"And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."
As was the sin of Adam and Eve in the beginning, that afflicted all humanity; so now, the sin of Jeroboam now affects all the childre of Israel. We must remember that out of this hosts of people, for it was a nation, there was those that did not agree with Jeoboam, but they did nothing. This is the greater sin. Then there was a hosts of them that did nto agree and picked up and went into the land of Judah. And he shall give Israel up - what does anyone do, when God says He will give them up?; word study, to give; Oh, men forsake and people disappoint, but when compared to a faithful, merciful God there is no hope for such. God's nature is to aid, to help and to rescue, but when sin has broken the bonds and severed the people from their God, they are left to their own deluge. God give them up to their own fate. Now think of this for oursevles, what if God had given us up? Where would we be? Would we not already be destroyed and ravaged by this world? For when God gives them up, SAtan stands ready to do his best work. For as long as God is present, there is protection and delvierance from the devil's onslaught. What shall we say of a family that God has given them up to their sins? How long shall they last? Will there even be another generation? No, it ends and is wiped from the oracles of history, they cease to be. (Weigh the magnitutude of that) - cease to be; And what shall we say of a nation that God gives them up to their ways of sin and evil? Will they not quickly perish from off the eart? Every empire and nation that has not honored the Lord, and even, this, His own children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, did He given them up to their sinful ways of destruction. for the wages of sin is death. Because of the sins of Jerobaom - his continued curse for the two calfs placed in Israel to replace God; His sin was no small sin, it affected a nation of people. It affected history itself. Let no one ever consider their sin, "Well, it isn't hurting anyone else. It is just my sin." Sin reaps the whirlwind of suffering,d estruction and shame. The sins of one man did this, and how much more does our sin affect those around us? Oh, the weight of this that our sins affect others; one person's sins affects everything around their life: health, wealth, children, neighbors, church, nation, everything. Who did sin - It is declared here that sin is present; Too many want to skirt the issue of what is sin. Others do not want to beleive it is wrong, but under the eyes of the Lord it is sin. There is no whitewashing, no color coating, it is sin. Of Jeroboam, 'you sinned against the Lord'; of Israel, 'they sinned against the Lord'; and of us? 'we have sinned against the Lord'; of God's church, 'they have sinned against the Lord'. We are a wicked people in the sight of the Lord. let us cast off this sin, the sin that does so easily beset us and live holy, righteous and faithful unto Him. And let this phrase, 'Who did sin', be turned to 'Who was holy unto the Lord'. And who made israel to sin - word study, made; He made them? He set up the altar, the images and mandated the worship of the calfs as god. He forced the people to sin in this and they like sheep went along to the slaughter of his own devices. How many follow along and never consider the work of one's man sin? The choices that are made that last a lifetime. It is all accounted for and for nothing else but the grace of God are we able to survive. He made them to sin and the people did obey it. The people have a responsiblity also, to speak, to act against such things that are contrary to the known will of God. And if people look for justification to speak against rulers, against nations, then let us see the destruction that is spoken of here and later on recorded that God gives them up for a people that is apathetic and silent. That which is sown will be reaped. We chose what we want to reap; the blessings fo the Lord or the punishment of the Lord?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
I Kings 13:6
"And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. and the mand of God besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before."
The chapter of the 'Old Prophet'. A sermon that me and my father have savored for years of the young prophet and the old prophet. I never would have dreamed how relevant it would become in the current status of the SBC. But for me, it was always a warning of what not to allow, nor of what to become. The young prophet had come out of Judah to denounce the altar, the image and the king of Israel. the king stretched out his hand to issue a command to seize the young man. And when he did, his hand dried up so that he could not draw it into him. The altar was also upended and the ashes poured out. And the king answered and said unto the man of God - answered him for what? the prophet had said nothing to him; Was there more dialogue between the two? One of those unknowable answers until we are home. Entreat now the face of the Lord thy god - when peopel get in trouble and difficulties arise, they want prayer warriors to call out on their behalf; Notice the term, 'Thy God'; not "My God', but 'thy', a pvery revealing thought of personal relationship. Listen to people of how they refer to our God, by the pronoun that they use. But he is being asked to 'entreat the Lord'. You and I are given a great opportunity to entreat Him. Let us be constant at it and not miss the opportunity. Pray for me - it is rare but the doors do open at times, when we are called upon to do such thingss; And even though prayer be the most neglected resource of God's people, we are still beseeched to pray. Let us not forget the weight that is set upon us for prayer. the whole human race is in need of an intercessor. Those that are in sin and lost, need a prayer; those that are hurting, need a prayer; those that need answers, need a prayer; those that are sick and dying, need a prayer; those families that are crumbling, need a prayer; Oh, how many need a prayer. Are you praying? Are you holding up the brothers and sisters in Chrsit? Are you crying out to God for the lost? Are you offer prayer for a nation? Samuel said it and we should echo it: 'God forbid it me, that I should cease praying for you'. And what shall I say to those that read these words, "Pray for me". that my hand may be restored me again - God was going to judge the people over his sins and when he asks for prayer, what is it for? It is for his hand to be restored. Does this not reveal his true selfish interest? He cares not for the things of God, only for his own selfish ends. But let us see at least his faith. He believed that the prophet was able to restore his hand. too many are skeptical and unbelieving of God's own people let alone the lost, and wretched to believe that He is able to do all things, including restoring a hand to physical health. And the man of God besought the Lord - the young prophet in the midst of his task grants this petition of mercy; We msut tell the truth to those around us, they are lost and perishing and sinking into hell. Let us not lose heart to say, "Well, let them sink, they deserve it". For we all deserve it, let us beseech Him for them. They are afflicted and in darkness, 'and such were some of you', let us cry out ot God for them. The greater work of God is always done, when we see this act of mercy demonstrate to those that are being judged by God. God's anger was against Jeroboam and the people, and yet when afflicted and prayed for, God heals and restores. Does this not show how merciful and gracious He is? Let us never doubt that God desires to show Himself merciful to those that don't deserve it. And the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before - who else is able to do such things, but our God; He is able to to restore for He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Look upon His great works and consider His desire toward us and this present world. Is it not to heal and restore our broken relationship? Let us cry out to him to heal us again. We are blighted, marred, crippled, vexed and we deserve it all, yet He is merciful to heal. 'Will You not revive us again, O Lord?" I will entreat Him, pray unto Him for them, beseech the Lord for His mercies which fail not; and wait for Him Who is able to do all things and see if He will not bless and heal us again for His glory.
The chapter of the 'Old Prophet'. A sermon that me and my father have savored for years of the young prophet and the old prophet. I never would have dreamed how relevant it would become in the current status of the SBC. But for me, it was always a warning of what not to allow, nor of what to become. The young prophet had come out of Judah to denounce the altar, the image and the king of Israel. the king stretched out his hand to issue a command to seize the young man. And when he did, his hand dried up so that he could not draw it into him. The altar was also upended and the ashes poured out. And the king answered and said unto the man of God - answered him for what? the prophet had said nothing to him; Was there more dialogue between the two? One of those unknowable answers until we are home. Entreat now the face of the Lord thy god - when peopel get in trouble and difficulties arise, they want prayer warriors to call out on their behalf; Notice the term, 'Thy God'; not "My God', but 'thy', a pvery revealing thought of personal relationship. Listen to people of how they refer to our God, by the pronoun that they use. But he is being asked to 'entreat the Lord'. You and I are given a great opportunity to entreat Him. Let us be constant at it and not miss the opportunity. Pray for me - it is rare but the doors do open at times, when we are called upon to do such thingss; And even though prayer be the most neglected resource of God's people, we are still beseeched to pray. Let us not forget the weight that is set upon us for prayer. the whole human race is in need of an intercessor. Those that are in sin and lost, need a prayer; those that are hurting, need a prayer; those that need answers, need a prayer; those that are sick and dying, need a prayer; those families that are crumbling, need a prayer; Oh, how many need a prayer. Are you praying? Are you holding up the brothers and sisters in Chrsit? Are you crying out to God for the lost? Are you offer prayer for a nation? Samuel said it and we should echo it: 'God forbid it me, that I should cease praying for you'. And what shall I say to those that read these words, "Pray for me". that my hand may be restored me again - God was going to judge the people over his sins and when he asks for prayer, what is it for? It is for his hand to be restored. Does this not reveal his true selfish interest? He cares not for the things of God, only for his own selfish ends. But let us see at least his faith. He believed that the prophet was able to restore his hand. too many are skeptical and unbelieving of God's own people let alone the lost, and wretched to believe that He is able to do all things, including restoring a hand to physical health. And the man of God besought the Lord - the young prophet in the midst of his task grants this petition of mercy; We msut tell the truth to those around us, they are lost and perishing and sinking into hell. Let us not lose heart to say, "Well, let them sink, they deserve it". For we all deserve it, let us beseech Him for them. They are afflicted and in darkness, 'and such were some of you', let us cry out ot God for them. The greater work of God is always done, when we see this act of mercy demonstrate to those that are being judged by God. God's anger was against Jeroboam and the people, and yet when afflicted and prayed for, God heals and restores. Does this not show how merciful and gracious He is? Let us never doubt that God desires to show Himself merciful to those that don't deserve it. And the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before - who else is able to do such things, but our God; He is able to to restore for He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Look upon His great works and consider His desire toward us and this present world. Is it not to heal and restore our broken relationship? Let us cry out to him to heal us again. We are blighted, marred, crippled, vexed and we deserve it all, yet He is merciful to heal. 'Will You not revive us again, O Lord?" I will entreat Him, pray unto Him for them, beseech the Lord for His mercies which fail not; and wait for Him Who is able to do all things and see if He will not bless and heal us again for His glory.
I Kings 12:30
"And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan."
"The Continual Mark of Sin"; jeroboam had become king, given the opportunity to rule and reign like David. But alas!, what did he do, within his first acts as king, he made false idols and utterly led the people away from God. and is this a little thing? No, it is found throughout the rest of the history of the kings of Israel, 'Who sinned against the Lord with the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin.' How would you like that for your ephitah for ever and ever? And this thing became a sin - two calfs set in two cities, dan and Bethel; Idol worship is set quicly before the people, and they rejected going to the house of the Lord in Jerusaleum, because Jeroboam was afraid that the people would turn back to the house of Judah and reject him. Pride and vanity is the source of this sinful fall. The Lord had promised him that he would be established if he served the Lord like David. But this became a sin, a continual sin, generation after generation, leading the people astray. ARe we able to see what has become sin in our own land? Entertainment, materialism, money, time, family, love of self, are the things that have been set up in place of God Almighty. These are the things our time, money and interest are given to. These are the things that have become sin. And as long as we have these false gods ruling and reigning in our lives, we cannot be serving the Lord. We cannot be blest nor walking worhty and holy as the Lord has called us. What of your own personal life? What has become sin to you? What is it that when your mind roams, it lands on? What occupies your time? What takes your money? What is the love of your heart? If it is not the Lord, it has become a sin. Cast it away, destroy before you have the title imparted to Jeroboam for the rest of your existing memory. For the people went to worship before the one - word study, went; There was only one place the people were to worship, the temple of the Lord. They immediately began false worship. Is there not much false worship today? They enter the house of the Lord, yet they know not the God in whom they are worshipping? They know not His voice; they know not His attritubtes; there is no personal relationship between the Lord and them. We have forgotten our God and turned and worshipped wrongly. When we read in REvelation the angelic hosts and how they worship the Lord, does it not burn within us to say, 'Give me a glimpse at how to worship Him in trueness and glorifying unto Him.'? And let us see the whole truth of this, it was not just a few or small group, it says, 'the people'. An entire hosts of the people went after this false god. And yet, we are quick to remember the great sin of Ahab and Jezebel, that where Israel was falsely worshipping this one, Ahab gave them Baal and this one. He multiplied their inquity. Seea and behold the wickedness of the people as they go off Sunday after Sunday to worship the sun god, the water god, the ball god and any thing else besides the One True God. Let us understand that when Jeroboam came to be king he instituted all of this fasle worship in a quick time frame. And so it is that our nation, and people are worshipping something that only recently has been set up in our nation. These things that take us away from the house of the Lord on Sunday have only in the last 30 years been established, it has not always been this way. And let me be quick to remind you again of this truth: David reigned 40 years; Solomon reigned 40 years and Jeroboam and Rehoboam have only begun to reign in our text; How quickly was the fall in this 80 years? They went from ruling the world and God fulfilling all that He promised to them, to be sinful and wicked in this sin of Jeroboam and that which Solomon had allowed in his later years. Guard against any thing that takes us away from the straight and narrow. Pray unceasinly that God would be merciful and restore us to where we should be before Him. Speak the truth to those around that there would be a witness born before the people of what the Lord has said and what is expected. Cast off the works of darkness for we are vessels of light and salt in this present world. But if the salt have lost its savor, wherein shall it profit?
"The Continual Mark of Sin"; jeroboam had become king, given the opportunity to rule and reign like David. But alas!, what did he do, within his first acts as king, he made false idols and utterly led the people away from God. and is this a little thing? No, it is found throughout the rest of the history of the kings of Israel, 'Who sinned against the Lord with the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin.' How would you like that for your ephitah for ever and ever? And this thing became a sin - two calfs set in two cities, dan and Bethel; Idol worship is set quicly before the people, and they rejected going to the house of the Lord in Jerusaleum, because Jeroboam was afraid that the people would turn back to the house of Judah and reject him. Pride and vanity is the source of this sinful fall. The Lord had promised him that he would be established if he served the Lord like David. But this became a sin, a continual sin, generation after generation, leading the people astray. ARe we able to see what has become sin in our own land? Entertainment, materialism, money, time, family, love of self, are the things that have been set up in place of God Almighty. These are the things our time, money and interest are given to. These are the things that have become sin. And as long as we have these false gods ruling and reigning in our lives, we cannot be serving the Lord. We cannot be blest nor walking worhty and holy as the Lord has called us. What of your own personal life? What has become sin to you? What is it that when your mind roams, it lands on? What occupies your time? What takes your money? What is the love of your heart? If it is not the Lord, it has become a sin. Cast it away, destroy before you have the title imparted to Jeroboam for the rest of your existing memory. For the people went to worship before the one - word study, went; There was only one place the people were to worship, the temple of the Lord. They immediately began false worship. Is there not much false worship today? They enter the house of the Lord, yet they know not the God in whom they are worshipping? They know not His voice; they know not His attritubtes; there is no personal relationship between the Lord and them. We have forgotten our God and turned and worshipped wrongly. When we read in REvelation the angelic hosts and how they worship the Lord, does it not burn within us to say, 'Give me a glimpse at how to worship Him in trueness and glorifying unto Him.'? And let us see the whole truth of this, it was not just a few or small group, it says, 'the people'. An entire hosts of the people went after this false god. And yet, we are quick to remember the great sin of Ahab and Jezebel, that where Israel was falsely worshipping this one, Ahab gave them Baal and this one. He multiplied their inquity. Seea and behold the wickedness of the people as they go off Sunday after Sunday to worship the sun god, the water god, the ball god and any thing else besides the One True God. Let us understand that when Jeroboam came to be king he instituted all of this fasle worship in a quick time frame. And so it is that our nation, and people are worshipping something that only recently has been set up in our nation. These things that take us away from the house of the Lord on Sunday have only in the last 30 years been established, it has not always been this way. And let me be quick to remind you again of this truth: David reigned 40 years; Solomon reigned 40 years and Jeroboam and Rehoboam have only begun to reign in our text; How quickly was the fall in this 80 years? They went from ruling the world and God fulfilling all that He promised to them, to be sinful and wicked in this sin of Jeroboam and that which Solomon had allowed in his later years. Guard against any thing that takes us away from the straight and narrow. Pray unceasinly that God would be merciful and restore us to where we should be before Him. Speak the truth to those around that there would be a witness born before the people of what the Lord has said and what is expected. Cast off the works of darkness for we are vessels of light and salt in this present world. But if the salt have lost its savor, wherein shall it profit?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I Kings 11:4
"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."
Only 3 chapters earlier, Solomon was praying before the Lord that the people would be perfect bewfore the Lord in all their ways. Now, we see how quickly one can fall away. For it came to pass - word study, to come; Events of life flow from one to the other. Days move forward and time clicks along. These events lead from one point to the next, until something happens of significance. What came to pass? that solomon's age caught up with him and his actions were not right with the Lord. When Solomon was old - we age, and the years move along; Youth withers away and age teaches us to number our days. Not all learn how to grow old, they just become old. Solomon allowed age to blind him and allow things, that no doubt, he never would have allowed in younger years of life. Let us not be foolish to think that old age will protect us from the devil's attacks. His wives turned away his heart after other gods - how? I allow my mind to much to dwell on this. I wonder how a man that was so blest by God could allow for others to turn hm away from the Lord. What happened? How do you guard against such things? Why do we allow such things? But nevertheless he had over 1000 women pulling at him, and this was not meant to be. Diversions is Satan's masterful tatic. And this must have been a continaul barage of assaults for Solomon to divert his attention to each one of them and give audience to these false gods. And slowly but surely, they swept him away from a whole hearted zeal for God. And then, it was too late. And his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God - Deuteronomy 18:14, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God". there is no room for anything less than what the Lord has decreed and desires. The heart is desperately wicked and prone to evil ways. we must guard it harder than normally, for it was Satan is shooting at. Weaken our hearts and our will will follow suit. Sinking sand is the fact that once he began to fall there was no time, nor strength for hims to recover. What say you of your own self? aRe you sinking? Are you perfect with the Lord? Too many Christians don't even want to discuss this word nor give place to it in our devotion to Christ. Too far away from Him we are and not willing to die completely to self in order to be perfect. And for the rare Chrsitians that have and are perfect with Him, they are a rare gem of delight and greatly pleasing to our beloved Lord and Savior. But to many in the church today have this description of their walk with the Lord, they are not perfect. The Lord does not except such halfheartedness, lukewarmness and unyieldedness. We learn tha tSolomon paid the price for it, and his descendants. Let us not think that we shall escape. We must follow the whole command of the Lord and not pick an dchose what we would do. As was the heart of David his father - comparison of father and son; And who are we in comparison with? Does our children follow after us? Does our walk influence others? the father was perfect with the Lord and the son was to follow suit. But far too often, there is one perfect and the next is ungodly. One walks rightly and the other is out of step. There is no consistencey in this matter. There are too many comparison of the church oracles that I would love to make on this. But let it suffice to pray for the children that they walk worthy of the calling laid upon them.
Only 3 chapters earlier, Solomon was praying before the Lord that the people would be perfect bewfore the Lord in all their ways. Now, we see how quickly one can fall away. For it came to pass - word study, to come; Events of life flow from one to the other. Days move forward and time clicks along. These events lead from one point to the next, until something happens of significance. What came to pass? that solomon's age caught up with him and his actions were not right with the Lord. When Solomon was old - we age, and the years move along; Youth withers away and age teaches us to number our days. Not all learn how to grow old, they just become old. Solomon allowed age to blind him and allow things, that no doubt, he never would have allowed in younger years of life. Let us not be foolish to think that old age will protect us from the devil's attacks. His wives turned away his heart after other gods - how? I allow my mind to much to dwell on this. I wonder how a man that was so blest by God could allow for others to turn hm away from the Lord. What happened? How do you guard against such things? Why do we allow such things? But nevertheless he had over 1000 women pulling at him, and this was not meant to be. Diversions is Satan's masterful tatic. And this must have been a continaul barage of assaults for Solomon to divert his attention to each one of them and give audience to these false gods. And slowly but surely, they swept him away from a whole hearted zeal for God. And then, it was too late. And his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God - Deuteronomy 18:14, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God". there is no room for anything less than what the Lord has decreed and desires. The heart is desperately wicked and prone to evil ways. we must guard it harder than normally, for it was Satan is shooting at. Weaken our hearts and our will will follow suit. Sinking sand is the fact that once he began to fall there was no time, nor strength for hims to recover. What say you of your own self? aRe you sinking? Are you perfect with the Lord? Too many Christians don't even want to discuss this word nor give place to it in our devotion to Christ. Too far away from Him we are and not willing to die completely to self in order to be perfect. And for the rare Chrsitians that have and are perfect with Him, they are a rare gem of delight and greatly pleasing to our beloved Lord and Savior. But to many in the church today have this description of their walk with the Lord, they are not perfect. The Lord does not except such halfheartedness, lukewarmness and unyieldedness. We learn tha tSolomon paid the price for it, and his descendants. Let us not think that we shall escape. We must follow the whole command of the Lord and not pick an dchose what we would do. As was the heart of David his father - comparison of father and son; And who are we in comparison with? Does our children follow after us? Does our walk influence others? the father was perfect with the Lord and the son was to follow suit. But far too often, there is one perfect and the next is ungodly. One walks rightly and the other is out of step. There is no consistencey in this matter. There are too many comparison of the church oracles that I would love to make on this. But let it suffice to pray for the children that they walk worthy of the calling laid upon them.
I Kings 10:7
"Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard."
The queen of Sheba had come to seek for Solomon's wisdom. Two things will drive people to search: 1. curiosity, "Can it really be so?" and 2. Desire to seek truth. She had heard of all of Solomon's wisdom and was intrigued and moved so much to go out and find him and ask all that was on her heart to prove him. Howbeit I believed not the words - she had been told, but did not accept them; this is unbelief at its worst. For here is Solomon, full of wisdom, and yet thsoe that could drain him of it, will not believe. Thewords were not good enough to accept, she must go and see and hear for herself. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things nott seen. For what is seen is not faith. Yet, we must credit her with once she heard of his wisdom, even though, she beleived not, it caused her to rise up and go and seek for him. We give to the world the words of eternal life, forgiveness of sins and hope. Many have this testimony, 'they beleive not'; yet, we know not if it will compell some soul to rise up and seek for the truth of it and find it. When we read and hear of the glory of God and His bountiful blessings of that which is and that which shall be, let us cast off any unbelief and hold fast to the truth of it. It is His Word and promises and He cannot lie, therefore, it is truth. Until I came - word study, to come;
The queen of Sheba had come to seek for Solomon's wisdom. Two things will drive people to search: 1. curiosity, "Can it really be so?" and 2. Desire to seek truth. She had heard of all of Solomon's wisdom and was intrigued and moved so much to go out and find him and ask all that was on her heart to prove him. Howbeit I believed not the words - she had been told, but did not accept them; this is unbelief at its worst. For here is Solomon, full of wisdom, and yet thsoe that could drain him of it, will not believe. Thewords were not good enough to accept, she must go and see and hear for herself. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things nott seen. For what is seen is not faith. Yet, we must credit her with once she heard of his wisdom, even though, she beleived not, it caused her to rise up and go and seek for him. We give to the world the words of eternal life, forgiveness of sins and hope. Many have this testimony, 'they beleive not'; yet, we know not if it will compell some soul to rise up and seek for the truth of it and find it. When we read and hear of the glory of God and His bountiful blessings of that which is and that which shall be, let us cast off any unbelief and hold fast to the truth of it. It is His Word and promises and He cannot lie, therefore, it is truth. Until I came - word study, to come;
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I Kings 9:13
"And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day."
With all of Solomon's wisdom, he did not do so well here. Hiram had helped greatly in all that Solomon had undertaken. And to repay, an ally, a friend, was not a very good witness. When Hiram saw the land and the cities, he was displeased at them. Knowing that much timber, land and men had put forth effort to do his bidding. What cities are these which thou hast given me - great questions of the Bible; word study, to give; What is this that he has done? Were they not big enough? Why were they not pleasing to him? And what shall we say for what has been given to us? Is it enought for you? Has the Lord blest you enough or do you seek more? No doubt, He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or thing, but are we content in whatever state we are to be happy and joyful in the Lord. Is He not able to give us cities for Hsi glory? Oh, what would that be to see the hand of God move in revival and one by one the cities be given unto us to teach, declare and lift up His great Name. Will He give us cities? Areyou praying for yours? aRe you seeking for it to be won unto Him? All things are His, then pray for the cities to be given. my brother - there was a relationship here; It goes far beyond what we consider of political allies. They had a relationship that apparently Solomon was taking advantage of. Am I my brothers keeper? Is he my brother? Who is my brother? Jesus said that those that do His work are His family. Look upon our brothers and sisters in Christ and know that He has given us one unto another for His kingdoms work. Pray, for the brethern. And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day - he named a name out of his displeasure; Much discussion and uncertainty on the name of Cabul. some ventrure it to relate to a land already named, found in Joshua. Others relate it to mean, a bounday or border. But Josephus named it 'Displease' or "Dirty', which fits the context a whole lot better. In verse 12 we note Hiram's displeasure at them; and then he calls it a name after questioning Solomon on the cities. You normally name something aftyer your emotion toward it. A name carries with it a descirption of thought, meaning and attitude toward it. Cabul meaning displease or dirty relates that emotion toward the land. And when so named it carries on, 'unto this day'.
With all of Solomon's wisdom, he did not do so well here. Hiram had helped greatly in all that Solomon had undertaken. And to repay, an ally, a friend, was not a very good witness. When Hiram saw the land and the cities, he was displeased at them. Knowing that much timber, land and men had put forth effort to do his bidding. What cities are these which thou hast given me - great questions of the Bible; word study, to give; What is this that he has done? Were they not big enough? Why were they not pleasing to him? And what shall we say for what has been given to us? Is it enought for you? Has the Lord blest you enough or do you seek more? No doubt, He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or thing, but are we content in whatever state we are to be happy and joyful in the Lord. Is He not able to give us cities for Hsi glory? Oh, what would that be to see the hand of God move in revival and one by one the cities be given unto us to teach, declare and lift up His great Name. Will He give us cities? Areyou praying for yours? aRe you seeking for it to be won unto Him? All things are His, then pray for the cities to be given. my brother - there was a relationship here; It goes far beyond what we consider of political allies. They had a relationship that apparently Solomon was taking advantage of. Am I my brothers keeper? Is he my brother? Who is my brother? Jesus said that those that do His work are His family. Look upon our brothers and sisters in Christ and know that He has given us one unto another for His kingdoms work. Pray, for the brethern. And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day - he named a name out of his displeasure; Much discussion and uncertainty on the name of Cabul. some ventrure it to relate to a land already named, found in Joshua. Others relate it to mean, a bounday or border. But Josephus named it 'Displease' or "Dirty', which fits the context a whole lot better. In verse 12 we note Hiram's displeasure at them; and then he calls it a name after questioning Solomon on the cities. You normally name something aftyer your emotion toward it. A name carries with it a descirption of thought, meaning and attitude toward it. Cabul meaning displease or dirty relates that emotion toward the land. And when so named it carries on, 'unto this day'.
I Kings 8:10, 11
"And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the lord had filled the house of the Lord."
WE will take two verses this time, seeing that this is all one sentence anyway. Only a comma separates at the end of verse 10. And it is a most glorious sight of God manifesting His Presence before His people. How rare the times of God coming in this manner. The study of the glory of th Lord is marvellous to behold. And it should it be the desire of God's people crying out for His glory to manifest Himself again to us. And it came to pass - word study, to come; Such an unique phrase found rarely through the Scripture; it brings us to a place in time. A moment, that others things have led to this one moment. That after all the other things have completed now they are set in motion for the will of God to be completed. After such and such events in life, 'this will come to pass'. It is the continual motion of life's events. And let us ask the question even now of our own life, What has come to pass in your life? When the priests were come out of the holy place - word study, to come, used twice in this one verse; The priests had finished carrying the ark into the holy of holies. And upon their leaving of the place, 'it came to pass'. God was now ready to take ownership of this place. When a person becomes a saved Christian, they recognize their sin, they cry out for a SAvior to save them from their sins, they confess their sins, they repent with a yielded spirit of consecration and then, 'it will come to pass' that He enters in. That the cloud filled the house of the Lord - the Presence of God was descending and filling every corner; Oh, how vast the difference between, simply entering in and filling the whole. He filled the house, for it was His'. It is the same reference used throughout Scripture that when God descended the cloud was covering. For no man shall see the Lord and live. The cloud descended on Mount sinai; the cloud descended on the mount of trasfiguration. It is His manifested Presence. It should be our desrie to seek for such an entire filling of our temples. 'Know you not that your bodies are the temple of God'. then let Him fill and have all of us. Nothing left untouched by His great hand of mercy, power and holiness. so that the priest coudl not stand to minister because of the cloud - it was a time to cease religious activity and busyness and be still; when God comes in such times and manners, God's people are to adore and worship. You cannot continue on with our orthodoxy and relious activity fo motion. Let the work cease and lie low in His Presence. The accounts of the Hebrides revival was that when God descended, (although, not in a cloud), the people ceases from all work to gather in unity before Him. Many laid low, foudn confessing and crying out for mercy. Oh, to see the days againt where the work ceases and God is glorified. And let us be honest, at such times God does more in those days than all the decades that proceeded it with the church's activity. The holiness of the cloud, which contained God's Divine Presence drove the men from the place. He owned and occupied now, it was holy. For wherever the Lord is, holiness is present. and if it be not holy, then it is Ichabod. What say you of your church? Which is it? What say you of your home? What about your vessel, your life? Whose is it and what are you doing for Him? The glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord - the house was built to draw people into a right relationship to Him, He must fill it; It is no different with us, the glory of the Lord must fill us and have all of us. Enter into the church, He must fill it and own it, it msut be His'. This is the most neglected and sought after aspect in the Scripture, 'the glory of the Lord'. But it should be our very most desried end. We msut pray for this, seek it, desire it and give ourselves for it, until it comes to pass.
WE will take two verses this time, seeing that this is all one sentence anyway. Only a comma separates at the end of verse 10. And it is a most glorious sight of God manifesting His Presence before His people. How rare the times of God coming in this manner. The study of the glory of th Lord is marvellous to behold. And it should it be the desire of God's people crying out for His glory to manifest Himself again to us. And it came to pass - word study, to come; Such an unique phrase found rarely through the Scripture; it brings us to a place in time. A moment, that others things have led to this one moment. That after all the other things have completed now they are set in motion for the will of God to be completed. After such and such events in life, 'this will come to pass'. It is the continual motion of life's events. And let us ask the question even now of our own life, What has come to pass in your life? When the priests were come out of the holy place - word study, to come, used twice in this one verse; The priests had finished carrying the ark into the holy of holies. And upon their leaving of the place, 'it came to pass'. God was now ready to take ownership of this place. When a person becomes a saved Christian, they recognize their sin, they cry out for a SAvior to save them from their sins, they confess their sins, they repent with a yielded spirit of consecration and then, 'it will come to pass' that He enters in. That the cloud filled the house of the Lord - the Presence of God was descending and filling every corner; Oh, how vast the difference between, simply entering in and filling the whole. He filled the house, for it was His'. It is the same reference used throughout Scripture that when God descended the cloud was covering. For no man shall see the Lord and live. The cloud descended on Mount sinai; the cloud descended on the mount of trasfiguration. It is His manifested Presence. It should be our desrie to seek for such an entire filling of our temples. 'Know you not that your bodies are the temple of God'. then let Him fill and have all of us. Nothing left untouched by His great hand of mercy, power and holiness. so that the priest coudl not stand to minister because of the cloud - it was a time to cease religious activity and busyness and be still; when God comes in such times and manners, God's people are to adore and worship. You cannot continue on with our orthodoxy and relious activity fo motion. Let the work cease and lie low in His Presence. The accounts of the Hebrides revival was that when God descended, (although, not in a cloud), the people ceases from all work to gather in unity before Him. Many laid low, foudn confessing and crying out for mercy. Oh, to see the days againt where the work ceases and God is glorified. And let us be honest, at such times God does more in those days than all the decades that proceeded it with the church's activity. The holiness of the cloud, which contained God's Divine Presence drove the men from the place. He owned and occupied now, it was holy. For wherever the Lord is, holiness is present. and if it be not holy, then it is Ichabod. What say you of your church? Which is it? What say you of your home? What about your vessel, your life? Whose is it and what are you doing for Him? The glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord - the house was built to draw people into a right relationship to Him, He must fill it; It is no different with us, the glory of the Lord must fill us and have all of us. Enter into the church, He must fill it and own it, it msut be His'. This is the most neglected and sought after aspect in the Scripture, 'the glory of the Lord'. But it should be our very most desried end. We msut pray for this, seek it, desire it and give ourselves for it, until it comes to pass.
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