June 21, 2012

"His Wives Turned His Heart Away After Other Gods" (6/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9.

Solomon, the great and wise king, disregarded the warnings given in the Law and allowed the evil influence of others to destroy his relationship with God.

“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the sons of Israel, ‘You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.’ Solomon held fast to these in love. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been” (1 Kings 11:1-4).

This unfaithfulness to God did not only affect Solomon’s spiritual well-being, but it caused God to take the kingdom from him and his descendants.
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June 20, 2012

The Good Old Days (6/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ecclesiastes 7-12.

“Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

It is not uncommon to hear people speak fondly of the “good old days.” But there is a difference between reminiscing of days gone by and making unfair comparisons between the present and the past. The former is acceptable. The latter is “not from wisdom.”
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June 19, 2012

Book Review: Eli’s Quest for Truth

Eli's Quest for Truth (cover)I recently read Eli’s Quest for Truth by Casey Head. It’s a little different than the type of books I typically review here, but I thought it was good and worth mentioning.

This is a fictional story of a Galilean shepherd, Eli, living just before the time of Jesus’ public ministry. Eli sees the different factions that exist among the Jewish people and sets out on a quest for truth, seeking to determine which sect was right so he can become part of it.

As the story progresses, we see Eli’s conversations and experiences as he learns about the Pharisees, Sadducess, Essenes, Herodians, Zealots, and Samaritans. Reading about them in a story like this helps to explain the differences between these groups that are mentioned in the Bible. Eli’s Quest for Truth really helps to shed some light on who these groups were and how they fit into the history recorded in the New Testament.
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June 19, 2012

"Draw Near to Listen Rather Than to Offer the Sacrifice of Fools" (6/19)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ecclesiastes 1-6.

“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:1).

As Solomon and the Jews would go to the temple to worship, we go to various locations to worship God today. The wise man’s warning is necessary for us: be careful how you worship God.
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June 18, 2012

Justice and Its Source (6/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 27-29.

Civil authorities have a role to play in handing down justice to men. Justice is one of the key components necessary to having stability and peace in a country.

“The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it” (Proverbs 29:4).

But what is the basis of this justice? How should we (or the rulers) determine what is just in a given situation?
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June 17, 2012

Like a City Without Walls (6/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 25-26.

“Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit” (Proverbs 25:28).

Building walls around a city was a “great and extensive” work (Nehemiah 4:19). So why is it that so much time, effort, and resources would be used to construct these walls? It is because the walls had a very practical and necessary purpose. They were to help protect the city in the event of an attack.

Understanding the purpose of the city walls is essential to understanding this proverb from Solomon. One who cannot control himself if vulnerable.
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June 16, 2012

There Is No Middle Ground (6/16)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8.

After Solomon completed his house and the Lord’s house, God appeared to him and restated His conditional promise to the king.

“As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel’” (1 Kings 9:4-5).

However, though God was willing to bless Solomon for obedience, He was also willing to punish him for disobedience.
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