Bible Pathways - May 21, 2006

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 burnt offerings. . . . In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee (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 thee. . . . And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream (I Kings 3:5,15). In this dream, Solomon said unto God. . . . Give me now wisdom and knowledge . . . for who can judge (rule) this Thy 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 the king shall 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 (Deuteronomy 17:16). But he even married the daughter of Pharaoh (I Kings 3:1; 11:1). He again defied 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 sitteth 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 makes little difference whether or not we become famous, powerful, or wealthy. But, it is most important for us to recognize that, as He is our Creator, God has first claim on our wisdom and abilities, and on our use of them, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath 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 (for all) (Romans 6:10; Hebrews 10:10-12,14).

Word Studies:

2:2 told out =b> assigned; hew =ut; 2:7 cunning =b> skillful; can skill to grave =b> has skill to engrave; 2:14 find out every device =b> skillful to execute any design; 2:16 floats =b> rafts; 3:5 cieled =b> paneled; 3:10 of image work =b> fashioned by carving; 3:16 oracle =b> inner sanctuary (Holy of Holies).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Official: Rep. Tom Feeney (FL) · Country: Tunisia (10 million) in North Africa · Major languages: Arabic and French · Islamic state — no open ministry for Christ is permitted; strict surveillance of all Christian activities · 99+% Muslim; .3% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice that our Savior lives (John 20:15-18).

Optional Reading: I Corinthians 8

Memory Verse for the Week: Job 13:15