In 2 Chronicles 9 and 10 the stories from 1 Kings 9 through 11 are retold. You have the Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon because of his wisdom. I thought is was interesting how she needed to witness his wisdom firsthand with her own senses before she would believe it existed? The rumor of Solomon’s great wisdom proved to pale in comparison to the reality the queen found leaving her breathless. Why are the faults of Solomon left out as he is described in 2 Chronicles? We see the greatness and wisdom of Solomon but It does not speak of his ravenous lust for women which lead towards his downfall. Why the emphasis on the positive side of his life? Chapter 10 recounts the nation of Israel splitting into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the rest of 2 Chronicles will follow the story of the kingdom of Judah. Continue Reading…
Visit to find wisdom and a nation asunder: 2 Chronicles 9 and 10
The amazing and unwavering faithfulness of God: 2 Chronicles 5 and 6
How do people experience God in real and tangible ways yet still wander from Him like a twirling weathervane in a chaotic storm? In 2 Chronicles 5:14 the glory of the Lord filled the newly built temple so that the priests could not enter. From 2 Kings we know that the people of Israel strayed away from God after Solomon’s reign. What hope is there for mankind for overcoming this inherent failure? Are our expectations focused correctly on what truly matters? Do we have a proper perspective on failure?
In 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 Solomon offers a prayer of dedication to God for the Temple. As you read through this prayer of Solomon remember that he has been blessed with a wisdom from God that no man can rival. Solomon pleads with God to remember the promises He has made with the people of Israel. Solomon knew that the most important key to survival was God alone. Continue Reading…
Desire statement about our lives: 2 Chronicles 1 and 2
What would you desire from God if He were to offer you anything? Would our requests reflect our view and opinion of God? In 2 Chronicles 1 Solomon’s requests for wisdom to lead the people of Israel is recounted. There are moments in my life when I think a material need is the most important need I have such as money, a home, or a vehicle. Solomon could have asked for riches but they would eventually lose all value and degrade. In the same way anything I run after in this life is just a fleeting and unable to retain eternal value. I have sometimes thought that my life would come to its ultimate definition if I found a wife but no person can give my life fulfillment. Could a life of perfect health bring hope for tomorrow? Could a life free from conflict bring lasting joy to your life? Continue Reading…
Tools perfected in the hand of God: 2 Kings 5 and 6
Do you place any requirements on your ability to serve God? Do you need assurance that there will be many people, a lot of danger, a great distance between you and home, or a difficult task before you are willing to be a tool of God? How often do you think of the renown that you get in your service at church, the soup kitchen, or the mission field and wish you were recognized more for your work?
The man Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5 was a man of renown within the armies of Aram because God had used him as a tool, a valiant warrior and captain, to bring about a great victory. This man of renown within the Aramean society was also an outcast because he was a leper. Can you imagine how this man hurt because he couldn’t live a normal life let alone enjoy the renown of life that God had granted him? Continue Reading…
The wisdom, wealth, and splendor of King Solomon: 1 Kings 9 and 10
“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.’ But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight.” 1 Kings 9:4-7 NASB This exhortation spoken by God to Solomon mirrors the words spoken to Moses, Joshua and David emphasizing the need for the Israelites to cling to God and not stray away. Continue Reading…
It was God at work yesterday, today, and forever: 1 Kings 3 and 4
Where is perfection truly found? Do you elevate the people in the Bible such as Moses, Ruth, Joshua, Hannah, Samuel, David, or Solomon to higher levels of respect, renown, and awe because of the amazing events they lived through, their actions, or their faith in God? As I have been reading through the old testament I have found myself easily feeling so lackluster compared to the people of faith in times past. Why do I feel so inferior compared to the people in the Bible? Continue Reading…
David’s parting words to Solomon before his Death: 1 Kings 1 and 2
“I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ ” 1 Kings 2:2-4 These words were spoken by David to his son Solomon before his death. What words would you speak to your son or daughter before your death? What words of wisdom gleaned from your life would you deem important enough to instill to the generations to come? If you were standing before your parent who was about to die what impact would their final words make on your life? Continue Reading…
Reflections on wisdom and folly
Tonight I was challenged by Jim Vining to think about Proverbs and the essence of wisdom and folly. When we look at wisdom and folly side-by-side it is easy to see the overwhelming supremacy of wisdom over folly. How often are we faced with that stark contrast in real life? Jim made a point that wisdom is not something that we gain passively but we are invited into a relationship with wisdom. What is the underlying issue with wisdom? I look back on my journey and I see that there is a complexity to wisdom. I entered into a walk with Jesus as my personal savior many years ago and I was foolish and always visiting the door leading to folly. Many years later my relationship with Jesus has grown and developed and I use wisdom more and see things in a clearer manner. What happened over the last 20 years? I think foundation is key. Continue Reading…
