Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

June 12, 2012

"In the Way Prescribed for Them" (6/12)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4.

When you read the descriptions of the temple, it is easy to be impressed with the great expense and skill that went into creating the house of God. Yet this was not just meant to be aesthetically impressive. There were other reasons as to why it was fashioned as it was.

“Then he made the ten golden lampstands in the way prescribed for them and he set them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left” (2 Chronicles 4:7).

Here we see the description of one of the articles that would furnish the new temple – the lampstands. How were these designed? They looked to the pattern that was given for the lampstand that would be used in the tabernacle (cf. Exodus 25:31-40).
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June 11, 2012

Solomon’s Plan to Build the Temple (6/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3.

When Solomon was about to build the temple, he contacted Hiram (or Huram, depending on the translation), the king of Tyre to receive workers and materials from him that would be necessary for the project. In his message to Hiram, we see four attitudes that Solomon possessed that are important for us to emulate.

“Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, dedicating it to Him, to burn fragrant incense before Him and to set out the showbread continually, and to offer burnt offerings morning and evening, on sabbaths and on new moons and on the appointed feasts of the Lord our God, this being required forever in Israel” (2 Chronicles 2:4).

We first see that Solomon had a desire to worship God according to the pattern He had given to Israel. In building the temple, Solomon was not trying to do things his way, but God’s way.
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June 10, 2012

Do Not Associate With Those Who Are Given to Change (6/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 22-24.

“My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?” (Proverbs 24:21-22).

There are times when change is necessary, both in religion and politics. The warning in this passage is not about necessary change, but change for the sake of change. There are some people who are not content, no matter what, and are always looking for something new, exciting, and different. The wise man says we are to avoid such people.
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June 9, 2012

The Sluggard Begs During the Harvest (6/9)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 19-21.

The sluggard is mentioned several times in the book of Proverbs. In this passage, we learn something else about him.

“The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing” (Proverbs 20:4).

We understand that the sluggard has nothing and is forced to beg because he refuses to work. Other passages also make this point. But this verse builds upon that truth and teaches us something else.
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June 8, 2012

A Worker’s Appetite (6/8)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 16-18.

“A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on” (Proverbs 16:26).

Hunger is the reminder that we need to eat in order to survive. That hunger motivates us to do something that God expects us to do – work. Those who have the ability to work must do so (2 Thessalonians 3:10), from the man who labors by the sweat of his face (Genesis 3:19) to the wife who is a worker at home (Titus 2:5).
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June 7, 2012

Consider Your Steps (6/7)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 13-15.

“The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.

“A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless” (Proverbs 14:15-16).

The wise and sensible man is compared to two different types of people: the naive and the fool. Both of these people end up in sin. The fool acts arrogantly, rejects the truth, and follows after that which is evil. The naive is simply ignorant of the truth and, as a result, ends up believing a false way that on the surface seems to be right. Where the naive and the fool are the same is that neither one is careful to be sure that what he does is right.
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June 6, 2012

Blessings for the One who Sells Grain (6/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 10-12.

People debate the virtues of capitalism and socialism in terms of economic policies. Sometimes you hear arguments made from the Bible for one or the other by religious people (even by irreligious people at times). The following verse is a good one to consider as we try to develop a Biblical view of economics.

“He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it” (Proverbs 11:26).

If people need grain, but one person possesses all of it and refuses to part with any of it, then it is understandable for the people who need grain to think negatively of the one who hoards it.

But if one person has all of the grain and the people need some grain, what should be done? Should he be forced to give it away? Should the government confiscate his grain and redistribute it to those who need it? Should an angry mob come and steal his grain? No, no, and no. What does the Scripture say? He should sell it.
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