pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Humility and Love

Reading: 1st Kings 3:3-14

1st Kings 3:5b – “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.”

In our reading today God comes to Solomon in a dream. He has just become king, succeeding his father David. While David has set a great example for Solomon, all wasn’t perfect. The temple had not yet been built so people are sacrificing at local shrines. As we begin our reading we see that this is also Solomon’s practice. We also see that Solomon loved God and sought to walk according to the Law. Solomon goes to Gibeon and offers a very large sacrifice to God. Gibeon was the location of the Tabernacle. The ark of the covenant, however, was in David’s tent in Jerusalem.

That night God appears to Solomon in a dream. God says to Solomon, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.” What an open-ended question! Before pressing on in our passage, we pause to ask ourselves: What would be my response to this question? Solomon’s response demonstrates both humility and his love of God. After thanking God for walking with David and for passing the kingship on to him, Solomon acknowledges his youth and inexperience. Accordingly he asks for “a discerning mind in order to govern your people” and for the ability “to discern good from evil.” Solomon also recognizes the impossibility of leading Israel without God’s help.

The Lord is pleased and grants Solomon’s requests. These requests were aligned with God’s will and plans for Solomon and for Israel. In addition, God grants Solomon wealth, fame, and the possibility of “a very long life.” This last part is contingent upon Solomon’s continued faithfulness to God.

Solomon sought to honor God with his request. His humility and Love of God drove his petition. May it be so with us as we lift our petitions to the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to walk in humility, recognizing our need for your direction on our lives. Lead us to see with honest and clear eyes and hearts, recognizing our own weaknesses. Fill us with your presence, empowering us to bring you the glory in all we say, do, and think. Amen.


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What Promise, What Hope

Readings: Psalms 46-49

‭Psalm 47:2 – “Because the LORD Most High is awesome, he is the great king of the whole world.”

Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

Our first three Psalms are about trusting God and celebrating God’s power and might. Psalm 49 comes as a warning about trusting in something other than God. While this Psalm is about the danger of trusting in wealth, we could substitute self, status, power, beauty, fame, possessions… There are more than a few false gods that we can worship instead of the one true God.

Psalm 46 celebrates God as our refuge and strength – always. Storms will come. Some are powerful. Life will rain on our parade. Yet God is always there. God won’t crumble. God is our place of safety. This theme is picked up in Psalm 49, except this one is about physical safety. God is in the very walls of Jerusalem. The city is a place of safety and security. Within the walls one also finds God’s righteousness and justice. These too dwell in the city of God.

Psalm 47 celebrates God as “the great king of the whole world.” God subdues the nations and chooses Israel’s inheritance. God will subdue the forces of this world too. God will reign over all those voices that clamor and vie for our attention and allegiance. It is a choice we all must make: to listen or not.

Psalm 49 addresses this choice. The author begins, “Listen closely… rich and poor alike.” He or she offers this wisdom: “Wealth? It can’t save a single person!” By the way, the psalmist says, the wise die too. But those who “do right in their heart” – the psalmist(s) declare, “God will save my life from the power of the grave.” What hope, what promise. May we set our hearts on doing right.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many choices about what or whom to follow, on what to be consumed by. O Lord our God, be our consuming fire. Like a moth to a flame, draw us into your presence. Refine us in your fire. Draw us into the power of your love. It has the power to save. Guide us deep into that love. Amen.


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Good, Evil, Good, Evil…

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 25, 2nd Chronicles 26, 2nd Chronicles 27, 2nd Chronicles 28

2nd Chronicles 25:15 – “Why do you seek the gods of this people? They couldn’t even deliver their own people from you!”

Amaziah begins today’s readings about the kings of Judah. He did what was right in God’s eyes – mostly. In verse 2 we read, “but not with all his heart.” I think this is typical of most Christians today, myself included. We want to and try to follow God faithfully and obediently but the flesh inside each of us rises to the top now and then. This seems to be a part of being human.

Amaziah leads and administers well. He has successes. Then he decides to worship false gods. A prophet comes to him and asks, “Why do you seek the gods of this people? They couldn’t even deliver their own people from you!” Great questions. He gets angry at the prophet. In arrogance and foolishness he challenges King Joash of Israel. Judah and Amaziah are soundly defeated, humiliated, and looted. Amaziah is killed by his own people. Uzziah succeeds him. As long as the prophet Hezekiah is instructing him, Uzziah is faithful and has success. He becomes powerful and wealthy and famous. Arrogance sets in and he begins to worship false gods. The priest Azariah confronts Uzziah burning incense in the temple. Uzziah gets angry and God gives him a skin disease. Uzziah lives isolated the rest of his life. His son Jotham runs the kingdom.

Jotham becomes king next and does right by God. He rebuilds and wins battles. Ahaz succeeds him as king after 16 years. Ahaz is thoroughly evil. He worships Baal. He burns his sons alive in the altar of a pagan god. He suffers massive defeats. Israel shows great mercy and faithfulness, caring for and returning prisoners taken in battle. Even this faithful act does not change Ahaz’s evil heart. He instead aligns himself with Assyria, inviting disaster upon Judah. His reign ends by closing up the temple and the destruction of the temple equipment – by Ahaz. He is not buried with the other kings.

Prayer: Lord God, lessons learned: faithful -> good things… disobedient -> bad things. These are connections we know and understand. Yet we can struggle to be faithful and obedient. Lord, help us in our daily walks of faith. Strengthen us in our moments of weakness and temptation. Help us through. Amen.


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The Ideal King

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 5:2-14, 2nd Chronicles 6, 2nd Chronicles 7, 2nd Chronicles 8, 2nd Chronicles 9

2nd Chronicles 5:13c – “Yes, God is good! Yes, God’s faithful love lasts forever!”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Our readings today begin with the dedication of the temple. All Israel gathers as the chest, tabernacle, and holy items are brought up to the temple. As the chest is placed in the holy place, this praise is lifted to God: “Yes, God is good! Yes, God’s faithful love lasts forever!” These words of David, originally spoken when the chest first came into Jerusalem, will be repeated again and again.

Solomon offers a long and beautiful prayer. In many ways he asks God to be with them and to hear and answer their prayers. Prophetically he even included an acknowledgement of sin that will lead to exile. Solomon prays that even then and there, God will hear the prayers of their changed hearts. Fire falls from heaven as God’s initial response to Solomon’s prayer. A great amount of sacrifices and a huge celebration follow. These two things are connected – a holy BBQ!

God visits Solomon again, reiterating God’s covenant loyalty and a deep willingness to listen to Israel’s prayers – if they are obedient, humble, seeking God, and turning from their evil ways. It is as if this last part were a given. Solomon’s reign and legacy will last forever if he and his descendants also walk in these ways.

The last two chapters testify to Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and fame. He builds and builds. He receives the Queen of Sheba and other foreign powers, adding to both his fame and wealth. He is far and away the greatest king ever. Here ends the chronicler’s report on Solomon as he dies after ruling Israel for 40 years. Solomon has been portrayed as the ideal Davidic king. The chronicler returns to reality as the story continues with Rehoboam.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read and celebrate this part of Solomon’s reign, may we also remember his shadow side as well. Yes, the mountains are magnificent. But the valleys are there too. The valleys are the proving grounds, the refineries, the places of formation and shaping. May we value both, O Lord. Amen.


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Temple Completion

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 1, 2nd Chronicles 2, 2nd Chronicles 3, 2nd Chronicles 4, 2nd Chronicles 5:1

‭2 Chronicles 1:1 – “Solomon, David’s son, was securely established over his kingdom because the LORD his God was with him.”

2nd Chronicles begins in a great place – Solomon is “securely established” as the king of Israel. He gathers all Israel and offers a great sacrifice at Gibeon. God appears that night in a dream, inviting Solomon to ask for whatever he wants. It is wisdom and knowledge to lead well. God grants this request as well as promising wealth and fame – the two things other kings would’ve asked for. Solomon acquires a vast number of horses and chariots, evidence of his wealth.

Chapter 2 through 5:1 covers the building of the temple. Solomon secures a needed craftsman as well as lumber from Hiram of Tyre in exchange for wheat, barley, wine, and oil. A huge immigrant work force is gathered and construction begins. The temple is built on the former site of Ornan’s threshing floor. The main temple is built, followed by the porch and the holy place. All is covered in gold, gems, carvings, and embroidery. Winged creatures are made for the holy place. The curtain and two columns are made. The altar, Sea, lampstands, tables, and bowls are made. Lastly, all of the small pieces are made: tongs, wick trimmers, censers…

Now that the temple and all of its equipment is completed, Solomon brings the gold, silver, and other objects that David has dedicated to God to the temple treasuries. All is set to dedicate the temple to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, what great detail. What great care. These are echoes of the detail and care that went into the construction of the tabernacle. God, help us to give such great detail and care to the building of our faith. And, Lord, may our lives reflect the magnificent beauty of your love. Amen.


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Dangers and Trappings

Readings: 1st Kings 9, 1st Kings 10, 1st Kings 11

1st Kings 9:6-7 – “However, if you or your sons turn away from following me… then I will remove Israel from the land… and I will reject the temple.”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

Our readings begin with God’s second visit to Solomon. God has heard his prayers and will “put my name” in the temple. God reminds Solomon again of the charge to walk faithfully with the Lord. God also warns, “However, if you or your sons turn away from following me… then I will remove Israel from the land… and I will reject the temple.”

We next gain some insights into Solomon’s building projects. Towns are given to Hiram and he questions their worth. Solomon forces all non-Israelites into work gangs. Yet outside of Israel, Solomon’s fame grows. The Queen of Sheba comes and questions him. She sees his wisdom and wealth. These are so great “it took her breath away.” She leaves many gifts and she offers a blessing. This foreign queen sees God as the driving force behind Solomon’s success. Others come to see Solomon, leaving tribute as they go.

In chapter 11 we begin to see Solomon’s struggles. He marries many, many foreign women. God had warned him: “They will definitely turn your heart towards their gods.” They do. Solomon worships their gods and builds shrines and altars so that his wives (and others) can worship these foreign gods. An angry God visits Solomon. God begins, “Because you have done all this…” Almost all of the kingdom will be torn away. But it will happen during his son’s reign and one tribe will remain with Solomon’s family. Both of these “gifts” are because of God’s love for David.

Next we learn of some of Solomon’s enemies. Hadad and Rezon are nuisances, picking away at the edges. There is no longer peace in Israel. Jeroboam will be the greater challenge. In his youth he had impressed Solomon. The prophet Ahijah meets Jeroboam and tears his new garment into 12 pieces. Handing Jeroboam ten he tells him that God will give him ten tribes to rule over. Ahijah tells him that if he will walk faithfully with the Lord… Well, we know that story.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are reminded of the dangers and trappings of the things of this world – wealth, possessions, fame. In and of themselves these are not evil. They are not a guarantee of sin. But they so easily entangle, so easily give us a false sense of security and identity. Lord, no matter our place in life, remind us again and again, draw us back over and over. Moment by moment, whisper into our hearts and keep us walking in your ways. Amen.