Bible Pathways - Apr. 21, 2009
April 21
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Picture King David at death's door. Adonijah, Absalom's kid brother, enters the picture. Oh no! Another plot! But nothing thwarts the sovereign purpose of God. Look who stops the coup (1:11-53). David charges Solomon to walk with God (2:1-4). We should all heed his words. David "sleeps" (2:10).
As we grow old, all of us want to remain useful; but increasing age continues to diminish our strength and narrow our options. Now king David was old and stricken in years (1:1). Just like everyone else, the beloved king became physically feeble. But his spiritual insight had grown even stronger. Spiritual alertness is maintained as we continue to pray in fellowship with our Lord and share the Word of God with others.
David said nothing to Solomon about amassing wealth or enlarging his kingdom. Instead, he stressed the true values of living in obedience to the Supreme King of Israel. His last words to Solomon express his heartfelt desire for his son: I go the way of all the earth: be . . . strong therefore, and shew thyself a man (stand firm against all pressure to compromise); And keep the charge (requirements) of the Lord thy God (2:2-3).
God commanded that Israel's king must not cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way (Deut. 17:16). Sadly, we read that Solomon's first years as king were occupied in accumulating forty thousand stalls of horses for himself (I Kin. 4:26).
God had also commanded all the kings to intimately know His Word: He shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may . . . do (follow) them (Deut. 17:18-19).
The division and eventual destruction of the kingdom of Israel can be attributed to the sins of Solomon. He failed to keep all the words of this Law and these statutes (decrees), to do them (17:19).
Compromise, for us, could include active involvement in secular organizations that rob us of time that could be invested in Christ-centered goals with the Church and other ministries. Let us look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (II Cor. 4:18).
Thought for Today:
If we fail to teach our children the Word of God, they almost always will not obey His Word.
Christ Revealed:
By the oil used to anoint Solomon (I Kin. 1:39). Oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, was poured out upon those chosen for special service. Jesus is God's Anointed One: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good (Acts 10:38). The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor (needy) (Luke 4:18; see Is. 61:1).
Word Studies:
1:2 cherish =be of service as his nurse; 1:6 not displeased =never rebuked or corrected; 2:6 hoar head . . . peace =die of old age in peace; 2:17 say thee nay =will not refuse your request.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Staff: Barbara Jean Loyd • Country: Ireland (3.7 million) off the coast of western Europe • Major languages: English and Irish (Gaelic) • Religious freedom • 92% Catholic; 3.7% Anglican; 1% Other Protestant; .2% Muslim; .1% Jewish; 2% Other; 1% None • Prayer Suggestion: Ask to be guided by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
Optional Reading: Acts 22
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:13
