Short Reflection from 1 Kings 1-22

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[8:18 pm, 12/06/2022] S.R: 𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙:𝟜𝟡

"Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified; and they arose and each went on his way."

Hopefully, we don't follow a presumptuous leader and end up like this!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟚:𝟚𝟘

“Then she said, ‘I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me.’ And the king said to her, ‘Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.’”

But he did refuse! Wisdom is more important.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟛:𝟙

"Then Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem."

It wasn't right nor wise for him to marry the heathen, yet God still answered his prayer. God indeed is more merciful and forgiving and loving than we can ever imagine. But don't test God in sin! Sin always has consequences.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟜:𝟚𝟝

"So Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon."

When the leader was good, wise, and powerful, the kingdom prospered.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝟝:𝟙𝟚

"The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant."

When there were war and conquest, the king because of God's blessing could even have a good business deal with others and build the temple!

Seek God's wisdom!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟞:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟚

"Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon saying, ‘Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father.’"

Indeed, what good is the magnificent temple if God is not in it? What good is any church if Jesus is not her head? What good is mission organization and strategy if the Lord is not with it?

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟟:𝟜𝟟

"Solomon left all the utensils unweighed, because they were too many; the weight of the bronze could not be ascertained."

When we think and talk and compare riches of wealth, remember King Solomon. He didn't even ask for it btw!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟠:𝟚𝟟

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!"

Indeed, God is bigger than anything we can give Him. No praise, no worship, no offering, nothing is too much for God.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟡:𝟞-𝟟

"But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples."

The God of the Bible hardly reveals anything without a word of warning! Preachers do well to proclaim the word of God with a warning!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟛-𝟚𝟜

"So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart."

This is what God does for whomever He pleases to bless. May God be our strength, refuge, and joy!

 

[1:01 pm, 26/07/2022] S.R: 𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟙:𝟙𝟜

"Then the LORD raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of the royal line in Edom."

God raised up adversaries for King Solomon when he went astray. There's a promise of grace when we walk with the Lord, but the way of transgression is hard. Btw, for those who are beloved of God, even adversaries and hard things in life are chastisements to come back to God and enjoy life. It's not a punishment to harm us or to humiliate us.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟘

""The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!' But you shall speak to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's loins!'""

Guys, if you are still young (below 40) there's not much wisdom among your friends. Maybe they really want your downfall too in envy. Be prudent to take counsel from your elders.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟠

"He said to him, "I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.'" But he lied to him."

People can lie in the name of God. Yeah, even those who are pastors. And yes, they can deceive anyone easily. Yeah, they can deceive even the pastors and those who are scripturally knowledgeable. That's why we need to walk with God all the time, which includes praying, trusting, delighting in God.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟜:𝟛

"Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy."

Jeroboam knew the goodness of God. That's why he sent his wife to the man of God. This knowledge, assurance he had was given by the Lord to fear (honor) God and lead him to repentance, but he kept it to excuse himself and to keep sinning against God.

The worst atheist, the person who complained the most against God knows that God is good, at least good enough to tolerate him to even hate God.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟜

"But the high places were not taken away; nevertheless the heart of Asa was wholly devoted to the LORD all his days."

There are certain things we cannot purge completely in this dispensation of God on earth. In the new heaven and earth, it shall be purged completely.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟜

"In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun."

Jericho wasn't meant to be set up again. But there will be people who always want to go against God in the most unnatural way. They shall pay the price.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟞

"The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah."

What a great confirmation of God's Providence! Trusting God to provide for our needs is one of the greatest and the constant struggles of all Christians. We need to remind ourselves of this verse again and again!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟠:𝟛

"Ahab called Obadiah who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly)"

A powerful wicked king Ahab has someone working under him who is a servant of God. Indeed, God is more powerful than him.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟞

"Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again."

Humans are weak. The disciples of Jesus found themselves sleeping again in the garden of Gethsemane. Elijah was lying down again. He has to be woken up. Are we sleeping again?

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟚𝟘:𝟜𝟚

"He said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.'""

The king should not extend a friendship over such a wicked king. Toleration of wicked people or things is evil.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟚𝟙:𝟛

"But Naboth said to Ahab, ‘The LORD forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.’"

Look at his courage to stand up against the king. Of course, it costed him his life, but still, then, the Lord required vengeance for his blood!

Fear God and you shall not fear any man.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟚𝟚:𝟚𝟛

"Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you."

If we associate with compromised people, they will hurt us too. The mafia, gangster understood that very well, btw!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1Kings 12-22

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟚𝟞-𝟚𝟟

"Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah."

To retain power, Jeroboam chose to apostatize. Watch out for politicians, DC, police, etc. who do the same thing!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟛𝟘-𝟛𝟙

"He laid his body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, "Alas, my brother!"  After he had buried him, he spoke to his sons, saying, "When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones."

The old prophet killed him with his lies. Why did he lie? Because he didn't believe his prophecy? Because he wanted to build some reputation for himself? Whatever, it is clear that he was a deceiver.

However, he wept and confirmed that the prophecy will surely happen. Indeed, two signs authenticating the certainty of this prophecy against apostasy. God is really angry to the point of killing his prophet to make a point.

And if God killed His prophet for a lack of discernment, what hope was there for the Israelites who deliberately sinned against God?

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟛

"All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam's family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam."

Wow, the only good one in the family of Jeroboam was this child, Abijah, and God chose to take him away (kill him).

Death could be sometimes a judgment or blessing to others. In this case, it's a judgment for the family, and the blessing for Abijah! That he wouldn't see the wickedness and the sufferings of his family dynasty.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟝

"Because David did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite."

David is the most perfect human ruler ever. That's why Messiah is called the Son of David, the Davidic King. Well, David is not a perfect guy. But God is kinder than man. God is more forgiving than man. Once, David himself preferred to suffer in the hands of God than in the hands of a man! Yahweh is a forgiving God, Satan is an accusing Devil. Satan is malevolent, God is benevolent.

That's what God sees of us too. He is more forgiving, more merciful, kinder, gentler than man. What an amazing God! He evaluates our life!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟙

"It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him."

Some people dared to sin shamelessly, proudly, and publicly as if it was a virtue.

When sin is not dealt with, it multiplies and sears the conscience of many!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟚

"But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die."

About to die of starvation both herself and her child. The last meal, yet she gave it to Elijah because of the God of Elijah! It turned out to be trading the last meal for a never-ending supply.

The Gospel's offer is the same:  Trading our short life in this corrupt world for the eternal life in the celestial city!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟙𝟠:𝟜𝟛

"He said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go back" seven times."

Elijah was in front of an angry king. Ahab was furious with Elijah for withholding rain. Then God promised rain, and Elijah prayed. His prayer, still, was not realized. What a terrible situation that must have been?

Ahab, Elijah, and the servant waiting for the sign of rain. His servant walking up and down seven times. Not 2 times or 3.

#Patience. #Learn to wait. #Importune prayer. #Trust.

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟜

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."

Elijah wanted to die and prayed for it. God made him livelier and more energetic than ever seen before. He ate only a bread cake and was able to walk forty days and night journey!

God has a way of surprising His saints!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟛𝟚-𝟛𝟛

"So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, "Your servant Ben-hadad says, 'Please let me live.'" And he said, "Is he still alive? He is my brother." Now the men took this as an omen, and quickly catching his word said, "Your brother Ben-hadad." Then he said, "Go, bring him." Then Ben-hadad came out to him, and he took him up into the chariot."

Trying to be kinder, gentler, more loving, and [more] ‘good’ than God; and you shall perish!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟙:𝟙𝟡

"You shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "Have you murdered and also taken possession?"' And you shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours."'"

What Ahab did was similar to what David did. God sent a prophet to confront them. And God relented from bringing utter destruction in their lifetime seeing them humbling before God.

Let's humble before God. Oh, how often are we covetous of others' success or possession!

 

𝟙 𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕊 𝟚𝟚:𝟠

"The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." But Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say so.’"

People do wrong things not because they don't know the right things but because they don't want to do the right things in the right ways!

In doing so, they condemn themselves that they are guilty.

Another plain example. Everyone knows that if we work hard, we will get a good result in any exam; but we don't want to work hard, and try to get by other means –cheating, bribery, stealing, depending on luck, etc...