Bible Pathway - May 22, 2010
Highlights:
Chapter 4 describes the Altar and golden furnishings. Then the House of the Lord is finished. Picture the scene when the Ark was brought into the Temple; cloud of the Lord's presence fills the Temple; Solomon's prayer of dedication.
Much time and effort were given in preparation for the dedication of the Temple which took about 7-1/2 years to build (I Kin. 6:37-38). The Ark was placed within the Holy of Holies. Perhaps no event has ever equaled this momentous occasion. The king led the way to the Temple's great court (II Chr. 4:9). As they went, they sang: Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into Thy resting place, Thou, and the Ark of Thy strength . . . let Thy saints rejoice in goodness (6:41).
This awe-inspiring Ark contained the original Commandments from Moses. These were to be a constant reminder of the Covenant of God with Israel to make of them a holy nation.
In the first four of the Ten Commandments we have commands regarding man's relationship to God. All ten were summarized by our Lord in two: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself (Luke 10:27).
After Adam and Eve sinned, all mankind was born with a sinful human nature. But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born (again), not of blood (physical birth), nor of the will of the flesh (efforts to be good enough), nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). As Jesus said to Nicodemus (a very good religious leader): Except a man be born again, he cannot . . . enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (3:3,5-6).
When a person is born of God he is indwelt with the Spirit of God. As we meditate daily upon His Word (II Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17), the Lord impart the strength and understanding to do His will. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20). Jesus promised: The Holy Ghost (Spirit) . . . shall teach you all things (John 14:26). We have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16).
Thought for Today:
For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the rightousness of the Law (requirements of the law) might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:3-4).
Christ Revealed:
Through Solomon's prayer to God (II Chr. 6:14). Jesus is God: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; 17:22; 1:1; I John 5:7-8).
Word Studies:
4:2: molten sea =b> large metal, round basin; 4:22 censers =b> incense burners; 6:10 room =b> throne of Israel; 6:24 be put to the worse =b> are defeated; 6:28 dearth =b> famine; blasting =b> blight; sore =b> plague; 6:40 attent =b> attentive.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bruce Rutherford's birthday • Government Officials: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Rep. John Sarbanes (MD) • Country: Laos (5 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Lao and French • Great suppression of all Christian activities • 58% Buddhist; 33% belief in spirits and ancestor worship; 2% Christian; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Pray with unwavering faith so that your prayers may be answered (James 1:5-7).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 9
Memory Verse for the Week: John 1:5
