Read I & II Kings 8
In Today's Reading:
Ark brought into the Temple; glory of the Lord fills the Temple; Solomon's sermon, prayer, and dedication
Solomon offered a sacrifice . . . to the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the House of the LORD (8:63). The word "sacrifice" does not mean "a great loss" for it is a gift dedicated to the Lord. However, sacrifices are an abomination if they don't represent an expression of our true inner devotion to the Lord. Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (under compulsion); for God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7).
Solomon prayed the longest recorded prayer in the Bible and stressed to the Israelites the faithfulness of God, who, keeps covenant and mercy with Your servants that walk before You with all their heart ( 8:22-23).
The Israelites were chosen to let the world know there is only One True God. Solomon prayed: That all people of the earth may know Your Name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel. Then he . . . blessed . . . Israel . . . saying. . . . The LORD our God be with us . . . That He may incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His Commandments. . . . That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else (8:43,55,57-58,60). Buddha, Allah, and all other "gods" are false gods for only One God is the The Creator of all things. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
The One True God includes all three persons of the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus, who is God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. A Christian's daily conversation and conduct should express love and loyalty to the One True God. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5-6).
Word Studies:
8:2 Ethanim (later called Tishri) = September/October; 8:37 blasting = blight; 8:47 bethink themselves = learn their lesson and change their minds.
As the perfect Temple of God before whom all kings of the earth one day must bow (I Kings 8:54). God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow (Philippians 2:9-10).
The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Rick Hash · Government Officials: Gov. Jim Geringer (WY) and Rep. Jack Kingston (GA) · Country: Afghanistan (26 million) in central Asia · Major languages: Pastu and Afghan Persian (Dari) · Hostile to Christian evangelization. For a Muslim to convert to Christianity is automatic execution · Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins to the Lord; He is merciful and forgiving (Daniel 9:4-9).
Memory Verse for the Week: John 6:44