The reading anchored on chapter 8 after the completion of the temple, with Solomon bringing in the ark into the temple and the dedication of the temple.
The story began with 1King 7:51 Thus all the work that King Solomon did on the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and stored them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.
The physical temple was completed, but has no "God". Solomon brought in the ark and subsequently, the glory of God filled the temple. The main part of chapter 8, was on Solomon prayer and the dedication to the temple. The story did not stop there after the prayers. Chapter 9:1-9 God completed the whole picture with His visitation to Solomon.
Therefore, from a lifeless temple to one that filled with His glory, with God dwelling side by side with His people. From a prayer, to one that ended with God's personal visitation. All these points to the realness of God and His desire for us to be with Him.
Chapter 8 Outline
The dedication of the temple. (Verse 1-11.)
The occasion. (Verse 12-21.)
Solomon's prayer. (Verse 22-53.)
His blessing and exhortation. (Verse 54-61.)
Solomon's peace-offerings. (Verse 62-66.)
Commentary about the Chapter
http://bible.somd.com/henry/H11C008.shtml
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2007/20070922.htm
http://www.swedenborgdigitallibrary.org/sower/jj12/1king52.htm
My Study (Bring in God)
1. Bring God into your Temple (life)
2. Bring God into your everyday Activities
3. Bring to God your Service
1. Solomon built the temple. It was just a beautiful temple. But when Solomon brought in the ark, the glory of God filled it (v10). Likewise, if we don't bring in the ark, we are just a temple. Significantly, bring in the ark requires an action and that is to do. We have choices. The ark and the Tabernacle was outside the temple. God glory was over the Tabernacle but not over the temple. So act to bring the ark into your temple. It is both a desire and a conscience act.
2. In Solomon prayer, it talked about happen when a man do this wrong and that, what happen when this and that event occurred. Bring God into your daily activities. Involve God. He knows our doing correct and our doing wrong. But regardless, He wants you. Engaged God in our activities through prayer. Speak to God in anything and in everything. So act to bring Him in picture of our everyday activities
3. It is not passive. It is not just about having God and that's it. If you believe me in my heart, say it aloud. The love for our God has to be translate into action. Solomon gave and sacrifice sheep and cattle and consecrated the temple. All input must somehow translated to some output and that is when we grow - the product of our love for God brings about the fruit of the spirit. No good tree bears bad fruit. In simple terms, it is about our service to God and our giving of our worship, our time, our tithe. Jesus said, for the least you do to my brother, you do it unto me. You grow when you serve and when you serve you grow.
1 King 9:1-9. God visitation to Solomon concluded Solomon act of prayer and dedication to the temple. God came, He has listened to Solomon prayer and accepted Solomon sacrifice. In return, He gave Solomon His promises.
Is it not wonderful to have a personal encounter with God? Is it more wonderful to know that your prayers did not go unanswered? Is it more awesome to know that we have a destiny and promises from God? So bring God into your life, engaged Him in your activities, serving Him in act of obedience!
No comments:
Post a Comment