Bible Pathways 05/21/04
5-21-2004
Read II Chronicles 1 - 3
In Today's Reading:
Solomon's sacrifices; his dream; his accumulation of chariots and horsemen; Solomon builds the Temple
King Solomon began his reign in submission to the LORD his God (II Chronicles 1:1). So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to . . the Tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses . . . had made in the wilderness. . . . And Solomon . . . offered a thousand burned offerings. . . . In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you (1:3-7). In I Kings, we have more complete details of this event. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give you. . . . And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream (I Kings 3:5,15). In this dream, Solomon said to God. . . . Give me now wisdom and knowledge . . . for who can judge (rule) this Your people, that is so great? (II Chronicles 1:8-12). Through this dream, the Lord was revealing to Solomon that his greatest need was to be obedient to the Word of God.
Following the sacrifices at Gibeon, Solomon began accumulating massive numbers of chariots and horsemen (II Chronicles 1:14; 9:25; I Kings 4:26). However, God had commanded that Israel's king shall not . . . cause the people to return to Egypt, to . . . multiply horses; forasmuch as the LORD has said to you, You shall hereafter return no more that way (Deuteronomy 17:16). But Solomon did both and not only multiplied horses from Egypt but even worse he married the heathen daughter of Pharaoh (I Kings 3:1; 11:1) He again ignored the Word of God, who had said: Neither shall he multiply (take many) wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold (Deuteronomy 17:17). Solomon ignored all three of these commandments. But his most serious neglect was his indifference toward the fourth commandment to Israel's kings: When he sits upon the throne . . . he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites. . . . he shall read therein all the days of his life . . . to keep all the words of this Law (17:18-19).
It is pathetic to realize that Solomon never repented of these sins. Consequently, his powerful and famous kingdom was eventually destroyed. It makes little difference whether or not we become famous, powerful, or wealthy. But, it is most important for us to recognize that, since God is our Creator, He has first claim on our wisdom and abilities, and on our use of them, according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue (II Peter 1:3).
Christ Revealed:
By the thousand burnt offerings of Solomon (II Chronicles 1:6). We can be thankful that the one perfect offering of Christ on the cross did away with the need for many and continual individual offerings. He died to sin once (Romans 6:10; Hebrews 10:10-12,14).
Word Studies:
2:2 told out = assigned; hew in the mountain = to cut stones; 2:7 cunning = skillful; can skill to grave = has skill to engrave; 2:14 find out every device = skillful to execute any design; 2:16 floats = rafts; 3:5 cieled = paneled; 3:10 of image work = fashioned by carving; 3:16 oracle = inner sanctuary.
Pray For:
Staff: Bernice Rathbone · Government Official: Rep. Tom Feeney (FL) · Country: Burundi (6 million) in east-central Africa · Major languages: Kirundi and French · Losing religious freedom · 51% Roman Catholic; 12% animist; 11% Protestant; 1% Muslim
Prayer Suggestion: Trust that God will provide your needs when you put His will first in your life (Matthew 6:31-33).
Optional Reading: I Corinthians 8
Memory Verse for the Week: John 10:11
