I Kings 7
Solomon built palace for himselfverse 1
But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years
and he finished all his house
Solomon’s house of the forest of Lebanonverses 2-5
He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon
the length thereof was a hundred cubits
the breadth thereof fifty cubits
the height thereof thirty cubits
on four rows of cedar pillars
with cedar beams upon the pillars
And it was covered with cedar above the beams
that lay on forty-five pillars – fifteen in a row
and there were windows in three rows
and light was against light in three ranks
and all the doors and posts were square
with the windows
and light was against light in three ranks
Porch of Palaceverse 6
He made a porch of pillars the length thereof was fifty cubits
the breadth thereof thirty cubits
the porch was before them
and the other pillars
and the thick beam were before them
Throne room called the hall of Justiceverses 7-8
Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge
even the porch of judgment
and it was covered with cedar
from one side of the floor to the other
His house where he dwelt had another court within the porch
which was of the like work
Solomon made also a house for Pharaoh’s daughter
whom he had taken to wife – like unto this porch
Construction materialverses 9-12
All these were of costly stones
according to the measures of hewed stones
sawed with saws – within and without
even from the foundation unto the coping
and so on the outside toward the great court
And the foundation was of costly stones – even great stones
stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits
and above were costly stones
after the measures of hewed stones
and cedars
The great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones
and a row of cedar beams
both for the inner court of the house of the LORD
and for the porch of the house
Solomon hired Hiram to do metal workverses 13-15
And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre
he was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali
and his father was a man of Tyre – a worker in brass
he was filled with wisdom – understanding
cunning to work all works in brass
And he came to king Solomon – and wrought all his work
for he cast two pillars of brass – of eighteen cubits high apiece
and a line of twelve cubits did compass
either of them about
Hiram built two chapiters in front of Templeverses 16-22
And he made two chapiters of molten brass
to set upon the tops of the pillars
the height of the one chapiter was five cubits
the height the other chapiter was five cubits
and nets of checker work – and wreaths of chain work
for the chapiters which were upon the top of
the pillars
seven for the one chapiter – seven for the other chapiter
And he made the pillars – two rows round about upon the one network
to cover the chapiters that were upon the top – with pomegranates
and so did he for the other chapiter
And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars
were of lily work in the porch – four cubits
And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above
over against the belly which was by the network
and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows
round about upon the other chapiter
And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple
and he set up the right pillar
and called the name thereof Jachin
and he set up the left pillar
and called the name thereof Boaz
and upon the top of the pillars was lily work
so was the work of the pillars finished
Hiram built the molten seaverses 23-26
And he made a molten sea – ten cubits from the one brim to the other
it was round all about – and his height was five cubits
and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about
and under the brim of it round about there were knobs
compassing it – ten in a cubit
compassing the sea round about
the knobs were cast in two rows
when it was cast
it stood upon twelve oxen three looking toward the north
three looking toward the west
three looking toward the south
three looking toward the east
and the sea was set above upon them
and all their hinder parts were inward
and it was a handbreadth thick
and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup
with flowers of lilies
it contained two thousand baths
Hiram built ten bases of brassverses 27-33
And he made ten bases of brass four cubits was the length of one base
four cubits the breadth thereof
three cubits the height of it
and the work of the bases was on this manner
they had borders
and the borders were between the ledges
and on the borders that were between
the ledges were lions – oxen – cherubim
and upon the ledges there was a base above
and beneath the lions and oxen were
certain additions made of thin work
and every base had four brazen wheels – and plates of brass
and the four corners thereof had undersetters
under the laver were undersetters molten
at the side of every addition
and the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was
a cubit – but the mouth thereof was round after the
work of the base – a cubit and an half
and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their
borders – foursquare – not round
and under the borders were four wheels
and the axletrees of the wheels were joined
to the base
and the height of a wheel was a cubit
and half a cubit
and the work of the wheels was like the work of a
chariot wheel
and their axletree – naves – felloes – spokes
were all molten
Hiram built supports for basesverses 34-37
And there were four undersetters to the four corners of one base
and the undersetters were of the very base itself
And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high
and on the top of the base the ledges thereof
and the borders thereof were of the same
for on the plates of the ledges thereof
on the borders thereof – he graved
cherubim – lions – palm trees
according to the proportion of every
one – and additions round about
After this manner he made the ten bases – all of them had one casting
one measure – one size
Hiram built ten laver of brassverses 38-40
Then made he ten lavers of brass – one laver contained forty baths
and every laver was four cubits
and upon every one of the ten bases one laver
And he put five bases on the right side of the house
and five on the left side of the house
and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward
over against the south
And Hiram made the lavers – and the shovels and the basins
Summary of what Hiram built for Templeverses 40-47
So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made King Solomon
for the house of the LORD – the two pillars
the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars
the two networks – to cover the two bowls of the chapiters
which were upon the top of the pillars
four hundred pomegranates for the two networks
even two rows of pomegranates for one network
to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were
upon the pillars
the ten bases – the ten lavers on the bases – the one sea
and twelve oxen under the sea
the pots – the shovels – the basins – and all the vessels
which Hiram made to king Solomon for the
house of the LORD
were of bright brass
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them
in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan
And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed
because they were exceeding many
neither was the weight of the brass found out
Summary of the furnishing for Templeverses 48-50
And Solomon made all the vessels
that pertained to the house of the LORD
the altar of gold
the table of gold whereupon the showbread was
the candlesticks of pure gold -five on the right side
five on the left
before the oracle – with the flowers – lamps – tongs of gold
the bowls – the snuffers – the basins – the spoons
the censers of pure gold – the hinges of gold
both for the doors of the inner house
the most holy place
and for the doors of the house to wit – of the temple
Solomon brought dedicated things into Templeverse 51
So was ended all the work that king Solomon made
for the house of the LORD
And Solomon brought in the things
which David his father had dedicated
even the silver – and the gold – and the vessels
did he put among the treasures of the
house of the LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. (1215 “building” (ba-na) means make, form or make something new)
DEVOTION: Solomon started by building a Temple for the LORD in seven years. Then he took thirteen years to build a house for himself. Here we see it was called a palace. It had everything he needed to do the business of a king and have a living space as well.
There was a time of peace in the nation and he did the construction during this time period. He took care of the LORD’S house and then had a house for his family and for service to his country.
It seems like this was one house but with interconnected buildings for his wives. The floor space in the house was believed to be 11, 250 square feet. So, it was very large compared to a normal house today.
Our youngest son is looking for a house and he looks at the square footage to compare prices. This is comparing apples and oranges when it comes to size. He is looking at houses that have a little over 2,000 square feet of room while the palace had close to 12, 000 square feet of room.
So during this time period there was great wealth in the nation of Israel. His time as king was one of great blessing. We have great blessing here in this country as we think of our housing compared to many parts of the world. We sometimes think that we would like more room for our possessions but that should not be our thought process.
Many people in other countries and today especially believers are being forced out of their homes and communities with threats of death because of their beliefs and so they have to take what they can carry on their back when they leave. That is the only possession they will have when they arrive in a new country.
Our housing is like the housing of Solomon compared to their housing. When was the last time you thanked the LORD for what HE has allowed you to have in our nation? We should be a real thankful people. Solomon thanked the LORD for what he was able to do for his nation and in his nation.
Too often we fall into the trap of just wanting a little bit more but then are not happy with that either. Satisfaction is hard to come by in our world. We need to be satisfied with what the LORD gives us and continually say “thank you” to HIM for HIS gifts to us.
Also, we need to help those who are less fortunate than us when they need our help.
CHALLENGE: God wants us to understand HE is blessing us beyond what so many other people have in our world.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 7 Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other. (8199“shaphat” “to act as law-giver, or judge or vindicate, rule, or to decide controversy)
DEVOTION: This hall of judgment was attached to the Palace that Solomon built. He used it to make decisions for the nation and the people who came for judgment. He worked close to home.
He had a wall around the palace. It is thought that his palace was somewhere near the Temple. He wanted to serve the LORD by making righteous judgments for the nation of Israel. This hall had to be active six days a week. He could walk from his palace to the judgment hall to for his day’s work.
Leaders have to watch how they build their own homes to honor the LORD. Some can be too expensive while they are supported by people who have much smaller homes. There should be a comparison between the leader and his people. He should not live above his people.
Also we find that part of the responsibility of leadership is to judge between what people are doing to each other. We have to take all of our judgments to the Word of God and make sure that we are not using human standards but the LORD’S standards for judgment.
Solomon was wise in understanding the standards of the LORD. He wanted to make decisions that would please the LORD first and then let the people know that HIS judgments were coming from his understanding of the standard the LORD had set for the land.
God had given the people the land to honor HIM. All decisions that are made by HIS people should honor HIM. All the decisions we make should bring honor and glory to HIM.
CHALLENGE: This will be the witness that we have in the community that we live in and show the love of God to on a regular basis.
: 14 He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to King Solomon, and wrought all his work. (4390 “filled” [mala’] means full, consecrate, overflow, abundance, accomplished, or full amount.)
DEVOTION: Here we have a man that the LORD blessed with wisdom in working with his hands. He could make everything he did for the glory of the LORD. It was the LORD who gave him wisdom.
There are people who are book smart but can’t use their hands for building or making things. There are people who can build things every well but are not usually reading a book. There are people who can do both.
I am not mechanically inclined. It takes me a while to learn how to do some things around the house. It takes some time to learn even to use the computer like some people like to use their computers. I love to read and try to learn from my reading how to honor the LORD and help others understand the Word of God. Each of us is gifted by the LORD in our area of expertise. Some have more gifts than others.
Hiram was gifted in his ability to build things out of brass. He made brass pillars for the Temple. He decorated the pillars. He even had names for the pillars in the Temple area.
After he made the pillars, he made other items for the Temple. He decorated everything he made of brass. His gift was to be able to work with brass and he used his gift to help with the construction of the items needed to worship the LORD in the Temple.
Our gifted area needs to be used to build the church of Jesus Christ in such a way to bring glory to the LORD. There is no place in the church for just pew sitters. Each man and woman is gifted by the Holy Spirit with a gift that needs to be used to bring glory to the LORD in the local body of believers. There should be no competition between fellow believers over who does what where in the church. All believers should be able to work together to build a work that is pleasing to the LORD.
Also remember there are people who think they are gifted in an area where they are not really gifted and when told they just get mad and don’t do anything for the LORD. Allow the LORD to use you in the areas that HE has gifted you in and be satisfied in that area.
CHALLENGE: Are you using your gift to bring glory to the LORD in your local church or are you sitting in the pew watching others us their gift? You only give glory to God if you are using your God given gift for HIM.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
; 29 And in the borders that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon the ledges there was a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen were certain additions made of thin work. (7948 “ledges” [shalab] means joining, corners, borders, cross-piece, cross-bar, or a framing piece which helps hold together a frame, and attach decorative items to the frame)
DEVOTION: There has to be pieces that hold the other pieces together to make something sturdy. This is what these parts did for the Temple. These ten mobile stands were constructed to carry the Wavers or basins. The measurements of these stands was four cubit square and three cubits high. Around the stands were lavishly engraved panels that depicted cherubim, lions and palm trees.
The LORD wants HIS house to be one that is impressive. HE didn’t want just something that looked good but something that was impressive to all that saw it. HE wanted the children of Israel to know that HE expected their best for a place to worship.
We need to realize that the LORD wants us to give HIM our best in our place of worship. That doesn’t mean that everything has to be made of gold but it should look like a place that honors HIM. Too often we don’t care what the church looks like and people who visit have the impression that God doesn’t expect our best no only in our worship but also for the place we worship in.
This doesn’t mean that it has to be made of gold but it should look like it is a place that people can some to that causes them to want to worship and not look at things that are put together halfway instead of great.
Many small churches have collections of old things that were not taken care of properly. They have a lot of things in storage or sitting around doing nothing to help people worship the LORD.
Our places of worship should be clean and well-kept to show people that we care about what the place that we worship in looks good. Sometimes we don’t have the money to buy things that are really impressive but we can buy things that look good.
God expects us to do the best we can with the finances and talents we have. If we give anything less to the LORD than we are not truly worshiping the LORD. We tell HIM we are satisfied with less than our best.
How does out church look compared to a place that is the best we can give HIM. When people come into our church what do they think? This is great or this is not really something that we take care of the best we can?
CHALLENGE: Are we settling for second best for the LORD or the best we can do?
: 51 So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD. (6944 “dedicated” [qodesh] means a sacred thing, sanctity, consecrated, hallowed, or sanctuary.)
DEVOTION: Construction is hard work. Those who are involved in construction had to be skilled with their hands. The unskilled labor could help but the skilled had to do the finished work. If an unskilled laborer did the finish work it would not look good. There are many people involved in construction today that are not skilled workers. Their work shows their talent.
This chapter informs us about the work of one man who had a gift from the LORD. Hiram was a man who was talented in brass. The LORD allows a listing in detail of all that he had made and how he made it in this chapter.
God is a God of detail. God gifts people for the work HE has given them to do in this life. David had set aside many treasures for the house of the LORD. He had consecrated them to the LORD. He knew that the priests and the house of the LORD would need a treasure to work from to get all the work done for the LORD.
The same is true today for ministries to move forward for the LORD. In the history of Israel there were times when the people did not give to the ministry of the temple. The priests went hungry. The temple fell into disrepute. The worship of the LORD suffered.
Solomon honored David’s wishes and gave it all to the LORD. Children should honor their parent’s wishes regarding things that they have given to the LORD.
We should all leave some of our estate to the LORD. Many parents think that their children will give money to the LORD from their inheritance. This doesn’t always happen. We need to honor the LORD with our gifts. Remember everything we have comes from the LORD. We even dedicate our children to the LORD when they are born with the hope and prayer that they will follow the LORD for the rest of their lives.
CHALLENGE: Have you dedicated your family to the LORD? Have you dedicated a portion of your income to the LORD? The LORD wants us to honor HIM.
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 12, 40, 45, 48, 51
Treasures of the house of the LORDverse 51
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 12, 40, 45, 48, 51
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)
Cheribimverse 36
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Pharaoh’s daughterverse 8
Hiram out of Tyreverse 13
Widow’s son from tribe of Naphtali
Worked on Temple
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Judgeverse 7
Wisdomverse 14
Understandingverse 14
Dedicatedverse 51
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Solomonverses 1-12, 40, 47, 51
Built own house in 13 years
Made all vessels that pertained to the house of the LORD
Pillars in Temple area: Jachin & Boazverses 15-22
Davidverse 51
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
7:18 pomegranates. One of the fruits of the Promised Land (Nu 13:23; Dt 8:8), these were popular decorative motifs used on the hem of Aaron’s priestly garment (Ex 28:33, 34). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ki 7:18). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Pomegranate. A round, sweet fruit about ten centimeters (four inches) across with a hard rind. It is green when young and turns red when ripe. There are numerous edible seeds inside the pomegranate.
The pomegranate tree has been cultivated in Palestine and Egypt since ancient times (Num. 13:23; Deut. 8:8). It grew as a bush or small tree, sometimes reaching a height of about 9 meters (30 feet) with small, lance-shaped leaves. The blossoms were bright red. The fruit usually ripened in August or September.
The hem of Aaron’s robe was decorated with blue, purple, and red pomegranates (Ex. 28:33–34; 39:24–26). It was listed among the pleasant fruits of Egypt (Num. 20:5). Solomon decorated the Temple with the likeness of the pomegranate (1 Kin. 7:18, 20). A spiced wine was made from the juice (Song 8:2). (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
The pomegranate was selected as a pattern of various ornamental carvings and embroiderings in ancient times. The fruit and the flower furnished beautiful models for the purpose. The chapiters or capitals of the pillars in the temple were covered on the top with carved pomegranates (1 Kings 7:18, 20, 42; 2 Kings 25:17; 2 Chron. 3:16, and 4:13; Jer. 52:22). Embroidered pomegranates, with golden bells between them, were put on the bottom of the high priest’s blue robe and ephod (Ex. 28:33, 34, 39:24–26).
Various parts of the pomegranate-tree have been used medicinally, especially for the cure of tape-worm. The bark of the root, the flowers, and the rind of the fruit, have been used for this purpose. The rind was employed for tanning and preparing the finer kinds of leather in early times. It is the principal material used at the present day in the manufacture of morocco leather. (Balfour, J. H. (1885). The Plants of the Bible (p. 79). London; Edinburgh; New York: T. Nelson and Sons.)
The pomegranate was a prized fruit of the ancient Near Eastern world, denoting abundance and beauty but without theological significance otherwise. The pomegranate tassels added decorative beauty to the robe but had no special function otherwise, unless they were so closely spaced in connection with the bells that they actually functioned as mufflers for the bells—something that cannot be either proved or disproved from the general descriptions given in the text.
The gold bells at the lower hem of the robe (v. 34) had a most important function: preventing the high priest’s death (v. 35). This part of the description implies that the high priest led the other priests into the holy place (the outer room) of the tabernacle in those cases where other priests accompanied him, so whether he was alone or accompanied, he was the first to enter or exit. Yahweh’s privacy and dignity were thus further symbolized by the ruling that his house could not be invaded without proper warning. A house that could be entered and exited casually would hardly constitute a royal domicile for the Lord of Glory. Did God actually need to hear the bells to know that the high priest, with or without other priests accompanying him, had entered the tabernacle? Hardly. Once again the value of a part of the vestments resided not in its actual required function but in the symbolism of that function relative to the covenant reality established by God for the benefit of his people. (Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, pp. 614–615). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
Remmon (rem’-mon) = Same as Rimmon = Pomegranate; very high; (roots = [1] a pomegranate; [2] to be high). (Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998). In The exhaustive dictionary of Bible names (p. 204). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos.)
Pomegranate—i.e., “grained apple” (pomum granatum), Heb. rimmon. Common in Egypt (Num. 20:5) and Palestine (13:23; Deut. 8:8). The Romans called it Punicum malum, i.e., Carthaginian apple, because they received it from Carthage. It belongs to the myrtle family of trees. The withering of the pomegranate tree is mentioned among the judgments of God (Joel 1:12). It is frequently mentioned in the Song of Solomon (Cant. 4:3, 13, etc.). The skirt of the high priest’s blue robe and ephod was adorned with the representation of pomegranates, alternating with golden bells (Ex. 28:33, 34), as also were the “chapiters upon the two pillars” (1 Kings 7:20) which “stood before the house.” (Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.)
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!!)
Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples.
INSIGHT
At the beginning of human history, the first people disobeyed God. That fateful choice proved spiritually fatal-for Adam, Eve, and all their descendants.
Since the fall, we have all imitated our first parents. We have tried to usurp God’s right to control His creation. We have demanded the right to control our own destinies, our own moral judgments, our own decisions.
Even those who actually walked with Jesus fell prey to this proud way of thinking. During the Last Supper, which you might think would be one of the most spiritually intimate moments in the disciples’ experience, an argument broke out about who was the greatest among them. Jesus replied that the greatest among them must be a servant to all.
Beware when you find yourself striving for preeminence. Instead, your quest must be servanthood. (Quiet Walk)
WHY DID THE CROSS HAPPEN?
…brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep…Isaiah 53:7
Why is the Son of God there on the cross? The first thing the Scriptures say is that it is not merely the action of men. Oh, but, you say, it is men who are hammering in those nails. I agree, but that would be the remark of a very superficial observer. What made the men do it? Is there nothing behind them? You see, the whole trouble in the world today is that we are all looking at everything superficially. We choose some activity, then we set up a royal commission to look into it, and we have a little superficial reporting. It makes no difference, nothing is any different, because we are superficial in our diagnosis—we are not able to see the depths of things beneath the surface. It is the same here. Why do I say that it was not merely the action of men? Why am I saying that it was not merely an accident? My answer is, of course, that it was something that had been prophesied.
Take the passage in Isaiah 53, an exact prophecy of what happened on the cross. Again, read the 22nd Psalm. That is another perfect prophecy of the death of our Lord upon the cross. It is prophesied many times in the Old Testament. Indeed, you will see it if you go back to books like Leviticus and other books of the law that people say they find utterly boring and beyond their understanding. If you only know how to read them, you will find that they are all pointing to the cross.
Or go back to Exodus and the story of the exodus of the children of Israel from the captivity of Egypt. Why did they have to kill that lamb, the paschal lamb as we call it, at night and put its blood on the doorposts and the lintels? It is a prophecy of this. Everything in the Passover story points to this event.
A Thought to Ponder: Everything in the Passover story points to the cross.
(From The Cross, pp. 65-66..by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
On Being Faithful
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:9)
It is important to note that the adjective “faithful” can be applied both to people and to things if they are believable and trustworthy. Our text above refers to the Word of God as being faithful. Obviously, if any teacher of the Word is to hold fast the faithful Word and teach sound doctrine, he too must be faithful. Paul also teaches that church leaders should have “faithful children” (Titus 1:6) and that their wives should be “faithful in all things” (1 Timothy 3:11).
The Greek word translated “faithful” is closely related to the words “faith” and “believe.” The same relationships are even stronger in the corresponding Hebrew words used in the Old Testament. It is vital to believe God’s faithful Word, for indeed “faith cometh by…the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
But genuine faith and faithfulness are not common commodities. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). The one man who is absolutely believable and trustworthy, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ. “If we believe not [that is, are unfaithful], yet he abideth faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). In the Bible’s climactic book, He is even introduced as “the faithful witness” (Revelation 1:5). Among His closing words, He promises that “these sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6).
We can have absolute confidence that all His promises will be fulfilled, and all His warnings must be heeded. May God help each of us also to be—like Christ and like His Word—faithful and true. Remember also that they that are truly “with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
TEST THE SPIRITS
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
The position of the Scripture is one that faces two extremes: The Spirit is essential, and experience is vital; however, truth and definition and doctrine and dogma are equally vital and essential. And our whole position is one that proclaims that experience that is not based solidly upon truth and doctrine is dangerous.
There is the necessity for testing and trying the spirits. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” Now some people object root and branch to this process of testing. There are many reasons for that, of course. In the case of some people it is nothing but slackness, indolence, and laziness, a desire for ease.
But there are those who feel that this whole process of testing and trying the spirits is unscriptural. According to such people, the moment you begin to discuss and consider and define, you cease to be a spiritual person. But my reply to this is that we must test and try the spirits because Scripture commands and exhorts us to do so, and for me that is enough. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits.”
Not only that, but Scripture tells us why we ought to do so: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Alas, there are false prophets; there are evil spirits; there is a devil who is so clever and subtle that he can transform himself into an angel of light. If we were confronted with the Holy Spirit only, there would be no need to test the spirits, but the very name “Holy Spirit” suggests other spirits, devilish spirits” and there are such powers.
A Thought to Ponder: We must test and try the spirits because Scripture commands and exhorts us to do so. (From The Love of God, pp. 18-20 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Companions in Christ
I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1:3
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is a decades-long project that’s resulted in a greater understanding of the importance of healthy relationships. The research began with a group of 268 sophomores at Harvard University in the 1930s and later expanded to, among others, 456 Boston inner-city residents. Researchers have conducted interviews with the participants and pored over their medical records every few years. They discovered that close relationships are the biggest factor in predicting happiness and health. It turns out that if we surround ourselves with the right people, we’ll likely experience a deeper sense of joy.
This appears to reflect what the apostle Paul is describing in Philippians 1. Writing from prison, Paul can’t help but tell his friends that he thanks God for them every time he remembers them, praying “with joy” (v. 4). But these aren’t just any friends; these are brothers and sisters in Jesus who “share in God’s grace,” partners in the gospel with Paul (v. 7). Their relationship was one of sharing and mutuality—a true fellowship shaped by God’s love and the gospel itself.
Yes, friends are important, but fellow companions in Christ are catalysts of a true and deep joy. The grace of God can bind us together like nothing else. And even through the darkest seasons of life, the joy that comes from that bond will last.
By Glenn Packiam, Our Daily Bread
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