1 Kings 20-22

The story of Naboth is a biblical paragon for injustice, as it exemplifies how the powerful take advantage of the weak to add to their wealth.

It has all the features that are typical of such instances. The actions are done “legally” because Ahab is in the power of the state; he is justified, so the victims may not even be able to make a case for their deprivation being unjust. Naboth is vilified as being an enemy of the state (21:13), which he is in that he has resisted the desires of the king. The leaders of the community can justify their actions as being loyal to their king (21:11), for they receive their instructions from the palace. 

The witnesses are described as “scoundrels” (NIV), sons of beliyyaʿal, malicious individuals who “swallow up” others. As a society becomes corrupt because of oppressive leaders, there is increased opportunity for such individuals to ply their trade. 

Jezebel can escape legal consequences for murder and appropriation of property by acting through corrupt judges, but she cannot escape the judgment of the Owner who gave the land to Israel. Yahweh commissions Elijah to confront Ahab in Naboth’s vineyard. 

Justice is not a simple matter. The lesson is that power corrupts, and that absolute power corrupts absolutely; but especially that God checks that power and calls it to account. If divine judgment seems slow in coming, wait; the announcement may have been designed for a generation still to come.

Author: Pastor Mike

1 Kings 17-19

“How do you write a short blog about today’s reading!!!??? 

Today I just feel the need to remind us of a few points: 

• The story of the widow reminds me that God has not forgotten any of us and sees the circumstances that we are in. He does not ignore them but sends His provision/Word in the exact timing that is needed. His grace surrounds us. 

• The raising of the son reminds me that faith pleases God and He responds to His children’s cry. James reminds us that Elijah was just like us. What is too complicated/big/small/insignificant for our God? Elijah reminds us that the answer is nothing. 

• The showdown on Mt. Carmel reminds me that YHWH is alone God. We need nothing else to supplement Him. Elijah’s question to Israel is deafening, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” Are we wavering in our allegiances? Have circumstances skewed our view and loyalty to God? 

• The broom tree reminds me that life/work/ministry/(fill in the blank) can drain us but that God restores His people. Many of us have been at the end of our ropes. We have reached our limit; exhausted, broken, and finished. But God longs to restore and strengthen us. His Word is life. His Spirit is power. He did not abandon Elijah to die underneath a tree in the wilderness nor will He abandon you in your weakest moment. 

• The amazing scene at Mt. Horeb reminds me that God is in the whisper. He longs for the deep relationship with us. Through all the noise and terror that surround us, God is still speaking to His people. Are we listening to Him or are we distracted by the wind, earth, and fire — the noise of life? 

• The calling of Elisha reminds me that the future is bright because God is calling the generations under us. We must invest in the future by investing in the younger generation. If we truly believe God is in control we will respond by blessing and mentoring those who are coming behind us and not by suppressing and manipulating them. 

May God remind you today of His Word…”

Author: Pastor Nik

1 Kings 13-16

Legacies 

And so begins two legacies, two pieces of ‘The Thread’ begin to appear in the annals of the kings of Israel/Judah. 

Their summaries are striking in today’s reading (read them slowly):

• Of Jeroboam: 14:9 “…You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back.”
• Of David: 15:5  For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not failed to keep any of the LORD’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

As we read through the kings of Israel and Judah, two phrases will appear. Begin to watch for them: “he walked in the ways/sins of Jeroboam” and “for the sake of David.”  Why is Jeroboam mentioned over 100x in the Old Testament?  Because of legacy. Why is David hailed as the greatest of Israel’s kings? Because of legacy. 

God’s angst with Jeroboam is heard when his wife disguises herself to go seek help from the prophet Ahijah. In bringing judgment upon Solomon’s reign, God had divided the kingdom and given Jeroboam the reign of 10 of the 12 tribes! Blessing, prosperity, potential for spiritual reform were all at Jeroboam’s fingertips. Yet, God drew this distinction in rebuking Jeroboam via his wife that day: “…but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.”

We will see in our reading this week that Jeroboam’s sins do not only impact his life, but the legacy of kings for generations to come. David, though not perfect, lived devoted to the Lord in a way that God blesses for centuries to come…a key piece of our Thread! 

My how we impact lives with our lives, generations with our own generation. Our ‘little’ lives may seem so insignificant compared to reading the lives of kings today.  Yet, I recognize how my life has been affected by those who came before me.  How about you today?  Consider your legacy. What might be a summary of the next couple of generations when they speak of you. 

Oh how God longs for those who serve him wholeheartedly! 

Have a good Monday.

Author: Pastor Jeff

1 King 7-8

The key is in the back story!   For some time after reading chapter seven, I remained fixated on Solomon’s extravagance in building his own palace.   By just focusing on the immediate verses, it seemed very excessive.

 And then I remembered.  Track back to when God spoke to Solomon in chapter three.

 God spoke with a question,   “What can I give you? Ask.” 

 The Message gives Solomon’s response very vividly:

 I’m too young for this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes…Here’s what I want…

 And he asked for wisdom.   Yes, wisdom to lead Israel well.

 God was so pleased that he promised Solomon the wealth and glory which he could have asked for…but didn’t.

 Chapter seven draws an incredible word picture of God fulfilling that abundant promise to Solomon about wealth and glory.

 And chapter eight, from beginning to end, is a powerful testimony about Solomon.  His kingship, his incredible wisdom,  his riches,  and glory … none of these things changed Solomon, modified his commitment, or impacted his conduct.

 In chapter eight, we interact with Solomon on Dedication Day for the Temple of the God of Israel.  Listen to the inspiring words of Solomon.  Hear him worship.  Hear him affirm and reaffirm his faith in Jehovah God.  Her him lead his people in prayer.   Read how he led his subjects in two solid weeks of praise – not to himself or his wisdom – praise to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and praise to his father David.

 No wonder Israel went home happy that day – the nation was in the hands of a man of God.  

 Do we allow choices, circumstances, and changes to modify our love for God and our commitment to Him?  God, help us to stand solid, immovable, a rock in our firm commitment to you, regardless of our surroundings, good or bad!  Amen!

Author: Pastor Don

1 Kings 3-6

Thank you for taking time to read this devotion today, and I want to thank you for encouraging us along this journey. 

 Solomon asks for wisdom. The “wisdom” that Solomon requested in the dream was a pragmatic skill for managing his autocratic administration, but in the course of time it stimulated also the development of the tradition that he was the wise man par excellence, encyclopedic in his knowledge and unparalleled in his perception of the truth.

But this is incidental. To find the passage’s most central witness, the reader should carefully study the structure story. This structure is dramatic in its simplicity: God offers, Solomon responds; God replies, Solomon worships.

What does God offer, and how does he make his offer? “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” God’s giving will correspond to Solomon’s asking. There are no limits except those that our own faith imposes. Solomon can never ask more than God is willing to give. 

Yet if God is to give, Solomon must ask, and he will be tested by what he asks for. Our requests reveal what sort of persons we are, and Solomon’s request for a “discerning heart” showed that he was ready to receive all that God could offer. Thus the request is for no miracle, but for that rare gift of relating perceptively to people in their strivings, helping them identify the good and evil in every situation and encouraging them always to choose the good.

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked this. The Lord is pleased when you ask this. Wisdom is not simply ability to make right decisions or intelligence to know all the right things. Wisdom begins with the choice of learning to trust God; God in turn makes provision for peace and prosperity.

Author: Pastor Mike

1 Kings 1-2

 “Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself saying, ‘I will be king.’” 

 This is the phrase that stayed with me all morning. Solomon was chosen to follow David, yet Adonijah exalted himself and took matters into his own hands. It eventually cost him everything, his life included. 

 Isn’t this the way of human beings? Our selfish nature is fiercely focused on one thing: me. My wants; my desires; my ways; my timing; my (you fill in the blank). We want control. We want the power and prestige. We want fame and glory. We want our names rolling off the lips of other people. We exalt ourselves higher than we deserve. 

 We do this in regards to the Kingdom too. Sometimes we think we can do a better, more efficient job than King Jesus. Sometimes we think we should be in charge. Sure, we may not say that verbally but our actions, thoughts, and tendencies may acknowledge otherwise. 

 Adonijah’s story reminds me today to not try and be somebody I’m not, particularly a King. I’m called to submit to Christ. I’m called to be last; to serve and imitate Christ. My life is not about me but about Him and His Kingdom. My kingdom is a part of the problem. Thank God the cross, resurrection, and ascension have usurped my kingdom and established the proper one. 

 So let us exalt the only one worthy of exaltation today: Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

 Author: Pastor Nik