Bible Pathway - May 23, 2010
Highlights:
The confirmation of God was fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice. The people bow in reverence! The seven-day feast follows with innumerable sacrifices. Then God appears again. Note the qualification for answered prayer (II Chr. 7:14) and the consequences of sin if Israel ignores the Lord's Commandments (7:19-22). Solomon's fame gains the attention of the queen of Sheba (I Kin. 10:1-40).
The fame and wisdom of Solomon attracted the attention of the world. From far away the queen of Sheba came to prove (test) Solomon with hard questions (II Chr. 9:1). There was something beyond herself that her wealth and position could not satisfy. Her restless spirit led her on a long and difficult journey. She was astonished at Solomon's profound discernment and declared: Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, to be a king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made He thee king over them, to do judgment and justice (9:8).
Christ commended the queen for her desire for Truth that led her to come from the uttermost parts of the earth (Matt. 12:42). Her reception by Solomon illustrates the welcome all receive when they come to the KING OF KINGS who gives according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. . . . might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:16-21). Those who receive Christ and His Word are never disappointed. There are wonders of His grace and depths of experience beyond all comprehension to be discovered in the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge (3:19).
To the honest doubter, our appeal is that of Philip to Nathanel: We have found Him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth. . . . Come and see (John 1:45-47). To all who come with a searching heart and read all His Word, 1the Bible, all doubt will be removed. They too will say: Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (John 4:42).
Thought for Today:
We are shielded from deception when we put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:11-17).
Christ Revealed:
Through the glory of Solomon's kingdom (II Chr. 9:1-28). Even though Solomon had a rich and glorious kingdom, it cannot begin to compare to Christ's coming Kingdom. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Rev. 22:1-5).
Word Studies:
7:11 prosperously effected =successfully accomplished all that God had planned for him to do, 7:14 seek My Face =b> know My Word; 8:5 nether =b> lower; 8:16 perfected =b> completed; 9:1 prove =b> test; 9:14 chapmen =b> merchant traders; 9:15 targets =b> large shields; 9:18 stays =b> armrests; 9:24 harness =b> armor; 9:26 the river =b> the Euphrates River.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Dina Titus (NV) • Country: Latvia (2.48 million) eastern coast of Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe • Major languages: Latvian and Russian • Religious freedom • 20% Protestant (mainly Lutheran); 20% Roman Catholic; 15% Orthodox; .9% Jewish; .4% Muslim; 43.7% Atheist/Agnostics/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray in faith, without doubting (James 1:6).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 10
Memory Verse for the Week: John 1:6
