Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
—Psalm 33:12
Key Verse Thought: After reading the key verse, understand that God
has promised to bless the nation who acknowledges God as supreme, and where the
people establish a relationship with Him. How can one
have a relationship with God? (i.e.:
first, ask Jesus in one’s heart; spend
time with Him; pray; read the Bible; obey God’s commands and encourage others
to obey Him as well; etc.) In this
lesson, we will see how God blessed the nation, Israel,
who made God the Lord of their nation – and obeyed Him!
Emphasis: Christians are to choose to obey God, doing what He wants
over what self wants, understanding that God will bless those who put God
first.
Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned that David prepared
greatly for the building of the Temple.
He declared that his son, Solomon, would succeed him as king, and Solomon would
build the house of the Lord. In this lesson, we will learn about Solomon as he
becomes king of Israel.
Solomon returned to the
tabernacle Moses had built in the wilderness and offered great sacrifices to
God. God came to Solomon that night, asking what he desired. Solomon took his
father’s advice and asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. God not only
promised him wisdom, but riches and fame as well.
Solomon immediately set
about to build the Temple for God.
Once it was completed (and the furnishings were made and placed inside), he had
the Ark of the Covenant brought into the Temple,
addressed the people, and prayed to God. When Solomon finished praying, God
answered his prayer by sending fire from heaven that consumed Solomon’s
sacrifice. The glory of the Lord so filled the Temple
that no one could enter. God then gave many promises, and warnings, to Solomon.
Solomon’s kingdom increased, and his fame extended. The Queen of Sheba heard of King Solomon and came to meet him herself. She recognized that God had given him this great wisdom. Solomon’s fame continued to spread, and many kings gave him great gifts – increasing his wealth.
Remember: The books of the Chronicles do not dwell upon the wrongdoings of the kings, but what good they accomplished for Judah.
If you are doing this with younger children, the following area craft ideas to go with this lesson:
We decorated a frame with the verse 2 Chronicles 7:14 in it to remind them of King Solomon’s prayer.This is another idea of a decorated frame with 2 Chronicles 7:14 in it to remind them of King Solomon’s prayer.
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Corinthians 8:12
Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet during the time of the final
five kings of Judah.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth
out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto
the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God called Jeremiah to be His prophet before
God even formed him in the womb. God had already sanctified him. Sanctified means “to pronounce clean; consecrated (set apart) to God.” The word ordained
means “putting forth a voice.” God
had set Jeremiah apart to serve Him by speaking God’s Words to the nations
(including us today).
However, like most people, Jeremiah’s initial response
when God called him was that he was inadequate (see Jeremiah 1:6). If you think
about it, most people feel quite inadequate when God calls upon them to do
something for Him. But keep in mind that God also knew you before you were
formed in the womb, and if God didn’t know you could do it, He wouldn’t have
asked.
God responded to Jeremiah much as He would probably respond to anyone who
thought they could not do what God called them to do. See what God said to
Jeremiah: “7. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for
thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou
shalt speak. 8. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to
deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched
my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth”
(Jeremiah 1:7-9). God not only encouraged Jeremiah that he could do what God
asked, but God put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth.
God told Jeremiah His plans. He was going to allow the enemy from the
north to enter into Jerusalem
because of the people’s continual wickedness and idolatry (see Jeremiah 1:15-16). Then God continued with amazing words
of encouragement. “17. Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and
speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I
confound thee before them. 18. For, behold, I have made thee this day a
defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against
the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof,
and against the people of the land. 19. And they shall fight against thee; but
they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD,
to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:17-19).
Did you see what God was going to do for Jeremiah? When Jeremiah spoke to the
people, God would make him like a “defenced city”, “an iron pillar”,
and “brasen walls” against the whole land. Jeremiah was not to be
troubled by the people’s response to God’s Words – for God would strengthen Jeremiah
to complete the task at hand. More importantly, the people would not prevail
against (triumph or overcome) Jeremiah – because God was with him!
There were many good things happening in the land of Judah when God called Jeremiah. However, the days were not always good. Jeremiah spoke for over forty years. The final four kings of Judah were terrible times! God called Jeremiah during those final years of Judah’s existence. During those years, God’s people were conquered, carried from the land of promise into captivity, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Temple burned. However, God never left Jeremiah.
As we just remembered, God knew Jeremiah before he was even born. He called, prepared, sent Jeremiah as a prophet for God and promised to be with him. Keep in mind, God will never give us anything to do that He will not help us complete. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Corinthians 8:12). God will be with us. We only have to trust Him (just like Jeremiah). God encouraged Jeremiah just as he had encouraged many before him by giving encouraging words when He called them to do something for Him. Think back to Moses. Moses did not think he could do what God asked, yet read God’s response in Exodus 4:10-12. Remember the encouraging words given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6). And to Joshua when he was to lead God’s people. “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Even today, we are encouraged to trust God. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). As we found out, that was what God expected of Jeremiah.
Do you have a willing mind, recognizing God will help you do what He asks?
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
—2 Corinthians 9:7
Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. Understand the key verse
with the following definitions:
purposeth means to prefer, choose, or intend for oneself; to resolve
grudgingly means in grief or sorrow
necessity means compelling force as opposed to willingness
loveth means to love, or regard with strong affection
cheerful means joyous, happy, or glad
In this lesson, we will
learn that David gave of his time and substance to prepare for the house of the
Lord.
Emphasis: We are to learn to want to please God with all of our
heart – just as King David did. We are also to understand that God forgives our
sin and still wants to use us to complete the work He has for us to do.
Lesson Summary: Today we will remember when David was moved to
number the people. We will learn that Satan was the one who stood up against Israel.
Satan is the enemy of God’s people, and he wants to destroy them. Through this
event, we will see David remember that God is a forgiving God. We will find out
the importance of Mount Moriah
(the threshing floor of Onan).
David had a burden to build
a permanent house for the Lord, and God revealed to David where the Temple
was to be built. God said David could not build that house, but promising that
David’s son, Solomon would be allowed to build it. Even though David would not
be the builder, he prepared for the Temple.
The first thing David did was anoint Solomon as the next king of Israel
(remember that God had told David that Solomon was to be the next king of Israel).
David then organized the people, gathered many supplies to build the Temple
(giving much of it himself), and made the plans for the Temple,
and instructed Solomon and the people of Israel.
David emphasized to the people the importance of completing the Temple
– and to make it such a magnificent building that all of the world would
recognize its glory.
David led by example when it
came time to bring gifts in preparation for the building of the Temple.
David was greatly pleased that he was able to give toward that building.
David’s praise turned into a prayer recognizing that God saw the intent of the
heart in wanting to give back to God with what He had abundantly blessed them.
Solomon then became king of Israel,
and God magnified Solomon greatly.
Remember: The books of the Chronicles do not dwell upon the wrongdoings of the kings, but what good they accomplished for Judah.
“23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
If you have ever read the book of Jeremiah, you understand
that the messages God gave Jeremiah to share were extremely difficult for him
to deliver. However, Jeremiah was always faithful – even when he was beaten,
imprisoned, and his fellowman rejected him. He willingly obeyed God’s command
to deliver His message calling Judah
to repent and return to God. Jeremiah had little, if any, hope of the
possibility of God’s people truly repenting and returning to God, yet he
faithfully delivered the messages God had. What courage!
There was one particularly interesting time God had him
speak. There was a nomadic people that lived among the Israelites called the
Rechabites (also known as the Kenites). They were descendants of Moses’
father-in-law, who had chosen to live among God’s people in tents. They
occasionally are mentioned as those who helped God’s people (see Jael in Judges
4 and Jehonadab with Jehu in 2 Kings
10). God sent Jeremiah to speak to these people, take to them to the
house of the Lord, and give them wine to drink. Jeremiah did what God told him
to do. Read their response. “6.
But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father
commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons
for ever: 7. Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard,
nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may
live many days in the land where ye be strangers. 8. Thus have we obeyed
the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged
us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; 9.
Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field,
nor seed: 10. But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according
to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.” (Jeremiah 35:6-10). What
was wrong with drinking the wine? They had made a commitment to their father
that they would not. They chose to obey their father, Jonadab. God had a point
He wanted to make to His people. “13.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to
my words? saith the LORD. 14. The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he
commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they
drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken
unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me”
(Jeremiah 35:13-14). God made a very good point. God commended the Rechabites
for their faithfulness to the command given to them by their father. Their
father had given commands, and his children obeyed. God had given the
Israelites commands, yet they had disregarded them. God reminded them He had
sent prophets to tell them. “… saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and
go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I
have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor
hearkened unto me” (Jeremiah 35:15b). God’s people did not listen.
They did not obey God’s command to return to Him. This family of Rechab had
willingly chosen to obey the words of their father, yet God’s people had
willingly chosen not to obey the words of God. The Rechabites were
destined to live as a nomadic people – without homes, farms, vineyards, or a
place to call home. Yet this people obeyed their earthly father. On the other
hand, God had given His people a land where they built homes, had farms and
vineyards, and a place to call their homeland. However, the Israelites did not
obey God. God blessed the Rechabites.
Because God’s people did not repent or choose to obey God, God allowed the enemy to destroy Jerusalem and take them captive. Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of his beloved city, and his people carried captive to a foreign land. Yet even through rejection and witnessing Jerusalem’s destruction and the people’s captivity, Jeremiah still mourned and prayed for his people. He even remained to encourage the few left in the land with God’s Words. Jeremiah understood something that had not even been written yet in his day: “23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Do you obey God’s Word heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men?
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
—Acts 13:22
Key Verse Thought: After learning of
King Saul’s death last week, we must remember that God removed Saul from being
king for his disobedience. We then read that God made David king. This verse
helps us understand why God chose David – for David wanted to please God with
all of his heart. In this lesson, we will see some ways David wanted to do
things God’s way – pleasing Him.
Emphasis: We are to learn that in order to please God we must learn
to seek God first. God demands obedience,
and then He blesses. Just as David sought after God’s heart, so too should we!
Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned that God removed the
kingdom from Saul and gave it to David. In this lesson, we begin to remember
King David. Once the people came together making David their king, he then sets
his eye upon Jerusalem – where the
Jebusites lived. David’s first act as king was to take Jerusalem
and make it the city of David.
God gave David many mighty
men who helped bring in David as the next king of Israel. Not only will we learn things about those
mighty men, but about the events that led David from being the king of two
tribes to the king of the entire nation of Israel.
We will then remember David’s failed attempt at bringing the Ark
of the Lord (Ark of the Covenant) by a new cart into Jerusalem.
The procession halted when Uzza was struck dead (for touching the Ark). David recognized God’s anger, became fearful
of God, and left the Ark of the
Lord at the home of Obededom.
Once the Philistines,
enemies of Israel,
heard that David was king, they came out against Israel.
Before entering into battle, David sought God. He obeyed God, and God gave
David victory over the enemy.
David learned (by seeking
God’s Word to find the answer) the proper way to bring the Ark
of the Lord into Jerusalem, and he
successfully brought it into the tent made specifically to house the Ark
of the Lord. This time it was brought into Jerusalem
with much rejoicing – in the order God demanded it be done. David organized the
priests and Levites in their different ministries in the house of the Lord, and
he even organized the music and the musicians that were to play before the
Lord.
David recognized that he
lived in a beautiful house, but the Lord’s house was only a tent. David wanted to build a house for the Lord. Instead,
God promised to build David an everlasting house (descendants to remain upon
the throne – ultimately leading to Jesus). We will see how God blessed David’s
kingdom when David sought to please God first. God allowed David’s kingdom to
be extended, and the enemies around defeated.
When King Nahash died, David wanted to show kindness to his son, Hanun. We will read what happened when that kindness was rejected. David continued to extend his kingdom, conquering the enemies around.
Remember: The books of the Chronicles do not dwell upon the wrongdoings of the kings, but what good they accomplished for Judah.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Many times in the Old Testament, we read of the promise of Jesus. No one
knew His name, yet God’s people were to be looking for Him the same. At times,
God revealed specific things He wanted the people to understand. “Behold, my
servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very
high” (Isaiah 52:13). “Behold, my servant” is speaking of Jesus. God
said Jesus would “deal prudently” meaning Jesus would succeed in
completing what God expected Him to do. Continuing through that verse, see that
it says that Jesus will be “exalted and extolled” which means “to raise, or lift up; to carry off; take
away; it is the idea of one who is a substitution bearing the guilt or
punishment of sin.” So just from that one verse we understand that God told
Isaiah that He would send Jesus who would complete the task of being lifted up
as the one who would take away the guilt and punishment of sin by becoming the
substitute – the one who took sinful man’s place. This is what God had promised
Adam and Eve in the garden (see Genesis 3:15).
They were to be aware of the suffering death that this One
would have to endure. Remember that when Jesus came, He was scourged and
delivered to be crucified (see Matthew 27:26, 29-30). Why did this happen? “So
shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that
which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not
heard shall they consider” (Isaiah 52:15). Understand that this verse tells
us that Jesus’ death would enable Him to “sprinkle” many nations. “Sprinkle many nations” means “to cleanse from sin; the Servant of the Lord came to make an atonement
for the sins of even the Gentiles.” In the Old Testament, the people
understood the high priest had to sprinkle the blood of the ram upon the altar
to cover their sins for another year (see Exodus 29:20). God sent His Son to take
away the sin (not cover), and allowed the entire world to “see” and then to
“consider.” “See” means “to gain understanding”;
and “consider” means “to observe; to pay
attention to; to gain insight or understanding.” Each person has to see and
decide (believe) for himself.
Immediately after Jesus death, burial, and resurrection, there were still
many who did not understand what had happened, and many did not believe Jesus
had even risen from the dead. There were two in particular who were on the road
to Emmaus, not far from Jerusalem.
On the evening of Jesus’ resurrection, they were walking and discussing all
they had heard. Jesus joined them, walking and talking with them, yet they did
not recognize Him (see Luke 24:15-16). When He asked what things they were
discussing, they explained, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth,
which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20.
And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to
death, and have crucified him. 21. But we trusted that it had been he which
should have redeemed Israel:
and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done”
(Luke 24:19b-21). They were trying to “consider” but did not yet understand. After
walking with them, listening to them as they continue their discussion, Jesus
responded: “25. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to
believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26. Ought not Christ to have
suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27. And beginning at Moses
and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27). They needed to believe, by faith. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth
on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness”
(Romans 4:5).
It is almost amazing to those today, who are Believers, to
understand how they could not have recognized Jesus. However, many times in the
Old Testament people should have understood and recognized what God was doing, yet
they most of the time, they did not. All throughout the Old Testament, the
people were taught of God, but they had a hard time understanding that He had
been speaking of Jesus, who was to come. They lacked faith.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). See the following to help understand what
this verse means:
preaching means to speak
intelligently about the word of the cross
cross means the whole passion
of Christ and the merit of His sufferings and death
them that perish means exposed
to eternal death
foolishness means foolishness
or absurdity
saved means those who have
obtained salvation through Christ and are kept by Him
power means a person in whom
the power of God is manifested
The “power of God” was revealed when Jesus came and finished what God had for Him to do. Jesus came to pay the penalty for sin, taking it away from any who would only believe.
Have you believed the preaching of the cross, becoming a Christian?
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.
—2 Peter 1:13
Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. Realize that tabernacle means “the body as a frail tenement of the soul” and
stir you up means “of the mind; to excite.” A good Bible
teacher’s job, as teachers (in our frailty), is to stir up students (excite
them) by putting them in remembrance (to help them remember the heroes of our
faith). We should be excited about learning of these great men and women in the
Bible. In this lesson, we will continue with our remembrance of some of the
people in the Old Testament – even learning of a few new people along the way.
Anyone who learns something
exciting from God’s Word can share it with someone else!
Emphasis: It is important to remember (with excitement) the people
and events of the Old Testament. Recognize God’s blessings upon those who
called out to Him, and especially those who sought God with the whole heart.
Lesson Summary: In this lesson, we continue our study of the genealogies
listed in the book of First Chronicles. While reading the descendants of David,
recognize the listing of the kings of Judah.
As we read through more of the genealogies, notice the interesting pieces of
information sandwiched into them – events that many overlook as they skip over
the seemingly boring, non-eventful, genealogies (as we discover how exciting
they can be!). We will also see where the rest of the sons of Judah
are listed. After that, time will be spent remembering the kings and their
lives in greater detail.
The first king of Israel was Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin. Remember again, why God removed the kingdom from his family and gave it to another – one who sought after God’s own heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22).
Remember: The Chronicles do not dwell upon the wrongdoings of the kings, but what good they accomplished for Judah.
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.”
—Philippians 3:1
Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. In this lesson, we will
remember many people we have studied before – ones we cannot forget!
Emphasis: We are to never tire of remembering God’s people, and
what He did for them (and does for us today)!
Lesson Summary: It is important, upon occasion, to take a minute
and stop to remember. In this lesson, as
we begin the book of 1 Chronicles, we can see it begins with the genealogy from
Adam – which is basically a time of remembering back to what God had done.
Oftentimes we find the genealogies mundane and boring. As we go through the
first chapter of 1 Chronicles, try to see the genealogy from a different
perspective. It can be fascinating if you are able to recognize names, which in
turn causes a remembering of great events in history. Be encouraged to look at
genealogies from this perspective. Now that we have studied many great men and
women in history, we should be able to read through these genealogies with much
fascination.
One important reason that
the books of the Chronicles were kept was to accurately record the lineage of
the Israelites – to reveal to mankind with great assurance that Jesus was the
rightful heir to the throne of David.
In our last quarter, we
focused on the kings of Israel,
the Northern Kingdom. As we continue our study, we will
focus on the kings of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. In these lessons, we will
look at the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings along with the additional information
about events and people that was not recorded in the records of the kings but
in the books of 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles. These bits of information will
be helpful in better understanding some events. The books of the Chronicles
help us consider the spiritual significance of these events. First Chronicles
begins with Adam and brings us to the kings of Judah.
Especially notice the same struggle mankind has fought since the beginning of
time: man’s choice. The choice is whether to obey God, or to choose not to obey
God. The choice one makes determines one’s
standing with God. See an example of man’s disobedience and obedience as
recorded in First Chronicles:
1. Disobedience brought
defeat and destruction: “13. So Saul died for his
transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word
of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one
that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; 14. And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and
turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
2. Obedience brought peace
and God’s blessing: “12. And they entered into a
covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with
all their soul; 13. That whosoever would not
seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether
man or woman. 14. And they sware unto the LORD
with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 15. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their
heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and
the LORD gave them rest round about” (1 Chronicles 15:12-15).
As we have learned and will continue to discover, faith in God, repentance, and seeking God with the whole heart (obedience) – not necessarily one’s genealogy – will determine one’s standing with God.
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8
The Gospel Message of Jesus is available to anyone who will
receive it. However, one must not only believe that message, it then must be
received into one’s heart and life by faith. “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word
preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it”
(Hebrews 4:2). When one does not believe, it does not profit
them. See why not: “Seeing therefore
it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first
preached entered not in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:6). We can
read in the next verse that there is a cry for one not to harden their heart
(so that faith can enter in). See how this is described: “12. Take heed,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing
from the living God. 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called
To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”
(Hebrews 3:12-13). One who rejects the Gospel message of Jesus has departed
from the living God in unbelief. There is no hope for such a one.
Remember, in the Old Testament God’s people were to obey and follow God,
waiting for Jesus to come.
One cannot help but remember back to the Bible and a very
real example of one without faith. His name was Saul, the first king of Israel.
He was physically, everything a people could want in a king. He was
good-looking, and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else did.
However, what kind of a man was Saul really?
In the administration of his kingdom, we find out that Saul
demanded obedience to his command. He even promised death to anyone who defied
his command. In one instance, it turned out to be his son, Jonathan, who had
unwillingly disobeyed his father’s command. When the king was prepared to kill
his son, the people stepped in and saved his life. Shortly thereafter, God
required King Saul’s obedience in a matter. But when Saul disobeyed God, God
did not demand his death. God is forgiving and although there was discipline
for disobedience, God gave him a second chance.
God told Saul to go and utterly destroy Amalek and everything
they had (for they were God’s enemies). He was even to kill the king. Saul
gathered the people and went to Amalek. They took the city. “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and
the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and
all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that
was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly” (1 Samuel
15:9). Saul did not obey God’s command. God declared that Saul had turned back
from following Him, and not performed His commandments. When confronted with
the truth of the matter, Saul lied. Read his response when questioned by
Samuel, God’s prophet. “20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed
the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have
brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21.
But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which
should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in
Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20-21). Did you notice that King Saul blamed
the people for his disobedience? Because of his disobedience to God this time,
God removed the kingdom from Saul and his family. Samuel told him that because
he had rejected the word of the Lord, God had also rejected him from being
king.
It was not until the punishment had been uttered that Saul
admitted his fault. “And Saul said
unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the
LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice”
(1 Samuel 15:24). Samuel completed
the job that Saul was to supposed do. Samuel killed the king of the Amalekites.
Shortly after that, God chose a man after His own heart,
David. Saul spent the rest of his kingdom not trying to please God, but trying
to destroy David. This caused his kingdom to become one mainly of defeat. We do
not hear of him seeking after God until right before he died in his last
battle. When the Philistine army gathered together against Israel
again, Saul gathered all of Israel
together. He was afraid. Saul wanted a word from God, but he did not receive
one: for God did not answer him (see 1 Samuel 28:6). Saul then searched and
found a woman who had a “familiar spirit” (means a necromancer or sorcerer; a
witch). Saul disguised himself, went by night, and found her. He sought the
world’s ways of seeking answers instead of waiting upon God.
We can understand that the main problem of Saul was that he
had no spiritual foundation on which to build a godly life. Sure, he was God’s
chosen man to be king of His people, but Saul never sought God or His wisdom
with all of his heart. When David came into Saul’s life, many of Saul’s
insufficiencies (his lack of faith and obedience to God) revealed themselves.
Saul openly became a double-minded man. He was a soldier pursuing David as if
he were Saul’s enemy one day, yet the next he would acknowledge that God was
with David. “A double minded man is
unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). We can recognize that Saul
had no faith.
Are you one with no faith, like Saul who departed from the living God in unbelief?
Or,
Have you received the Gospel Message of Jesus, by faith, into your heart and life?
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11
Do you read the Bible? Do you understand what you read when you do
take time to read it?
The Bible is the Word of God. It has been preserved for us to
read, but very few people read and understand what the Bible has to say to us
today. According to most statistics,
young people are growing up and leaving the church and faith in God by the
droves. The main reason can be found in the lack of knowledge and understanding
of what one believes about God and why. Not many people take time to gain the
information only found in the Bible that one needs to live in today’s world.
Growing up in a Christian home is no guarantee that one
understands the Bible, or knows how to live a Christian life. Being saved as a
young child, I learned many Bible “stories,” but it wasn’t until later that I
began to understand how all of these stories fit together. When I saw a timeline
throughout Bible history, it helped me begin to understand how all of those
“stories” were connected together. I also began to understand that Jesus was
planned from the beginning of time to redeem mankind because of sin. I wanted
to know and understand more of the Bible, so I began to study.
The most important thing about studying the Bible should be
to learn the basics of the Bible and how it should be applied to Christians’
lives. A good Bible study needs to be more than a compilation of “stories” we
have always heard. The word “story” even brings to the hearers’ mind that they
are make-believe. Many people do not even understand that the Bible is not just
a compilation of popular Bible “stories” or favorite Bible passages. The Bible
is not full of “stories” but actual events in real people’s
lives. Children, as
well as adults, need to understand that each of these events all fit
together as part of a bigger picture – much like pieces of a puzzle. Not only do these events interlock, but
they also have a purpose: to reveal Jesus and why He came.
It is very important to read God’s Word and be in a good Bible study where you can learn more about Jesus. One important goal each Christian should have is to know and understand more about the Bible. The more you learn about the Bible, the more you begin to understand that it is so much more than just a collection of events in people’s lives that lived long ago. In the Bible Study called The Biblical Path of Life, you can search and find out why the people who lived in the Old Testament times wanted to obey God. You can learn how they knew He would one day send Jesus. It is there one can see what happened to His people when they obeyed God’s Word, and even what happened when they forgot God’s Word. As you read the New Testament, you begin to recognize when people began to understand that Jesus was the One who was to come (the one promised in the Old Testament). These events will be an encouragement to you, for it is then that one can understand God is with those who love Him, seek to please Him, and that God takes care of His people. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). It is then that one begins to understand how to live a Christian life pleasing to God in the world today. The Bible means nothing to us if we do not apply the principles within to our lives to become more like Christ.
All people, especially children, are capable of learning so much more. The Biblical Path of Life is one such study meant to simplify the understanding of the Bible making it relevant to a Christian’s life — young or old — by comparing Scripture to Scripture. Christians should understand just how important their Bible is and become familiar with it. Everyone should understand the importance of reading God’s Word!
Even beginning readers should be encouraged to read their
Bible. At first, even the youngest readers will be hesitant to read.
Nevertheless, with a little encouragement and help, they can become excited
about reading their Bible. No one is too young (or old) to begin to love the
Word of God or to learn the principles found within God’s Word!
In order to encourage people to know more of the Bible, I have posted blogs to motivate people to dig a little deeper into their Bible’s and study. Feedspot has recognized www.biblicalpath.com as one of the top 100 Bible Study Blogs. My hope is that by being listed here, many more people will be encouraged to read and understand what God’s Word has for people who are searching in these days.
Do you take time to read your Bible, discovering God’s plan in these days?
