECAUSE THEY WOULD SURELY TURN AWAY THEIR HEARTS AFTER THEIR PAGAN GODS. 

“Solomon clung to these in love (700 wives and 300 concubines), and they TURNED AWAY HIS HEART. For in his old age, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God…..

……as was the heart of David, his father.

(Read Deuteronomy 17:14-17 for God’s rule for Israel’s kings, about riches, horses, and wives.)

Solomon built high places for the gods of Moab and Ammon on the mountain east of Jerusalem.  And the LORD was angry with him and said to him, (1 Kings 11:10b-11) “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I WILL SURELY TEAR THE KINGDOM FROM YOU AND GIVE IT TO ANOTHER.

And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon. Hadad the Edomite, and then Jeroboam from Ephraim.  One of God’s prophets told Jeroboam that he would tear 10 tribes from Solomon’s son, and reign in the North. 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 171

Jun19

   Day 171—We are in the sixth month of Bible reading.  We are reading in the book of ECCLESIASTES, the last of the books of “wisdom.”

 Day 171 – Ecclesiastes 7 – 12. (More wisdom, parables, & truth from Solomon.)

Chapters 7 and 10 are full of sayings that are reminiscent of the book of Proverbs. 

7:1 – A good name is better than precious ointment…

7:9 – Be not quick in your spirit to become angry…

7:20 reminds me of Romans 3:10-23: “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”

In his old age, Solomon seems increasingly concerned with death. 8:8 “No man has the power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death.”  8:4-5 “…a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward…”

Solomon almost seems bitter in his advice to the young. 9:7-10.  “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that He has given you under the sun because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the grave), to which you are going.”

I chuckle at 10:20 about “a little birdy told me.”  “Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature will tell the matter.” 

Then, so very WISE advice to the young men that Solomon now seems to envy. 11:9 – “REJOICE, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all theses things God will bring you to judgment.”

Instead, 12:1 says, “REMEMBER also your Creator in the days of your youth…”

Then Solomon writes a beautiful but humorous allegory of extreme old age in 12:1b-7 See if you can see how he has pictured:

weak muscles and bones,

loose teeth,

dimmed eyesight,

hearing loss,

poor sleep,

fear of heights,

graying hair,

loss of desire,

a broken, bent back,

mind and heart failure,

and final death.

THEN, it seems as if he shakes himself from all this melancholy and writes an epilogue… and THE final word of wisdom.

He enjoyed teaching people knowledge, and studying and arranging many proverbs. He sought out words of delight and wrote words of truth. He cautions his son about seeking MORE than all this he has written and of “making many books of which there is no end.” You can almost hear Solomon sigh, “Much study is a weariness of the flesh.”

BUT the truth to remember in all this folly, vanity, and meaninglessness IS: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 170

Jun18

   Day 170—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  Today we are reading in ECCLESIASTES.

 Day 170 – Ecclesiastes 1 – 6. (The words of “the Preacher,” the son of David, king in Jerusalem)

This is the third book of Solomon’s “wisdom.”  Whereas the Song of Solomon seems to have been written in his youth, and Proverbs in his middle years, Ecclesiastes seems to have been written after most of his life is past, in the “evil days of old age.” (See 12:1) 

Thirty-eight times, he sighs and proclaims that “all is vanity” (vapor, nothingness).  Ecclesiastes 1:2. “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

It seems then that Solomon takes a survey to test himself. He tries “everything under the sun” to see if it lasts and is good. 

First is PLEASURE. He tries everything he can imagine – wine, women, and song. He built houses and vineyards, gardens and parks, fruit orchards, and pools. He possessed slaves, herds, and flocks more than any other person. He gathered silver and gold and the treasure of kings. He gained prestige and honor. WHATEVER his eyes desired, he acquired.  

2:11. “…and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

Next, Solomon tries wise living and hard work. He discovers that in the end, both the fool and the wise man die and are forgotten. 2:17-18. “So I hated life because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after the wind. I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool?”

But we see a glimpse of “sanity” in 2:24-26.  “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. THS ALSO I SAW is from the hand of God, for apart from Him, who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases Him, God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy…”

Chapter 3 begins with the well-known comparison of seasons.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven;
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

3:20. “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” 

In Chapter 4, Solomon looks at all the evil under the sun. “I saw all the oppression done under the sun. And behold the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead were more fortunate than the living who are still alive.”

4:13. “Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.”

5:10. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income. This also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them.” 

5:12. “Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much. But the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.”,

5:18, 19b-20.“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.  ...and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil, this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 168 & 169

Jun17

    Day 168 & 169—We are in our sixth month of Bible reading. Praise God!

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 168 – Proverbs 25 – 26 (King Hezekiah’s collection of Solomon’s proverbs)

25:6-7. Both Luke 14:8-10 (Jesus) and James 4:7-10 mention this truth. It’s better to take a lower place and be invited to “Come up” than to assume grandeur and be embarrassed when asked to take a lower seat.   Yes, pride does go before a “fall.”

25:13 and 25. Both of these verses compare good news from a faithful messenger to the cold of snow in September’s heat and cold water to a thirsty soul – refreshing and restoring.  How doubly true when a lost soul hears the Good News of God’s salvation.

25:16  is good advice for a dieter – “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.”  Does this also apply to pesky neighbors? 25:17, “Let you foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of YOU and hate you.”   (Oh, so practical is Solomon!)

25:21-22 is also mentioned in the New Testament by Paul (Romans 12:20), about loving your enemy by feeding him and giving him water… and by heaping burning coals on his head. (???)

25:24. And another unhappy married man and his quarrelsome wife.  (See 19:13 and 21:9)

26: 4&5 is humorous at first reading: “Answer NOT a fool according to his folly…” and “Answer a fool according to his folly…” It shows that there are times to rebuke foolishness and other times to ignore it.

Solomon also pictures the sluggard in verses 13-15 and gossip in verses 20-22. 

26:27 (dig a pit and fall into it, roll a stone, and it will roll over you) reminds me of the fate of Haman in the Book of Esther. The gallows he prepared for Mordecai were used to hang him.  (Esther 5:14 with 7:9-10).

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    Day 169 – Proverbs 27 – 29 (More of Solomon’s proverbs)

James 4:13-16 expands on 27:1. Don’t boast or make bold plans for “tomorrow” because you don’t even know if you HAVE tomorrow. (Instead, say, “If the Lord wills.”  Jesus told the parable about the rich fool who planned to build bigger barns for his abundant crops, but his soul “was required of him that very night.” (Luke 12:13-21)

27:2 – Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.

27:6 – Faithful are the wounds of a friend.

27:21b – …a man is tested by his praise.

The benefits of justice and the law. (28:4-9)

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” 28:13.  This is also seen in 1 John 1:6-9.

28:27. “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who “hides his eyes” will get many a curse.” tells us about helping the poor and not ignoring them.  1 John 3:17-18 says, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet “closes his heart” against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

Proverbs 29: 15 and 17 talk about the rightness of discipline.  15. “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.  17. Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.” 

And so ends Solomon’s proverbs. Chapter 30 is written by Agur, and chapter 31 by King Lemuel.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 167

Jun15

   Day 167—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading and continue with the history of Israel.

 Day 167 – 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8. (The LORD’s second appearance to Solomon and all Solomon’s building projects)

2 Kings 9. “As soon as Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD… the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time.”  “I have heard your prayer and your plea…. I have consecrated this house…. putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”

“And as for YOU, if you walk before me…. with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you… then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever.”   

“BUT, IF YOU TURN ASIDE from following me…. go and serve other gods and worship them… THEN I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among the peoples. And this house… will become a heap of ruins.”

Well, Solomon was forewarned by God. 

The rest of 2 Kings 9 and 2 Chronicles 8 describe Solomon’s massive building program that he undertook after the Temple and his Palace were completed (they took 20 years). He and Hiram, the king of Tyre, collaborated to build cities and ships for foreign trade. Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in Galilee, but after seeing them the king of Tyre didn’t like them. (Did he give them back??)

Again it’s mentioned that Solomon used all the non-Israeli people living in the land as slaves in all his building projects.  He also conscripted Israeli citizens, but they were for soldiers, officials, commanders, captains, chariot commanders, and horsemen. (I assume these were paid wages.)

In addition to the Temple and his own house, Solomon built up “the Millo” and the wall of Jerusalem. (The Millo was a landfill in the depression between the city of David and the Temple complex to the north. The north side of Jerusalem was vulnerable to attack, so this, and the wall were for protection.)

Solomon also fortified the “protection” cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.  He fortified or built other cities for his own uses, such as for “storage” or to house all his chariots, horses, and horsemen.  He built “whatever he desired to build” in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and all the land of his dominion.” 

Then he brought his wife – Pharaoh’s daughter – to the palace he’d built for her because he did not want this pagan wife to live in the House of King David or near the places where the Ark of the LORD had been.

(Smart move, Solomon. Too bad you didn’t keep the holiness of God in your heart throughout your entire reign.)

The end of 2 Chronicles 8 also tells how King Solomon followed the regulations of the LORD, concerning the daily burnt offerings, the Sabbaths, new moons, and the three Festivals Israel was to keep before the LORD.  He also kept the priestly appointment that David had set up for service in the Temple, plus the gatekeepers at each gate.  

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Psalm 84:1-2, 10.“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”  “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

Psalm 100:5. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 166

Jun14

   Day 166—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading and continue with the history of Israel.

 Day 166 – Psalms 134, 146 – 150. (Finishing the wonderful book of Psalms.)

I imagine these Psalms being sung as part of the celebration & dedication of the new Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Psalm 134. “Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the LORD!  Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!  May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth!”

Psalm 146:1-2.  “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

Psalm 147:1-2, 7. “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem. He gathers the outcast of Israel.”  “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving, to make melody to our God on the Lyre!”

Psalm 148:1-4.  “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars! Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!” 

Psalm 149:1-4, 6. “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise to the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in His Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their king! Le the praise His name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.”  “Let the high praises of God be in their mouths and two-edged swords in their hands.”

Psalm 150:1-2, 6. “Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise Him in his mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!”   “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. PRAISE THE LORD!”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 165

Jun13

   Day 165—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading and continue with the history of Israel.

 Day 165 – 2 Chronicles 6 – 7, Psalm 136. (More detail on Solomon’s prayer/dedication of the temple and a song.)

After the Shekinah Glory of the LORD filled the temple, Solomon blessed the people and the LORD. (a little more detail than in yesterday’s reading.)

2 Chronicles 6:2 – “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what He promised with His mouth.”

6:13-14 – “Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like YOU in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.”

Next Solomon lists many instances when Israel would need the judgment and forgiveness of their God.

Verse 21 – “And LISTEN to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. And LISTEN from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, FORGIVE.”

Verse 22 – “If a man sins against his neighbor….. then hear from heaven and act and judge….”

Verse 24 – “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against You, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house…..the hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people…”

Verse 26 – “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you…. if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin… then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants…”

Verse 28 – “If there is famine (pestilence, blight, mildew, locust, caterpillar, plague, sickness) in the land….. whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own sorrow and stretching out his hands toward this house….. then hear from heaven your dwelling place, and forgive….”

Verse 34 – “If your people go out to battle against their enemies… and they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for Your name…. then hear from heaven their prayer and plea, and maintain their cause.

Verse 36 – ‘If they sin against you – FOR THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES NOT SIN – and You are angry with them and give them to an enemy so that they are carried away captive to a land far or near….. Yet if they turn their heart, repent, plead with you, and pray toward their land, the city, and this house… then hear from heaven…. maintain their cause and forgive your people. 

2 Chronicles 7:1 – “As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices.

“When the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For He is good, for His steadfast love (mercy) endures forever.“

Psalm 136 echoes this refrain 26 times after stating the truth about God and all his wonderful acts toward his people through the generations. 

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2 Chronicles 7:11-22  gives God’s response to Solomon’s prayer, with some if/then statements of His own, including a very familiar one about Israel in verse 14. 

"If my people who are called by my name 
humble themselves, 
and pray and seek my face 
and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven 
and will forgive their sin
and heal their land."

Then God reminds Solomon about the opposite. 

Verse 19-20. “But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them…. then I will pluck you up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 164

Jun12

   Day 164—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading and continue in the History of Israel.

 Day 164 – 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5. (The Ark brought to the Temple, Solomon’s blessings)

These chapters tell of King Solomon now bringing the holy furnishings to the temple he (and his dad) built. He did it the “correct way” – carried by poles on the shoulders of the Levite priests.  

As they came from the heart of the City of David to the Temple Mount, thousands of sacrifices were made for sin and for thanksgiving. This was around the time of the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles. There was great rejoicing and celebration with music and congregational singing as the items were put into the new Temple.

1 Kings 8:9 says that nothing was inside the Ark except the tablets of law that Moses put there.  I wonder what happened to the jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded?

1 Kings 8:4 says that the old Tabernacle (tent) was also brought. I wonder what happened to it. Was it stored in some of those rooms alongside the Temple? A good topic to research, maybe.

When the priests came out of the Holy place, a great cloud of glory – the Shekinah of God – filled the temple, so much that the priests could not go near to minister.  “The glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.”  

And Solomon blesses the LORD before the people, telling them that God had fulfilled His promise to them, for a dwelling place among them.  Then Solomon turns and kneels before the great altar, spreads his arms wide, and offers prayer to the LORD God of Israel.  

"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth and with your hand and have fulfilled it this day.

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven, and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built!  

"Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open at night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, My name shall be there, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers towards this place,

"And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. 

"And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear......forgive.

Solomon’s prayer then includes all the possibilities of sin and calamity that may (will) befall the people and begs God to HEAR their confession, forgive their sins, and teach them the good way in which they should walk.

Then he turns again to the people and offers a benediction on them, finishing with: “Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandment.”

Then comes the sacrifices and offerings before the LORD almost without number, and a great feast for the entire assembly of Israel for seven days.

After that, the people go home, joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown to David and to Israel His people.