I Kings 6
Solomon starts Temple in fourth yearverse 1
And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year
after the children of Israel were
come out of the land of Egypt
in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel
in the month Zif – which is the second month
that he began to build
the house of the LORD
Dimensions of the Templeverses 2-4
And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD
the length thereof was threescore cubits
the breadth thereof twenty cubits
the height thereof thirty cubits
And the porch before the temple of the house
twenty cubits was the length thereof
according to the breadth of the house
ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house
And for the house he made windows of narrow lights
Room built on side of Templeverses 5-6
Against the wall of the house he built chambers round about
against the walls of the house round about
both of the temple and of the oracle
and he made chambers round about
The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad
the middle was six cubits broad
the third was seven cubits broad
for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests
round about – that the beams should not be fastened
in the walls of the house
Stones for Temple cut offsiteverse 7
And the house – when it was in building
was built of stone made ready
before it was brought thither
so that there was neither hammer nor ax
nor tool of iron heard in the house
while it was in building
Three floors of rooms describedverses 8-10
The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house
and they went up with winding stairs
into the middle chamber
and out of the middle into the third
So he built the house – and finished it
and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar
And then he built chambers against all the house
five cubits high and they rested on the house
with timber of cedar
LORD promises presence with obedienceverses 11-13
And the word of the LORD came to Solomon
saying
Concerning this house which you are in building
IF you will WALK in MY statutes
and EXECUTE MY judgments
and KEEP all MY commandments to
WALK in them
THEN will I perform MY word with you
which I spoke to David your father
and I will dwell among the children of Israel
and I will not forsake MY people Israel
Entire inside of Temple paneled with woodverses 14-15
So Solomon built the house – and finished it
and he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar
both the floor of the house – and the walls of the ceiling
and he covered them on the inside with wood
and covered the floor of the house
with planks of fir
Outside Most Holy Placeverses 16-18
And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house
both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar
he even built them for it within – even for the oracle
even for the most holy place
And the house – that is – the temple before it – was forty cubits long
and the cedar of the house within was carved with knobs
and open flowers – all was cedar
There was no stone seen
Most Holy Placeverses 19-22
And the oracle he prepared in the house within
to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD
and the oracle in the forepart
was twenty cubits in length
twenty cubits in breadth
twenty cubits in height thereof
and he overlaid it with pure gold
and so covered the altar which was of cedar
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold
and he made a partition by the chains of gold
before the oracle and he overlaid it with gold
and the whole house he overlaid with gold
until he had finished all the house
also the whole altar that was by the oracle
he overlaid with gold
Two cherubim in Most Holy Placeverses 23-28
And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive tree
each ten cubits high
and five cubits was the one wing of the cherub
and five cubits the other wing of the cherub
from the uttermost part of the one wing
to the uttermost part of the other
were ten cubits
and the other cherub was ten cubits
both the cherubim were of one
measure and one size
the height of the one cherub was ten cubits
and so was it of the other cherub
And he set the cherubim within the inner house
and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim
so that the wing of the one touched the one wall
and the wing of the other cherub
touched the other wall
and their wings touched one another
in the midst of the house
And he overlaid the cherubim with gold
Wall decorations described including floorverses 29-30
And he carved all the walls of the house round about
with carved figures of cherubim – palm trees
open flowers – within and without
And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold
within and without
Entrance to inner sanctuary describedverses 31-32
And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree
the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall
The two doors also were of olive tree – and he carved on them
carvings of cherubim – palm trees – open flowers
and overlaid them with gold
and spread gold upon the cherubim
and upon the palm trees
Doorposts and doorsverses 33-35
So also made he for the doors of the temple posts of olive trees
a fourth part of the wall
And the two doors were of fir tree
the two leaves of the one door were folding
the two leaves of the other door were folding
and he carved thereon
cherubim – palm trees – open flowers
and covered them with gold fitted
upon the carved work
Inner courtyardverse 36
And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone
and a row of cedar beams
Seven years to build Templeverses 37-38
In the fourth year was
the foundation of the house of the LORD laid
in the month Zif
And in the eleventh year – in the month Bul
which is the eighth month – was the housed finished
throughout all the parts thereof
and according to all the fashion of it
So was he seven years in building it
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof was twenty cubits, and the height thereof was thirty cubits. (520 “cubits” [‘ammah] means forearm, spigot, or a unit of length based on the length of the forearm from the tips of the fingers to the elbow, possibly about18 inches)
DEVOTION: Details are important to the LORD. Solomon had all the details figured out before he built the Temple. His father had collected much of the material for the Temple while he was still king.
This chapter gives us many of the small details regarding the appearance of the Temple. The LORD wanted us to know the different parts of the Temple and the importance of each part.
The whole Temple was holy to the LORD. Some parts were holier than others. The inner part was called the holy of holies. Only the high priest could enter this part once a year. He had to go in to offer atonement for sin first for himself and then for the whole nation of Israel. If he did anything improperly he had bells on the bottom of his garment and a rope around one of his legs and if the bells stopped ringing it meant that he was dead and had to be pulled out by the rope because no one else could enter without dying as well.
Details are sometimes missed by those who claim Christ because their lives are not changing to bring more glory to the LORD. HE wants us to be more Christ- like the longer we are a believer.
HE watches every detail of our life to see what we are doing with HIS commands in our daily walk with HIM. What does HE see in the details of our life right now?
CHALLENGE: Are we bringing glory to HIM because our bodies are HIS temple today?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 And the word of the LORD came to Solomon saying
: 12 Concerning this house which you are in building, IF you will walk in MY statutes, and execute MY judgments, and keep all MY commandments to walk in them; THEN will I perform MY word with you, which I spoke to David your father. (6965 “perform” [quwm] means arise, to get up, stand up, to come to fruition, to endure, to institute, enact, or establish.)
DEVOTION: Throughout HIS training of the children of Israel the LORD made it plain that HE expected obedience first and foremost if they were going to receive HIS blessing. It was obedience to all of HIS statutes and judgments and commandments. Now we know that there could not be perfect obedience and that is why HE set up the sacrificial system.
If someone broke one of these statutes, judgments or commandment they would have to confess it and bring a sacrifice to the priest for forgiveness. It was a simple system because the statutes and judgments and commandments were to be taught by the fathers to their children every moment of every day as they were growing up.
If the parents were responsible there would not be a generation that didn’t know what the LORD expected of them and would have no excuse for being disobedient. That was the system the LORD put in place.
Well, the fathers didn’t do their job and the children didn’t know what to do in every situation and this caused the nation to fall into sin on a regular basis. This was not only the fathers fault but the fault of the priests as well. They were to set the example for the rest of the people.
We have already read about Eli and his sons and then Samuel and his sons and David and his sons in the last few chapters of our study in the Word of God. Now we have another generation that doesn’t know the Word of God because the fathers of our generation are not teaching their children the standards that the LORD set down for HIS people.
The standards of the LORD have not changed. Sin is sin and righteousness is righteousness. There is no middle ground. It is either sin or righteousness in the eyes of the LORD. There is no gray area with God.
Too many pastors and teachers are instructing our future leaders in a way that seems to imply that there is a middle ground with the LORD. This is false teaching. The Bible is the standard not society.
Society might win some battles but the LORD is going to be the final judge of those who listen to society over HIS Word.
CHALLENGE: God’s standards have not changed in regard to how we are to live our lives. Jesus Christ set the proper example for us to follow today and we need to follow HIM.
: 19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. (1687 “oracle” [dabiyr] means holy of holies, the innermost room of a temple, the inmost recess, adytum, sanctuary, hindmost chamber, or rear room)
DEVOTION: Here we have the holy of holies of the Temple described. This is where the Ark of the Covenant was set up. The innermost room was a place only the High Priest could enter. He entered it once a year.
The LORD was giving important instructions to those who built the Temple. HE wanted everything in its proper place. HE wanted the builders to know how important this room was to build. There had to be no mistakes.
This was the place that the LORD met the High Priest once a year and he sacrificed with a rope around his leg, so that, if he entered improperly they could pull him out because he was dead.
We need to realize today that we are entering the presence of the LORD each day when we have our daily devotions. We should enter it with the understanding that we want to meet the LORD.
We should enter with the understanding that Jesus Christ was the final sacrifice for our sins. HE gives us the ability to enter into the presence of God in prayer and ask HIM for what we think we need to serve HIM better.
Our understanding of the presence of God is not one of fear and trembling. It is one of joy because of Jesus and what HE has done on the cross for us. We need to take every opportunity we can to go into the presence of the LORD and ask direction for our lives and the forgiveness of sins.
We know that we have to make a genuine commitment to HIM when we turn our lives over to HIM but we also have to make a daily commitment to HIM to follow HIS directions as given in the Bible and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit during our times of devotions.
CHALLENGE: Do we enter into the presence of the LORD with joy or fear and trembling? If we are going into HIS presence for direction and forgiveness then we are entering properly.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 23 And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive tree, each ten cubits high. (3742 “cherubim” [keruwb] means cherub, angelic being, guardians of garden of Eden or concerned with protecting God’s holiness)
DEVOTION: The angels are created beings. They were created before the foundation of the world. One third of the angels fell with Satan before the world was created. The angels always appear as male only. There are no female angels. Humans never become angels. Angels are never human. They will never become humans. At times when they came to the earth with a message from the LORD they appeared as men.
Evil angels are called demons in the New Testament. They are able to indwell those who don’t know Christ. They are able to even influence those who are followers of Christ. They can’t indwell believers because the Holy Spirit is there. Every false god has a demon or fallen angel behind it.
There is order to the angels. The cherubim are those who guard the holiness of God. We first hear of them in the Garden of Eden. They were used to keep Adam and Eve out of the Garden. There were two cherubim set up outside the Garden of Eden after the LORD put Adam and Eve out of the garden. They were not able to come back in to eat of the tree of life. We hear of seraphim when we read of the occasion when Isaiah receives a vision of heaven. The seraphim were the ones who were singing the praise of the Triune God. They worshiped the Godhead. There are twenty-two different offices or responsibilities for angels. Other angels are called principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. These words describe both good and evil angels.
Satan was a cherub. He was beautiful. He was full of pride. He has limited power. He can only be in one place at one time. He has the other fallen angels under his control. He thought he could be like God. He has been defeated by Christ in the resurrection.
The Lake of Fire has been prepared for him and his angels. Joining them in the Lake of Fire will be all those who reject Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
The two cherubim in the holy of holies were to show that the presence of God would be there at special times. The cherubim were not to be worshiped or prayed to. Only the LORD is to be prayed to.
Angels are fellow servants, as we humans are servants of the LORD. There are angels all around us and we never see them unless God wants us to see them. The Bible tells us that there are wars in heaven going on while we are here on the earth. Each nation has its good and evil angels. The book of Daniel gives us the best illustration of the national wars that are going on in our world.
The book of Hebrews informs us that those who are “heirs of salvation” have a guardian angel. All believers have this special privilege given to them by the LORD. HIS angels are all around us. Remember we are not to worship them.
Study the doctrine of angels found throughout the Word of God. Know the difference between the good and evil angels. Know their power and its limit.
CHALLENGE: Don’t believe what the world teaches about angels. It is not BIBLICAL. Look to the Word of God alone for answers.
: 32 The two doors also were of olive tree: and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees. (6731 “flowers” [tsiyts] means blossom, bloom, shining thing, ornament on forehead of priest, or budded)
DEVOTION: Why did the LORD want budding blossoms in the holy of holies and other places in the Temple? If you remember the children of Israel in the wilderness you remember them always seeming to challenge their leaders. They would challenge Moses’ leadership during hard times. They would question where their food would be coming from. They would challenge where they were going to get the water necessary to keep them alive. They would challenge why they didn’t have any meat to eat. They were grumblers and complainers.
One of the challenges was the choice of the tribe of Levi as God’s representative to the children of Israel. They thought any tribe could be good enough for this position.
So a test was done to see who God wanted to be the tribe to be the spiritual leaders of Israel. Each tribe gave a rod from their tribe to be put in the Tabernacle overnight and the one that budded would be the one that the LORD wanted to serve as HIS representatives to the nation. Well, the next morning Aaron’s rod not only budded but it had flowers on it and fruit on it. There was no doubt as to what tribe was to represent Israel before the LORD.
The decoration of the interior of the Temple included is budded blossom to show the people who were to be HIS representative and to show that the LORD can bring life to a dead rod.
HE had picked a dead nation to be HIS representative to the world. They came out of slavery to form a nation that would honor HIM. This nation produced the Savior of the World in Jesus Christ.
CHALLENGE: Does our life show a life that is alive for HIM? Are we budding and blossoming in front of the world or do they see something that is not living proof of HIS power?
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
House of the LORDverses 1-10, 14
Measurements of house given
Porch
Windows
Holy of Holies
Three chambers
Overlaid with pure gold
Ark of the Covenantverse 19
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORDverse 11
Statutesverse 12
Judgmentsverse 12
Commandmentsverse 12
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 1, 2, 11, 19, 37
House of the LORDverses 1, 37
Word of the LORD verse 11
Promise to dwell among Israelverse 12
Ark of the covenant of the LORDverse 19
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Cherubimverses 23-28, 29, 32, 35
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Egyptverse 1
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Not walk statutes- judgments- commandmentsverse 12
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for oursins)
Walkverse 12
Executeverse 12
Keepverse 12
Promiseverse 12
Not forsakenverse 13
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Children of Israelverses 1, 13
out of Egypt 418 years
LORD will dwell among them
Promise of the LORD not to forsake if obedient
Solomonverses 1, 11
Fourth year of his reign
Month Zif (second month)
Word of the LORD came to him
Finished building
Building of Templeverses 1-10, 14-28
Started in 4 year foundation
Finished it in 11th year
Davidverse 12
Ark of the covenantverse 19
Seven years to build Templeverses 37-38
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
37–38 Seven years were required to complete the temple. An enormous amount of man hours and a lavish expenditure of funds were involved. All the plans and specifications of David were carried out. It must have been a moment of great satisfaction to Solomon to see the fulfillment of his father’s dream; and when God acknowledged the temple by filling it with his glory, Solomon’s joy knew no bounds (Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 68). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House)
6:37–38. Seven years were spent building the temple, from the 4th year of Solomon’s reign (966 b.c.; cf. comments on 6:1) to his 11th year (959 b.c.). More precisely, this was seven and one-half years. Ziv is April–May and Bul, the eighth month, is October–November. (Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 500–501). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
Ver. 38. In the 11th year, &c.] That is, of the reign of Solomon: in the month But; which is the 8th month; from the month Abib or Nisan; this month answers to part of our October, and part of November; it is the same month sometimes called Marchesvan; it had the name of Bul, because of the rains which usually fell in this month, as Kimchi thinks, like a flood; and Noah’s flood is called Mabbul, from the same root, and when all the fruits were withered, and the leaves were fallen from the trees; or, as Jarchi supposes, because the grass was consumed in the field, and they were obliged to mix provender for cattle, deriving the word from another root: in this month was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof; the porch, the holy place, and holy of holies, with all the chambers and courts belonging to it: and according to all the fashion of it; which David had given to Solomon, to frame it by: so he was seven years in building it; and six months, which are not mentioned, only the round number is given, as appears by comparing it with ver. 1. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 699). London: Mathews and Leigh)
37–38. It is astonishing to conceive that so great a work could have been accomplished in so short a time. We find that Solomon was employed thirteen years in building his own house, but the house of God only seven. Not that his own bore any kind of proportion, in point of magnificence, I apprehend, but that Solomon was less eager, less earnest, for its accomplishment. Reader! it is a blessed sign of grace when divine things occupy our thoughts, and call up our affections more than human. It is a blessed precept of Jesus, and connected with a blessed promise in the performance, which I venture to believe hath never failed in a single instance in the experience of the faithful; Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (lesser things which are needful) shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 43). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
Another interesting feature present was the Cherubim. While the Cherubim which belonged to the ark of the covenant remained unchanged, for it was the same ark which was in the tabernacle, Solomon put on either side of it the big figure of a Cherub carved of olive wood and overlaid with gold. Each was ten cubits high. The two with their wings met over the mercy seat, while the wing of the one touched the wall on the south and the wing of the other touched the wall on the north. Then instead of these Cherubim, like those on the ark, looking downwards towards the mercy seat, they looked outwards. (2 Chron. 3:13.) And this is in harmony with the reign of righteousness which is foreshadowed in Solomon and the Temple. “At that time, righteousness reigning and being established, these symbols of God’s power can look outwards in blessing, instead of having their eyes fixed on the covenant alone. During the time there was nothing but the covenant, they gazed upon it; but when God has established His Throne in righteousness, He can turn towards the world to bless it according to that righteousness.” (Gaebelein, A. C. (2009). The annotated Bible: Joshua to Second Chronicles (Vol. 2, p. 262). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
THE CROSS AND CHRIST’S LOVE
…the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Looking at our Lord on the cross, what I see above everything else is the love that made Him do it all. “Love so amazing, so divine.” What does it mean? Let the apostle himself answer the question. This is how he puts it: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:6-10).
It comes to this, my dear friends: He is dying there because of His love for you, His love for me, His love for those who are sinners, those who are rebels, those who are enemies. He died for people who hated Him. As He was dying there, Saul of Tarsus was hating Him, but He was dying for Saul of Tarsus. As Paul (to give his subsequent name) puts it later: “….the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). He did not wait until Paul was converted before He loved him. He loved him even when Saul of Tarsus was blaspheming His holy name, ridiculing His claim that He was the Son of God and the Lord of Glory, ridiculing the idea that He came to teach us and to die for us and to save us, pouring his blasphemous scorn upon Him. While Paul was doing that, Christ was dying for Paul. And He was doing the same for you and for me.
A Thought to Ponder
He died for people who hated Him. From The Cross, pp. 59-60.
After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples.
INSIGHT
Jesus’ message of salvation is the greatest news on earth. He does not leave to chance the need for His message to be taken to all earth’s people.
In Matthew 28, Jesus charges His disciples with that task. If however, you begin the recital of the Great Commission with verse 19, you have the “great omission.” Verse 19 begins with “Go therefore.” But to fully understand the phrase, we must go to verse 18 to see what “therefore” is there for.
On the basis of His authority, we are to go, and to go in confidence that, as we are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ’s commission, He will accomplish His work through us
(Quiet Walk)
Becoming the Gospel
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27)
The Greek word translated “conversation” emphasizes “citizenship,” with all of its attendant loyalties and expectations for appropriate behavior. The structure of the introductory word “only” indicates that it is an adjective, not an adverb. Thus, the opening phrase could be rendered, “Your only citizenship must be lived out so that it becomes the gospel.”
The New Testament employs three different Greek terms that are translated “conversation.” Anastrepho is best understood as “dwelling” or “remaining” in a certain place. “Put off concerning the former conversation,” we are commanded in Ephesians 4:22. Tropos stresses the manner of life, perhaps implying the reputation one gains by the lifestyle. “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example” (Jude 1:7). Politeuo, the term used by Paul in our text, conveys citizenship. “For our conversation is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, politeuma). The emphasis of our text is on our lifestyle and testimony as “ambassadors” in a foreign land (2 Corinthians 5:20). As such, we are to live in a manner that “becometh” the gospel—“that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1).
We are to stand fast in a unity of one spirit with one mind. Paul closed his letter to the Philippians with this: “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
(ṣîṣ). Blossom, flower, plate. Within the temple built by Solomon, the cedar was carved in the form of gourds and open flowers (I Kgs 6:18). Also on the wall were carved figures of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers (6:29). The two doors of olivewood which led to the inner sanctuary (6:32) and the folding doors of fir or cypress which led to the nave (6:34f.) were similarly carved. ṣîṣ also refers to the plate made out of pure gold and engraved with “Holy to Yahweh” which was placed on a lace of blue and put as a sacred diadem on the high priest’s turban (Ex 28:36f; 39:30). Aaron thereby bore the iniquity of the holy offerings in order that they might be accepted before Yahweh (Ex 28:38). During the wilderness sojourning the tribes challenged the priestly role of Aaron’s house (Num 17:1–11 [H 16–26]). The contest was settled by each tribe’s placing its rod before the testimony in the tent of meeting. God demonstrated in finality that solely Aaron’s house was chosen as priests, for his rod alone budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds (Num 17:8 [H 23]). The length of man’s life is compared to the flourishing flower of the field, which is soon gone and fades when it encounters the winds (Ps 103:15f., cf. Ps 90:5f.; Job 14:1f.). In Isa the fading flower is contrasted to the enduring word of God (Isa 40:6ff.). The wicked too for a season may prosper abundantly and receive magnificent splendor, but although they flourish like the sprouting grass, they are doomed to eternal destruction (Ps 92:7 [H 8]). Similarly Ephraim’s flower of his glorious beauty will fade and be destroyed before Yahweh’s fierce anger; i.e. his rich valleys will be trodden down (Isa 28:1–4). In contrast, during the reign of the righteous king, men will blossom in the cities (Ps 72:16). Israel too shall blossom abundantly and fill the whole earth with its produce (Isa 27:6). Its rich produce will easily support the people. (Hartley, J. E. (1999). 1893 צוּץ. (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Eds.)Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press.)
Nothing happens in our lives or in the world apart from divine appointment or permission. Behind every event and incident, there is divine providence.
Walk thru Bible Devotional
There’s No Such Thing as the Gift of Evangelism by Ed Stetzer
Why is it that Christians are always looking for ways to talk themselves out of doing evangelism?
Why is it that Christians are always looking for ways to talk themselves out of doing evangelism?
It’s pretty clear that God sent Jesus into the world to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus acted on full authority of God and commissioned us to make disciples (Matt. 28:16-20). We have been sent into the world just as Jesus was sent (John 17:18; 20:21).
Yet, it seems to me a whole lot of people are talking themselves out of their calling to do evangelism for a lot of reasons. Let me tackle just two. Simply put, Christians need to stop thinking evangelism is a spiritual gift and stop thinking you can preach the gospel without words.
There’s no such thing as the gift of evangelism.
It’s an unbiblical and unhelpful idea to think we should not share the gospel because we lack the spiritual gift of evangelism. Some think if a person doesn’t possess the gift of evangelism, then they are often relieved of this burden; they no longer have the responsibility to do evangelism. That’s bunk.
Here is why it is so unhelpful to refer to evangelism as a spiritual gift reserved for the few: It removes the responsibility of all believers to share their faith. In other words, many think if they don’t have the gift, then it is not their job.
But in the Bible, evangelism is not a “gift.” (Don’t believe me? Look it up.) Instead, sharing Christ is a call for all believers. Somewhere along the way, people confused the “role” of evangelist (Eph. 4:11) with the “gift” of evangelism. There is no gift of evangelism, but a call for all to evangelize. The church is gifted with evangelists, and their job is to equip all of God’s people to do evangelism.
The “evangelist” is a biblical role and a gift to the church. Evangelism is a biblical mandate for all believers and a responsibility of the church. We should not wait for the gift of evangelism before we assume the task of evangelism.
All believers are given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). Therefore, all Christians are called to be agents of reconciliation and to share how men and women are to be reconciled and redeemed—changed by the power of the proclaimed gospel.
Preach the Gospel—use words, since it’s necessary.
Francis of Assisi is attributed the statement: “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” I’ve seen it on Facebook about a billion times.
I can appreciate living in such a way that our lives point to the person and work of Jesus. However, two basic problems exist: 1) Francis never said it, and 2), the quote is just not biblical.
For many today, wordless ministry is a compelling approach. “Words are cheap,” we like to say, and, “Actions speak louder than words.” Some cite 1 John 3:18 as validation for their lack of words: “Little children, we must not love with words or speech, but with truth and action” (HCSB).
But, John is not saying to be quiet, but rather to love one another in actions as well as words. The Bible is full of exhortations to share the gospel with words:
“This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world.” (Matt. 24:14)
“They continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:42)
“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.” (Acts 8:5)
“This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” (Acts 17:3)
Christians are quick to encourage each other to “live out the gospel” and to “be the gospel” to our neighbors. The missional desire is helpful, yet the result can be really unhelpful if it continues to give Christians yet another reason not to share Christ.
Saying “preach the gospel; when necessary, use words” is a lot like saying “feed the hungry; when necessary, use food.” Both are silly when people need bread—and the bread of life. So proclaim it. Out loud. To people without Christ.
The communication of the gospel is part of the process—and the only means—by which people are brought into a right relationship with God. The apostle Paul made this point to the church in Rome when he said: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:13-14, HCSB).
If we are to make disciples of all nations, we must use words. So let me encourage us to preach the gospel—and use words, since it’s necessary.
And you don’t need a gift to do it.
Stop making excuses.
Christians seem to really love evangelism—as long as someone else is doing it.
Let’s not find and propagate reasons to not share Christ. There is not a gift of evangelism, but there is a call. Yes, we need to demonstrate the implications of the gospel in how we live—but let’s tell people far and wide about the good news of Christ
Let’s just have everyone tell somebody about someone who changes everything.
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