Today's Reading - 1 Kings 14

 

Jerusalem!

Jerusalem! The very name evokes an emotional response. It seems that no one is indifferent to Jerusalem—one loves her, hates her, or is fascinated by her. Jerusalem is found 881 times in the Bible. Even people who have never walked her streets call Jerusalem the “Holy City,” situated in the midst of the “Holy Land!” 

Jerusalem is a BIG DEAL in God’s Word. In 2 Chronicles 6:6, the Lord said, “I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.” Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and has been at the center of humanity’s existence since the beginning of recorded history. The first mention of Jerusalem, or the city of peace, is in Genesis 14:18, which states: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of the God Most High.” The final mention of Jerusalem is in Revelation 21, where the Apostle John says, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

But, why did the Lord choose Jerusalem as His city? Why would God choose to place His name in such a place? Why is the “City of David” so important to God? The simple answer is – He chose Jerusalem because He wanted to. It must have pleased Him to do so. In reality, the Lord had a story to tell to the world. He decided that Jerusalem would be the “stage” for telling humanity that story. It is the story of God’s love for mankind and His eternal plan to send a Savior into the world to rescue us from our sin. There was something God wanted us to see and He used Jerusalem to help us see it.

Not only is Jerusalem God’s city, it is also His timepiece. Jerusalem is God’s countdown clock for humanity’s survival. As you follow the events taking place in and around Jerusalem, you can see God’s clock ticking toward fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. The final events of world history will culminate there with the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem can be called the City of God, the City of David, the City of Zion, or simply, Zion, but there is a greater Jerusalem coming, and it is all brand new and more glorious than anyone can describe. 

Today's Reading - 1 Kings 13

The Lying Prophet

In 1 Kings 13, we have an instructional incident involving a young prophet (aka “man of God”). This young prophet encountered an older prophet, who invited him to dinner. At first, the young man refused this invitation because he had been commanded by God not to eat or drink while in Bethel. God had specifically told him to return to Judah without accepting hospitality.

But the older prophet insisted. He tried to turn the young prophet away from what God had told him to do.  He lied to him about a so-called “revelation” that he says he received from the Lord, I received a word from the Lord telling me to bring you back to my home to eat and drink.” In fact he tells him, “an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD.” According to verse 18, this was a lie. This so-called prophet from Bethel gave a false word from God, trying to persuade the younger man to change his course from doing exactly what God had told him. Tragically, the young man listened to bad counsel rather than obeying a direct word from the Lord.

The lesson for us is this: We must obey God rather than man, even when man professes to be in contact with God and gives us a “word from the Lord.” When we have received a direct command fresh from the lips of Christ, we must act on it, and not be turned aside by a different suggestion, made to us through the lips of professing Christians.

This young prophet was persuaded to disobey God’s direct command for several reasons. First, because of his age. The prophet from Bethel was older, thus he was afforded a certain credibility as one who was more experienced. Second, because of his profession of being “a prophet of God.” The younger man thus identified him as one with wisdom and authority. Third, because of an alleged supernatural miracle. The older man declared that “an angel” had spoken to him. If true, this would certainly be reason to sit up and take notice of his message. Finally, because the older prophet declared his words as “a word from the Lord.”

You must be careful never to let someone’s age, status, experiences, or declarations persuade you to disobey a direct word from the Lord. Just because someone “seems” to be in touch with the Lord, this is not enough of a reason to listen to and obey their word. You must stay true to the word of God. Exercise your God-given discernment and obey what the Lord has spoken to you. If someone in a position of spiritual authority (pastor, elder, evangelist, preacher, prophet) gives you a word that contradicts the word which God has given directly to you, (even if they are older, more experienced, have greater status, and declare miraculous happenings) you must reject their word and stay true to God’s word. 

 

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 12

Choosing the Right Counselors

After his death, Solomon's son Rehoboam succeeded him as the king of Israel. One of Rehoboam’s first challenges came in the form of a demand from the populous to lighten their burden of forced labor and heavy taxation. Led by a man named Jeroboam (the son of Nebat from the tribe of Ephraim), the nation approached the new king and petitioned him to lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that his father had imposed on them.

Throughout the history of mankind, heavy taxation has repeatedly been the cause of revolt and revolution. There seems to be a pattern among successful nations that, as the nation prospers, the government grows. As the government grows, more taxes are imposed to cover the expenses of operating the government and its burgeoning bureaucracies. As taxes increase, the citizens become more and more burdened, more and more dissatisfied, and look for some relief. In the end, if these levels of excessive taxes are not lowered, the people revolt and the government is at risk of being overthrown.

This is the situation that faces Rehoboam in the early days of his reign – should he listen to the people and lower their burden? Or should he continue “the previous administration’s” policy of big government and high taxes? He doesn’t know what to do, so he turns to his teams of advisers.

The elder team of advisers gives him wise counsel and tells him to “give them a favorable answer.” If you do, they say, you will have won their hearts and “they will always be your loyal subjects.” The younger team of advisers gives him the opposite advice, telling him to display his power and authority by telling them you are going to make their burden even heavier. Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead accepted the opinion of the young men. Predictably, this decision led to revolt, civil war, and the division of the Nation.  The people decided they had had enough and would not put up with his tyranny.

Rehoboam was a leader who did not know two truths about leadership: (1) that a leader is a servant of the people, not the other way around; (2) the best counsel is often found in the older, wiser advisers. The elder men had observed Solomon and knew from experience what would work and what wouldn’t work with the people. Sadly, Rehoboam took the wrong advice. He listened to the counsel of those who knew nothing about leadership, nor how to elicit a loyal following from the people.

The lesson for us is this: Choose your counselors wisely and give greater credence to those with experience and a reputation for godly wisdom. “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

 

Today's Reading - Proverbs 31

The Truly Beautiful Woman

Proverbs 31 is a wonderful tribute to women. Specifically, to the woman who fears God. To the truly beautiful woman. The one that God honors because she honors God. The virtuous woman. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband praises her. What a blessing they are to us. What a value. What a joy. What an asset. You couldn't buy her with rubies. Her value is far above them. What an asset they are to their husband, to their family, and to God.

Here in verse 30, the author (king Lemuel) contrasts how the world values and praises women with how women are valued and praised in God’s kingdom. He summarizes the entire chapter by saying charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear of God.

Charm is deceitful. While the world may value “charm,” the reality is that it is deceitful and can be very misleading. The Hebrew word for “charm” here means to be pleasant and graceful in appearance. But watch out, that appearance can be disingenuous. This means that someone may appear to have your best interest in mind, but they are actually tricking you to get what they want. This, sadly, is the way of the world. This is deceitful. They say one thing, and mean another. This type of charm is not to be praised.

Beauty is vain. The word used here for “vain” is the same word Solomon used in Ecclesiastes – “hevel,” – which literally means “vapor” or “smoke.” Beauty is like “smoke” – it may appear as though it has substance, but when you try to grasp it and hold onto it, it soon vanishes. A woman’s physical appearance is temporary and fleeting – like a vapor which appears for but a moment then disappears.

The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Don’t praise the woman whose outward appearance is misleading or fleeting. Instead, praise a woman for her heartfelt devotion to God. Her reverence for God is genuine (not deceitful like charm). Her inner beauty is permanent (not like physical beauty which fades). The Hebrew word for “fear” in this verse is “yir’â”. When used of God, this word means to have a deep and somber respect and reverence for Him. When a woman is filled with this kind of reverence for God, she is truly beautiful. It is her relationship with God that is a beautiful thing and that makes her the most beautiful of all of God’s creations.

Today's Reading - Proverbs 30

Every Word of God Proves True

Does science disprove the Bible? Does history disprove the Bible? Does archaeology disprove the Bible? Do dinosaurs disprove the Bible? Do seemingly implausible accounts of miracles disprove the Bible? Many have tried to disprove the Bible and every time they’ve tried, they have failed miserably. As we read here in Proverbs 30, “Every word of God proves true!”

Above all other books in the world combined, the Bible has been hated, vilified, ridiculed, criticized, restricted, banned, and destroyed, but it has never been disproven. Many have endeavored to disprove its facts, figures, stories, and other content, but have failed to do so. In fact, over the course of history, hundreds of “scholars” have not only failed to disprove the Bible, but have turned their lives over to the God of the Bible as a result of their research and study. As they uncovered the message of the Bible and became convinced of its reliability, they became followers of Jesus Christ.

One of the more famous Bible skeptics of our day was Josh McDowell who set out “to write a book that would make an intellectual joke of Christianity.” His goal was to prove Christianity a “sham.” But, as he delved into his research, he began to hear the “still, small voice” of God speaking to his heart and convicting him of the “intellectual dishonesty” he was practicing. This conviction created an enormous internal conflict in his mind, will, and emotions. As a result, one night at his home in Michigan, “at the end of my second year at the university, I became a Christian.” His conclusion was, “After trying to shatter the historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the conclusion that it is historically trustworthy.”  Josh went on in 1979 to publish his findings in the book, “Evidence That Demands A Verdict” (Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1979)

Josh McDowell’s conclusion (along with the conclusions of hundreds of other skeptics) was, EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE! All of the revelation of God is free from error, and you can rely on it fully. Though not a science book, every science matter on which is speaks is completely accurate and reliable. Although not a history book, every historical account it presents is completely accurate and reliable. Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection. Do not add to His words, nor take away from His words, or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

 

Today's Reading - 2 Chronicles 9

It's All True!

King Solomon’s reputation for superior wisdom had become renown throughout Israel and its neighboring countries. So much so, that the Queen of Sheba (a territory in northwest Arabia) came to Jerusalem to put his wisdom to the test. After she witnessed it for herself, she said to the king, “It’s all true! Your reputation for accomplishment and wisdom that reached all the way to my country is confirmed. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself; they didn’t exaggerate! Such wisdom and elegance—far more than I could ever have imagined.”

The Queen went on to heap treasures, rewards, and praises upon Solomon and Israel. In her words of praise, she clearly gives God the glory. By her extravagant gifts and her flattering words, she acknowledges (perhaps unknowingly) three truths about God and His dealings with mankind.

First, she acknowledges that it is God’s love for Israel that has brought about such a successful and powerful kingdom. “God’s love is behind this,” she says. What a joy it is when others see something positive in our lives and it gives them a glimpse of God’s love. The very act of establishing and setting apart this one nation for God’s purpose was a show of His deep love.

Second, she acknowledges that God is the one who institutes kingdoms and rulers. She said, “He has made you king over them.” This truth is confirmed in Daniel 2:21 – “It is He [the LORD] who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who know understanding.”  This confirms that all governmental authority derives its power from God who grants such power. According to Romans 13:1, “All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Third, she recognizes that the primary purpose of human government is to “execute justice and righteousness.” The role of governments is to seek, serve, and promote the common good of the people. Based on the truth of the dignity and value of every human being, justice means to give each person that which is due and which, expressed negatively, means to punish evil and, expressed positively, to promote good. Governments aren’t there so the elites can benefit themselves. They exist to benefit the governed. Governments exist solely at the behest of God and are called to govern their citizens with justice and righteousness. Any nation that exists for any other reason or which has corrupted God’s purposes, is doomed to failure.

 

Today's Reading - 1 Kings 11

 

Solomon's Syncretism

Despite his many great qualities and his deep wisdom and insight, Solomon had a weakness – a character flaw – which led to his decline and downfall later in life. He was inclined to dabble with idolatry. He never openly or fully walked away from Yahweh. Never fully rejected his Jewish worship roots. Yet, due to the influences of the many women in his life, he was drawn away into the worship of their “strange gods.”

While Solomon continued to worship at Yahweh’s Temple in Jerusalem, he also undertook the construction of many pagan temples in and around the city. Then he would join in with his wives in the idolatrous and pagan practices of those temples. Thus Solomon, with all of his wisdom, all of his blessings, and all of his Jewish roots, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and his heart gradually turned away from the Lord.  

Rather than blatantly turn away from Yahweh, Solomon attempted to create his “own flavor” of religion by blending together the worship of Yahweh and the worship of idols. Thus, Solomon became the author of SYNCRETISM – the merging together of two (or more) distinct and irreconcilable principles into an un-blendable composite. Syncretism is the attempt to harmonize differing or opposing ideas or principles. It is the fusion of different belief systems. The inevitable result of attempting to do so is that the composite no longer accurately represents the original belief system which must be discarded.

The lesson for all of us is this: You cannot merge God’s truth with any opposing ideas or belief systems and expect to stay true to God. The Bible clearly teaches us that we are not to worship idols nor adhere to their belief systems. To attempt to do so would be a betrayal of truth and inconsistent with the worship of God.

Syncretism is not the total abandonment of a faith.  It is way more insidious and dangerous.  It is taking aspects of a different faith and merging it into another.  Christianity is the faith about following Jesus.  Syncretism is overwriting the beliefs of other faiths or cultures onto this practice.  The intent may not be to create something new.  It may be simply to adapt to the culture.  But it is impossible to mix anything with Jesus without creating something new and unholy. Adding anything to the life and teachings of Jesus and Biblical truth simply creates heresy. A heresy which may go by the label of “Christian,” but in reality, does not conform to the original article. Jesus plus anything is not the real Jesus. We cannot create a new without abandoning the old.  God does not take idolatry – nor syncretism – lightly.