June 14 - 2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalm 136: The Hesed of the Lord Never Quits!

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalm 136

The Message

English Standard Version

Today's reading from 2 Chronicles mirrors almost exactly the reading from yesterday. Because of that I will summarize and comment only on what was added at the end of chapter seven.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The Hesed of God never fails!

Summary in 100 Words or Less

After Solomon dedicated the Temple to the Honor of God, God appeared to Solomon and accepted his prayer. He promised to stop any plague in Israel if they would only return to Him and pray. God's name would be stamped on the Temple forever; however, that would not prevent God from destroying His own Temple stone by stone if they would not listen to Him. This also applied to David's promise—if Solomon's sons obeyed God they would stay on the throne. Disobedience meant destruction. God would use them as an example to the nations, this time as a warning.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 136

This call-and-answer psalm praises God, the real god in a sea of fake gods, who created everything and took care of His Chosen People. The psalmist ends by reminding the responders how God took care of Israel when they were down and in need. The response after each line is exactly the same each time: "His Hesed (lovingkindness) never quits!"

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God would not spare his own Temple built by the chosen king in the chosen land He gave to His Chosen People.

Reminiscent to Moses' words to Israel prior to entering Canaan, God presents both sides of the coin to being His Chosen People. There are great and wondrous promises—land, peace, prosperity, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. They would become an example to the nations, a testament to their god's Awesome Blessings. There are also equally great and wondrous punishments—persecution, captivity, destruction, and ruin. They would become an example to the nations, a testament to their god's Awesome Judgment. Even the Temple that Solomon built would not stand if they did not obey God. Warning: Those who take up with God will be greatly blessed. Those who later take up with other gods will be equally punished. Remember this the next time you consider choosing to be God's Chosen Person on this earth and warn others before becoming a Chosen Person on this earth. It is for anyone; but it is not for everyone.

God's Hesed Endures Forever!

This word has many translations. In the New American Standard Bible it has 19 different renderings! Unfortunately, the richness of this word is completely lost and often flattened to the highly-overused word "love." We could be grateful, since we would not like to read or repeat "For His devout, faithful, good, kind, loyal, merciful, righteous, and unchanging love endures forever." Yet that is what is being presented here. God's [insert wonderful, amazing and long list of exclamations of greatness] never quits! That is also something to weigh before becoming a Chosen Person of God.

Have you decided to become a Chosen Person of God?

June 13 - 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5: The Pinnacle of Ancient Israel: the Dedication of the Temple

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

This could possibly be the peak for the Israelites as a culture and a nation.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple with multitudes of sacrifices.
God entered the Temple, ending all other work by the priests.
Solomon blessed God for his peaceful kingdom. He prayed:
"God, keeper of all promises if we obey, are You really moving into our neighborhood? Stay forever!
"We will sin. You will punish us with plagues, drought, and captivity. When we return our hearts, return our land. Foreigners, attracted by your majesty and grace, will turn their hearts and prayers to You. Hear their cry, too!"
Solomon charged Israel with these words and sent them home.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Obedience (not perfection) unlocks God's promises and returns God's favor.

Solomon makes this clear when he mentions David's promise, "You'll always have a descendant to represent my rule on Israel's throne, on the condition that your sons are as careful to live obediently in my presence as you have" (1 Kings 8:25, The Message), and in his prayer to God for the removal of punishments,

then they pray at this place, acknowledging your rule and quitting their sins because you have scourged them, listen from your home in heaven, forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Then start over with them: Train them to live right and well. (8:35-36)

Solomon understood that God would punish His Chosen People. But punishment would not be the final word! If Israel learned from their mistakes and tried to follow God again, Solomon called on God to save and return Israel to their land. Obedience brings God's blessings into fruition. If you are being punished, obedience and a contrite heart will restore God's blessings.

God's reputation attracts foreigners.

In his dedication prayer, Solomon specifically mentions the foreigner who "has come from a far country because of your reputation" (8:41). Solomon wants God to bless the foreigner, too, because God blesses anyone and doesn't differentiate between the Chosen and the non-Chosen. The entire world praises Him because of His mighty works!
What does this mean for churches today? At first it seems to be obvious—God blesses anyone who prays to Him, regardless of their "Chosen" status. Although this may seem easy to comprehend the implications of it are difficult for Christians. Christians do not hold a monopoly on God's blessings. We have spent so much time focusing on what Solomon said about Israel that we forget to read the section on foreigners. God's name is famous around the world because of His wondrous works. Anyone who wishes to set things right on this earth does so with His help, even if they do not acknowledge it openly.

Are you bringing God's blessings into fruition?

June 12 - 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4: Solomon Finishes God's House, Builds His Own

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4

The Message

English Standard Version

Today's reading also has a lot of technical details. However, I do not want you to miss these, since they include the details of how the Temple of God was built by Solomon. If you get bogged down in the detail remember there will not be a test at the end of the reading.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

No expenses were withheld—Solomon made the Temple for God a wonder to behold.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Solomon continued building: a judgment hall lined with cedars, magnificent houses for his wife (Pharaoh's daughter) and himself. Each one spared no expense in the smallest detail. These buildings took 13 years to finish.
Solomon sent for Hiram (the Israelite, not the king of Tyre) to produce bronze furnishings for the Temple. They created several large items out of bronze to support the Temple's weight and to put inside. They made so many utensils from bronze they could not weigh them properly to ascertain the exact value. This finished the construction of God's Temple.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Solomon spared no expense to build his houses.

God blessed Solomon greater than any of his predecessors. Solomon uses this wealth both to build a Temple to honor God and build houses for himself and his wife, Pharaoh's daughter. When God blesses you greatly, after you bless God you can live in luxury, too! All luxurious living is not righteous living; all righteous people do not live in poverty. Neither extreme is correct. If we received our riches honestly and honor God first, luxury can be a blessing from God.

What do you think of Solomon's homes and the Temple?

June 11 - 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3: Solomon Builds a Temple in Honor of God

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3

The Message

English Standard Version

Today's reading has a lot of technical details. However, I do not want you to miss these, since they include the details of how the Temple of God was built by Solomon. If you get bogged down in the details remember there will not be a test at the end of the post.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God would reside with the Israelites if they obeyed Him, not if they built Him a lavish house.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Solomon enjoyed peace.
He sent letters to Hiram, king of Tyre, requesting materials and skilled labor to build a magnificent temple to honor God, since God is magnificent. Hiram praised Solomon for his wisdom and sent the needed materials along with Huram-Abi, a highly-skilled man, to supervise. Solomon sent grain and olive oil to Hiram as payment.
Thousands of Israelites readied raw materials. The materials were cut to spec offsite to reverence the site. The work took seven years.
During construction God came to Solomon and gave a covenant that if Israel obeyed God He would live with them.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The Temple honored God's name because God's name is greater than all other gods.

This distinction is important for that time period. Temples were meant to be places where the gods literally lived; however, the Temple Solomon built was meant to honor God or be in God's name. Solomon is adamant about this:

The house I am building has to be the best, for our God is the best, far better than competing gods. But who is capable of building such a structure? Why, the skies - the entire cosmos! - can't begin to contain him. And me, who am I to think I can build a house adequate for God - burning incense to him is about all I'm good for! (2 Chronicles 2:5-6, The Message)

He understood the enormity of his task and asked for Hiram's help. Hiram previously helped David build his house, so Solomon calls on their old family friend to help. God deserved a place to honor His Name because God is greater than all other gods!

Hiram, a non-Israelite, honored God because Solomon honored God.

We have seen non-Israelites honor God in the past. Hiram saw Solomon's wisdom and knew the source—the God of Israel. His reply summarized in 2 Chronicles 2:11, "It's plain that God loves his people - he made you king over them!" provides an excellent example of how people who are not God's Chosen People can understand and honor God when His Chosen People honor Him. When God's Chosen People honor God the whole world will notice.

The importance of the Temple was not its structure but its symbolism.

God comes to Solomon and tells him that the importance of the Temple did not lie in its existence, beauty, or intricate design. The importance of the Temple was the sign that God lived with His Chosen People when they obeyed Him. A temple without obedience would be no help to Israel (as we will see in the months ahead). God would reside with Israel because they loved Him, not because they built a lavish house for Him.
Our temple today, our bodies, should also mirror that sentiment. If we set things right on this earth God will resides in our temples, our bodies. God will not reside with us if our bodies are not used to set things right, no matter how beautiful, strong, or adorned it may be.

Do you set things right on the earth with your temple?

June 10 - Proverbs 22-24: Solomon's Thirty Precepts

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 22-24

The Message

English Standard Version

Today's reading ends the concentrated Proverbs reading. We will pick up with Proverbs in a week to read the last of Solomon's section.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

A lazy man eventually ends up poor.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God made both the rich and the poor.
The poor will be ruled by their creditors.
Generous people are blessed because they give to the poor.
Solomon gave thirty principles on treating the poor, anger, gambling, changing boundaries, excelling at work, good impressions on influential people, getting rich, stingy people, helping fools, cheating orphans, spanking children, respecting parents, envying rebels and bad people, the effects of drinking, whores, building a house, wisdom vs. strength, wise conversations, evil reputations, staying strong, rescuing the perishing, eating wisdom, hurting godly people, laughing at plight, avoiding braggarts, and fearing God.
Naps lead to poverty.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The rich and the poor are equally made by God.

Solomon has encouraged both the rich and (today) the poor to develop a listening relationship. He warned the rich that riches gained with shady practices are no help. He warned the poor that their bad habits bring on their poverty and servitude. He tells the rich to help the poor and not crush them because they can. Neither the rich nor the poor can laud over the other. They are all equal in God.

The lazy use danger to excuse work to their demise.

Solomon mentions laziness twice in this section. The first is a lazy person terrified of a theoretical lion that could eat him if he went into the fields. The second is the result of these excuses—an overgrown field. Lions did live in Israel. However, the likelihood that a lion would attack while working would be very low (or this proverb would be callous). The lazy person, however, does not allow logic to get in the way of a good day's rest. Fear causes excuses which cause poverty.
Today, we may not fear lions, and tigers, and bears (oh, my!) in the streets, but we do allow fear to prevent us from getting into the lives of others, especially those who may have checkered pasts or may live dodgy lives. We may also allow fear to prevent us from applying ourselves to our jobs and therefore limit the amount of blessings we receive. Do not give in to fear—it will lead to poverty.

People who excel at their work will be highly rewarded.

In a jaded age where we question success, Solomon calls us to remember that successful people are not born overnight. They hone their craft and develop a reputation of success. This reputation helps them become successful. Those who excel at their work will always be in demand.

Disciplining children help them become wise.

There is a thriving debate over whether spanking helps or harms children. To give some perspective on this advice, Solomon has seen three of his half-brothers do terrible things. These terrible events happened because their father was unwilling to correct them. So Solomon's suggestion that "a spanking won't kill them" (23:14, The Message) comes from what he has seen. Discipline your children. If it requires spanking, spank. If it doesn't, don’t. Do not think of this as either a blanket cure-all or a barbarous, antiquated suggestion.

Excuses to not help the perishing are not valid.

I will openly admit I'm a libertarian (with a little "l"). When I read this I recoiled in pain. I know many libertarians (big or small "l") who would disagree with this proverb. However, I would like to put this into context. Solomon has often encouraged not helping a fool because a fool will turn against and fight you. This is a very simple and clear standard: fool = those who fight help, therefore do not help. So I doubt Solomon is contradicting himself here. I believe he is repeating what he wrote a few chapters back that if we have the means we should help someone. If a person is dying, would receive help, and we can help them we are under obligation to help them because of their advocate, not their humanity. Individualism aside, we must help those who in need when we can.

What are your thoughts on the "Thirty Precepts?"

June 9 - Proverbs 19-21: Riches Gained Honestly Help the Poor

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 19-21

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God examines our inner reasons behind our outer actions.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Wealth is a great help, but only if acquired honestly. Poor people wrongly blame God for their poverty.
Wealth is passed on by parents but a good wife comes from God alone.
Mercy given to the poor is a loan to God. God never defaults.
Too much alcohol is not fun.
Leaders should have a keen eye for shoddy work.
Develop a plan with wise people as your guides.
God will settle scores.
God hates when customers cheat or are cheated.
Clean living is better than religious piety.
Hope for good. Prepare for the worst. Trust God to bring victory.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Riches are a great help—if they are acquired honestly.

Everyone wants to be rich. But lately there is a famous saying going around, "more money, more problems." Solomon would write it differently, "more money gained unjustly, more problems." Riches can be helpful to supply needs, gain friends, and help the poor. What dictates whether riches help or hurt is in the attitude for gaining riches. Riches gained with humility are blessings from God. Riches gained from dishonesty or boasting cause great problems. It is better to be poor than be a liar. However, having riches also gives the opportunity and the resources to help the poor. Riches are God's way of telling you it is time to help others.

Allow angry fools to be trapped on their own.

The problem with helping fools with their anger is that they neither want help nor will accept it when it arrives. They will eventually get angry with you and nothing will be accomplished. It is much better to let them to learn on their own through their own mistakes. Love angry, quick-tempered fools by allowing them to fall on their own.

Do not cheat in the marketplace.

This idea is repeated twice in the same chapter. Solomon wants people to understand—wrong practices which hurt customers or business owners are rejected by God. There are no they-can-afford-it excuses. Wrong practices are always wrong.

Those who search for goodness and life find both!

God is found where goodness and life intersect. If you want to find God, search there.

Do you live an honest life?

June 8 - Proverbs 16-18: Truth Lies on Both Sides

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 16-18

The Message

English Standard Version

Today's reading begins the unfocused section of Proverbs, meaning each two lines may seem completely unrelated. Therefore, the summaries from here on out will consist of proverbs that stand out to me instead of a true "summary" of what is included in the texts.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Real truth lies under the surface.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Humans make plans and see the surface only. God's plans are truly good. God has a purpose for everything, even the wicked.
Good leaders bring out the best in their followers by showing them the right way through honesty, seriousness, and gracious speech.
A small amount with peace is better than bounty with fighting.
Generations take pride in each other.
Friends overlook wrongs and stay closer than family.
Talk is cheap; silence makes a fool seem wise.
Selfish loners destroy communities.
Fools choke on their words.
God's Name protects those who humbly submit.
Favors win friends.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

When God is in charge of your plans they come true.

The main idea of the first section is that God can see deeper than people and therefore His plans will always come to fruition. If you want to be successful, begin your plans with God.

Good leaders model godliness.

Followers will do whatever their leaders do. If their leaders do not base their plans on God then followers will not base their plans on God. If leaders lie, cheat, and steal from others their followers will also lie, cheat, and steal from others. If good leaders promote good, truthful advisors, the entire company promotes truth. Leaders, model what you want your followers to do.

Mocking poor people insults God.

Solomon has not given poor people a pass. He has discussed how bad decisions and acts that are not according to God's Way lead people to being poor; however, mocking poor people does not honor God. Solomon understands the causes of poverty and the tragedies it causes. This is why gloating over misfortune is taken seriously. The poor may be poor because of their own doing, but gloating over misfortune only brings reproach on your own head.

Unwise children lead to pain for their parents.

Scattered throughout this section and several sections before is the call to listen and obey parents or shame will come upon them. This is written for both sides—parents should make sure to give their children wise advice and children should listen and obey their wise advice. Solomon does not put the onus on one side or the other. They must both share in setting things right.

Both sides are important in a dispute.

One part of our political system that I find annoying is the constant attempt to silence the other side through filibustering the entire debate time or demonizing the other. Both sides are important to any dispute and should be given a chance to both speak and listen. Businesses should listen to governments and non-profits. Governments and non-profits should listen to businesses. Poor people should listen to rich people. Rich people should listen to poor people. Religious people should listen to non-religious people. Non-religious people should listen to religious people. Parents should listen to children. Children should listen to parents. When we begin by marginalizing one side we end up with one-sided justice—which is no justice at all.

Do you take into account both sides?