Week 8: GOD THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE
July 14-20
This week’s memory verses:
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
This week’s Scripture Readings:
2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 – David and Bathsheba
1 Kings 8:1-9:9 – King Solomon
1 Kings 8:1-9:9 – Solomon’s Temple
1 Kings 16:29:-19:18 – Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
2 Kings 25:1-30 – The Fall of Jerusalem
Day 1
David and Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11-12
This is both a deplorable chapter and a further explanation of the narrative that began in chapter 10. We saw the mighty men of Israel fighting the Syrian soldiers and the Ammonites. While the mighty men survived these encounters, it was not until they were led by King David that they were given a decisive victory. When winter came, the two sides of the war stopped fighting (because the weather made it impossible) until the spring (when war was to resume again). When it was time for Israel to head back out to battle, King David stayed behind in Jerusalem. David should have been with his men, leading them into battle, and securing great victories. Instead, we find the king pacing along the roof top at night. On the roof top, David sees a woman bathing on another roof top. His eyes linger and in his heart he has impure thoughts. If that is not enough, David puts those thoughts into action by inquiring who the woman was and sleeping with her even though he knew she had a husband. Of course, Bathsheba is not excused for her role nor is she to be blamed completely. David had, long ago, been satisfying his desires with women instead of trying to remain pure (remember, he had several wives at this point). David’s heart had long been fostering this desire and when temptation confronted him, he pursued it. Sin often has more to do with the condition of one’s heart before and after temptation than it does with the qualities of the tempting object. David then finds out the woman is pregnant (this won’t be the last “consequence” of his sin). So, of course, he sets out to hide his sin (which is the biggest deception of all time – you cannot hide your sin from God and rarely do you hide it from yourself). He eventually had Bathsheba’s husband killed and David adds her to his collection of wives. How greatly has this “man after God’s own heart” failed?! Psalm 32, written during this time, shows how greatly convicted David was. Yet, despite his sin, there was enough of God in David to draw him back to repentance and restoration. It is silly to think that because we are Christians that we will not sin or struggle. Yet, it is also silly to think that God just “gets over” or “forgets” our sin. Jesus is the balance here. Jesus can be the one to draw us back to the Father if we have strayed. He is also the one who pays the debt that we owed for our sin. We aren’t any better than David, and we certainly need the Lord as much (if not more).
Chapter 12 begins with the prophet Nathan confronting David, but David doesn’t know it at first. Nathan tells David a parable, a story. Nathan tells of a rich man who stole the sheep of another man, even though the rich man had plenty of his own. Nathan doesn’t ask David for a judicial ruling and he never tells him the story is true. This theft and ingratitude angered David though. David issued a punishment of death and a fine of four times the value of the sheep. Might it be that David is so angry and so judgmental because, deep down, this man reminds him of himself? If there were any doubts about who this man represented, they were put to rest when Nathan tells David that he “is the man.” David stole what was not his when he lay with Bathsheba. David showed ingratitude when he threw all that God had given him away in exchange for sin. For that sin, David’s house would always know conflict and David’s wives would be publicly stolen away in the same way he stole Bathsheba. These are the consequences for David’s sins. David is, of course, convicted. He realizes that he has sinned against the Lord and he confesses that. It isn’t a fancy or wordy confession (he will do that in Psalm 51), but it is heartfelt. It is this confession that sets him apart from others. In the past, with Saul and others, sin was met with a heart that became harder and a will more resolved to be selfish. Here, David is broken. It gets worse when the consequences of his sin become more and more apparent. However, Nathan tells David that he will not be put to death or cut off for his sin (even though that is the Mosaic punishment for adultery). Forgiveness and mercy are extended to David because he is repentant, accepts responsibility for his actions/sin, and accepts the consequences of God. We see he is forgiven and the end of the chapter shows him back on the battlefield where God wanted him all along. This sequence has much to teach us about the character of God, sin, and forgiveness. We all sin. We all owe a life, or rather a death, as the price for our sin. Yet, Jesus paid it in our place. Forgiveness was extended to us through Jesus. However, that does not mean we continue to sin with no consequence or any thought of repentance. We should be convicted of our sins, acknowledge that there will be consequences, and pray that God will redeem our circumstances. Once we turn from our sin and deal with the consequences, once restoration begins, we need to know it is forgiven. We need to trust that God loves us enough to forget the past and we should too. We need to move forward and grow from the past, not dwell on it. We need to get back to where he wanted us to be.
Day 2
King Solomon – 1 Kings 2-3
After David’s oldest son Adonijah makes a play for the throne, David is reminded by Nathan and Bathsheba to honor his promise to pass the throne to Solomon. David does this, gives instructions for Solomon to live by, and commands his son to “clean house” (so to speak). With that, David dies. There is no mention of his failures. Those have been settled with God. Instead, there is nothing but the legacy of a king and a man who was after God’s own heart. As we see, Solomon takes David’s advice and deals with Adonijah (he actually wanted to marry the concubine that acted as David’s “medical treatment” as a way of making a claim to the throne – thus the reason Solomon finally executed him), the high priest, Joab, and Shimei. Through all of this, we see God fulfilling his promise to David. His throne would go on with his son. His throne would go on eternally. Solomon is the short-term fulfillment of this promise. Yet, we know that Jesus is the perfect fulfillment. Jesus is in the line of David. Jesus is the king who will rule forever. Jesus is wiser than Solomon. He is more perfectly just than Solomon. He is more perfectly merciful than Solomon. Jesus is the perfect King and Messiah. Jesus is the king that is needed.
In chapter 3, we see that Solomon is given great wisdom by God. Initially, this passage begins with a description of Solomon’s marriage to an Egyptian princess. It then describes how Solomon often sacrificed to God and his heart truly loves the Lord. This is all interesting, right? The importance here is that Solomon has a bit of a habit. This will not be his last marriage and it won’t be his last marriage to a foreign woman. None of Solomon’s wives were believers in the one, true God. Again, this will cause a problem for Solomon in the future. For now, we see that Solomon loved his wife and the Lord. With his heart turned to God, Solomon is given a dream. The Lord appears and ask Solomon what he wants. Solomon may request anything and God will give it to him. Solomon responds by thanking God for the past faithfulness to his father, David, and, now to him. Solomon acknowledges his need for God now that he has been made king. Solomon asks for understanding, discernment, and wisdom. God praises Solomon’s choice. God is happy that Solomon did not ask for money, fame, or health (I guess he gets that a lot). Since Solomon’s choice is wise, and his heart is submitted, God also gives Solomon those other things. To end the chapter, we see that Solomon exercises his wisdom and discernment in resolving the dispute of which woman was the mother of the child. Solomon makes a good judgement and the land of Israel is amazed at Solomon’s understanding. We may see this interaction between Solomon and God and think it is a little unfair. How come God asks Solomon to tell him whatever he wants, but never comes to us to ask that? Well, maybe he does not ask because he has already given us everything we have ever needed in the person of Jesus Christ and in the power of his Holy Spirit. In Jesus, we have atonement for sin, acceptance into the family of God, and the hope of a future. In the Holy Spirit, we have power and guidance to seek the Lord and to love him/ serve him more. We do not need to be asked what we want. We just need take hold of the gifts and benefits of a relationship with God that he has already made possible.
Day 3
Solomon’s Temple – 1 Kings 8-9
Here, we have both the dedication of the temple and the bringing of the ark of the covenant into the temple. After all these years, the ark will no longer dwell in a tent but in the temple (a solid place of security). While it was David’s vision that started the building process, it was Solomon who completed the task. Once the temple was complete, Solomon takes great care that all the precautions necessary to move the ark to the temple are taken. God’s holiness, blessing, and favor immediately begin shining in the temple (much like the cloud at the Tabernacle in Exodus 33). Solomon begins to pray and also recognizes the character of God. Solomon reminds the people that God was the maker and keeper of promises. Solomon asked that God would dwell in that place and bless any who truly sought him. In all the circumstances of life, whether defeat, plague, or famine, Solomon ask that God be with his people. Solomon then blesses the people and a great feast is held. It is wonderful to see a leader pointing his people to their only hope – God. It is wonderful to see this king act as a mediator of sorts between the people and God ( much like King Jesus will). However, what we will soon find out is that Solomon goes astray. If this king, with all his achievements and wisdom, can go astray – what hope do we have? Anyone, at anytime, can take their eyes off the master. Yet, for those who belong to him, there is hope. Believers have the sacrifice of Jesus as payment for sins. Believers have the Holy Spirit empowering them to follow Jesus in obedience and faith. We do not need to fear breaking the law like they did in Solomon’s day, but we should feel burdened when we break the Father’s heart by turning back to the old way of life.
In chapter 9, we have God’s response to Solomon’s prayer from chapter 8. Solomon asked God to be with his people, to hear their pleas, and to dwell among them. God responds to Solomon’s request positively. God tells Solomon that if he will pursue God in faithfulness and obedience then he will bless the nation greatly. God tells Solomon that if he walks as his father David did, in integrity of heart and uprightness, that he would be blessed. We know from David’s life he was not perfect. Yet, he truly followed God with his heart and, when need be, sought repentance with his whole heart. This was not impossible for Solomon to do. However, God makes it clear that if Solomon, or the people, forget God and turn away from him then he will curse them/ correct them. Essentially, if Israel is faithful then God will bless them so greatly that the rest of the world would see God’s goodness. If the Israelites disobeyed, God would chastise them so greatly that the rest of the world would be amazed at God’s work among a disobedient people. Either way, God’s glory would be shown to the nations. The chapter closes with a list of a few things Solomon has done in his time as king. While we may not fully understand them or why they are listed after God’s response, it is most likely that these are small compromises. Solomon has already begun to compromise (and as we know, compromise can be a slippery slope). Thank God our blessings are not based on our faithfulness and obedience, but, instead, are based on the faithfulness and obedience of Christ. Christ has secured the blessings of God with his perfect obedience. Christ has also taken the chastisement and curse that should have been ours, due to disobedience. If we put our life in the nail-scarred hands of this savior, we can rest assured that the blessings of God are ours to enjoy. We need not fear condemnation, but enjoy our relationship with a sovereign and saving God.
Day 4
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal – 1 Kings 16-19
Here, we have the description of more kings (I guess we know where the title of the book came from!), all of which rule in Israel. Asa, the ruler of Judah in the south, was the only king discussed last time that pursued the ways of the Lord. Thus, Asa’s reign lasted 41 years. In that 41 year span, as this chapter shows, there were 7 kings that came and went for the 10 tribes of the north. These kings had short rules (as short as 7 days in the case of Zimri). These kings plotted, deceived, and killed to gain control. These kings all followed in the ways of Jeroboam. Yet, it is the last king that is mentioned, Ahab, who is described in the greatest amount of detail. Why? It is said he was worse than those that came before him, even Jeroboam. Jeroboam’s sin was to say, “I’ll worship when and where I want.” Ahab’s great sin, influenced heavily by his wife Jezebel, is to say, “I want to forget about the Lord completely and worship Baal instead.” These kings, especially Ahab, are all failures. Yet, as bad as they are, God is using their disobedience to show his greatness. God is about to show his holiness and greatness by the raising up of several prophets (that will point the people to God). In the same way, God used the disobedience and wickedness of this world to show his greatness. When the world crucified the messiah, all seemed loss. Yet, it was that act of wickedness, and the raising up of the Son that followed, that showed the true power of God. You can call it a “redemptive reversal.”
It appears there is a new sheriff in town. The prophet Elijah suddenly appears on the scene. Elijah would be a spiritual leader who in name (literally “The Lord is my God”) and action helped the people of Israel during these dark days of Baal worship. Elijah let’s Ahab know that the true God was in control and that it will not rain until he says so. This was a bold declaration, as Baal was thought to be the god of the skies and weather. In the meantime, God promises to provide for Elijah needs during the drought and famine that follow. First, he provides Elijah with food and water from a raven and a brook. Then, he provides for Elijah by using a poor widow in a Gentile land. Each of these moves, and means of providing for Elijah, are teaching him, growing him, and helping him to rely on the God of the provisions. We also see the power that God has given Elijah, and the way he works through Elijah, when he pleads to God on behalf of the widow’s son who died. God responds and raises the son, ensuring the widow was taken care of in the future. The widow then realizes that Elijah truly is a man of God, one who will speak truth into the dark days of Israel. We see here a movement from the physical sustenance, the things that are seen as common like regular rain, to a supernatural sustenance where God is supplying needs physically and spiritually. God is trying to show these people that he is the source. He is what they need. The way the Lord supplies, the fact that he is the source, is such a sure thing that both Elijah and the widow risk their lives in obedience. Are we trusting in God’s ability to physically and spiritually supply our needs? Do we see him as the source? Surely, if he is able to save us from our sins by sending his son, then he can supply our every need. We just need to trust and obey.
In this chapter we find Elijah presenting himself to the wicked ruler Ahab. Upon seeing Elijah, Ahab is angered. Ahab thinks that Elijah is the trouble-maker in Israel. How could he, the wicked king, possibly think that? First, the drought, and accompanying famine, has lasted for 3 and 1/2 years at this point. He probably thinks that the god he worships, Baal, is angry at Elijah for what he has done and the drought will not be lifted until Elijah is killed. However, we as the reader know that isn’t true. We also see Elijah command Ahab to gather “all of Israel” together for him. Oddly, Ahab listens (probably thinking the people would turn against Elijah because of the drought). Instead, Elijah takes the opportunity to question the people: How long will you go back and forth, or show favor, between Baal and the Lord? Elijah is essentially saying, “Choose Israel!” Elijah, instructed by the Lord, calls for a challenge. The prophets of Baal versus the prophet of the Lord. They will both offer a sacrifice and whichever God answers with fire from heaven will be shown to be the true god. Of course, the prophets of Baal call out and cut themselves, all while Elijah mocks their fake god. Then Elijah takes his sacrifice, rebuilds the altar of God, drenches the entire thing in water, and calls on the Lord. The Lord consumes the sacrifice and the people fall on their faces. Elijah then goes on to intercede for the people, asking God for rain to end the drought. So, what do we take away from this? Much like the last chapter, we must realize who is the actual source of all things and who actually has the power to work in our lives (it’s the Lord of course!). We, like the prophets of Baal, put our trust, time, effort, and even pieces of ourselves into so many different things. We believe those things have power to, or will, make us happy. Things like money, success, pleasure, material goods, and the like are all worshipped. Yet, none of those things can do for us what God can do. Maybe, like Elijah, we need to pray for a rain (a renewal) to end the drought in our lives. The only thing that can satisfy that desire is God, not those other things.
How quickly things change?! We just saw Elijah win some pretty big victories in some pretty huge moments (showing the prophets of Baal to be false, praying for rain, etc.). Now, he is fleeing to the wilderness because of the threat from the queen, Jezebel. It seems he is depressed out on his own. He lays down underneath a tree and prays to die. Yet, we see that the Lord is not done with him. The Angel of the Lord appears to him, gives him food, and instructs him to rest. Once he has rested and had his physical needs met, God instructs him to travel to Mount Sinai. Once there, Elijah finds a cave. It is at this time that God allows Elijah to vent his frustrations. Essentially, Elijah wants to know why things are going so poorly, when he has been so faithful. Elijah thinks he is the last faithful prophet left in the land. God then gives a demonstration of his power and presence. A great wind, an earthquake, and a fire all appear but God is not in any of them. Then a small whisper can be heard. Elijah realizes that God does not always manifest himself in dramatic and earth shattering ways. Sometimes, it is in a mundane moment with a small whisper that he appears. God then goes on to give Elijah his next task, raises up a friend and successor for him in Elisha, and tells him that there are actually 7,000 faithful people left in the land. Elijah is assured and comforted. He sets out on the tasks God have him. What does this mean for you and I? First, we must realize that there are times where we need rest and renewal. There are times in life where we want to give up. Why do we want to give up? Usually, it is because we do not see how everything will work out. Just like Elijah, we have to realize that God is still with us and is still working out his plan. We may not know how (whether God is doing something dramatic and earth-shattering or if he is slowly and methodically working) or what (Elijah thought he was the only one, he was not alone at all), but we can trust that he knows the bigger picture. He has all the pieces to the puzzle and can see the finished picture. That should comfort and strengthen us to continue on.
Day 5
The Fall of Jerusalem – 2 Kings 25
This chapter (which closes out 2 Kings) describes the rise of Nebuchadnezzar, and the Babylonian empire, to world dominance. This chapter also describe the kings of Judah who tried to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar and the outcomes that came from their choices. Why did this happen? This is the judgement that was promised against Manasseh. This is the “wiping out” that was to take place because of Judah’s disobedience and idolatry. Jehoiakim, his son Jehoiachin, and Jehoaikim’s brother Mattaniah (Zedikiah) were all, at times, in allegiance to the Babylonians until they saw opportunities to rebel against them. The Babylonians responded to the rebellion by laying siege to Jerusalem, destroying the temple and many of the things inside it, and carrying off any skilled person (smiths, craftsman, political leaders, soldiers, etc.) to Babylon. This destruction took place at multiple points in about a 15-20 year period. Yet, all that was left in Judah after these events was a burned, broken place with only the poorest and lowliest left behind. Many of the kings of Judah were carried off as prisoners to Babylon (this would be when Daniel and others were exiled). Those that remained in Jerusalem were treated well by Gedeliah, the acting Babylonian governor, until he was assassinated. Then the remaining remnant fled to Egypt. Thus, the land of promise that had been taken by obedience and faith 860 years before this was now lost because of idolatry and sin. Wait…if the land has been taken away, and the kings from the line of David are either captured or dead, how will God continue to keep his promise and continue his redeeming work? There is but a hint of grace at the close of chapter 25. We find the Babylonians, under a new king, show favor to Jehoiachin (the last legitimate king in the mind of the Babylonians) by releasing him from prison and allowing him to eat with the king. This seems inconsequential. However, it shows that even in these dark, distressing times, God is working to bless and restore his people; to keep his promises. It had been 36 years in captivity (and it would be a total of 70). This would have been a great comfort to those exiles to see a former king treated well. In a dark time, a bit of light shown through. This restoration is but a shadow of the restoration to come. There would be another time, about 500 years after these events, when a despised and rejected King’s body would lay bloody, on a wooden cross, on a dark hill. Yet, even in that dark moment, light was still shining through, hope still existed for the world – as evidenced by the empty tomb three days later.