Reflections
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 40
K I n g s .. The Divided Kingdoms
Elijah is rewarded 1
“Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to enquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?”. What an interesting question to begin our ‘reflection’ today. And, as a timely lesson, it offers us a chance to check our own reaction when faced with important issues of life. To whom, or to what, do we turn for guidance when we are troubled, or uncertain? King Ahaziah of Israel had an accident, so he wanted to know if he would recover. It is indeed an interesting story (ch.1) in which God powerfully demonstrated His own authority in the person of Elijah, albeit resulting in the death of over one hundred men who had been sent by the king Ahaziah to summon Elijah to appear before him. It also ended with the king not recovering from his injuries. So he died, and Jehoram became the ninth king of Israel in his place. It seems strange, but factual, that at the same time that Jehoram became king of Israel (replacing Ahaziah), another Jehoram ascended to the throne of Judah, replacing his father Jehoshaphat, a good king who ‘fell short’ by entering into an alliance with Ahaziah of Israel. It is also the case that the Jehoram of Judah had been closely trained for the position by Jehoshaphat in anticipation of trouble with other sons after his days. So it was that both northern and southern kingdoms were ruled by men of the same name, and both were described in the scriptures as ‘bad kings’ because they led their people in the ways of idolatrous worship.
Elijah had received foreknowledge, from God, that he was about to leave this earth. Because we have the privilege of historical knowledge, and know the story, it amazes me that there are still many things about Elijah which we do not really know, and much has been studied and speculated by experts up until this very day. We know where he lived, but we do not know where or when he was born (or even if he was naturally born !). We know what he did, and where he ministered. And we know that he was fiercely opposed to idolatrous worship of the Baal’s. We also know is that he received a great reward from God at the end of his ministry, the like of which was only given to one other before him. Both he and Enoch are exceptions to the truth of Hebrews 9:27. From all that, there are some who postulate that Elijah was an earthly embodiment of an angel of God sent here for a specific task. And finally, the very last verses of the Hebrew Scriptures in our Bible today prophesy that Elijah will return to this earth “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5,6) It certainly strikes me as significant that that is precisely the mission Elijah was assigned by God in relation to the northern kingdom of Israel, whose hearts had turned to the idolatrous worship of ‘other gods’, which their forefathers had covenanted to not do. A final observation, still very much alive today, but unknown to an overwhelming majority of christian believers. At Passover each year, every Jewish family seder includes a special cup of wine on their table, set there in faithful expectation of the appearance of the prophet Elijah who will announce the coming of the Messiah. And a tradition is that after the drinking of the third cup of wine, the cup of salvation, a child is sent to open the front door of the house to welcome Elijah, should he appear.
Elisha had become a constant companion, and assistant, to Elijah. However, having been forewarned about his imminent departure from this earth, Elijah sought to distance himself from Elisha, who would have none of it ! So it was that Elijah asked Elisha “What may I do for you, before. I am taken away from you?” It seems that Elisha was prepared for that question because he immediately answered “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me”. It was not in Elijah’s power to grant such a thing, but in faith Elijah said the if Elisha witnessed his departure from him, it might, or might not be given to him. Suddenly, as they were talking, “a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, And Elisha saw it …”. Elisha picked up the mantle which had fallen from Elijah and returned to the River Jordan, for they were on the eastern side of it. “Then he took the mantle of Elijah … and struck the water with it (as he had seen Elijah do) and said ‘Where is the God of Elijah?’. And when he had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.” Thus it was, that Elisha, and all the prophets, knew that ‘the spirit of Elijah now rested on Elisha”.
The prophets persuaded Elisha that they should search for the body of Elijah in case the whirlwind had deposited his body somewhere, so they could bury him. His body was not found. Then the LORD blessed Elisha with miraculous power to turn ‘a spring of bad water into good water.’ Then he journeyed on through Judah to Bethel and on to Samaria. At this time, due to the ‘co-regency’ of Jehoshaphat and Jehoram in Judah, there may be confusion about the alliance between Judah and Israel and the king of Moab (who seemingly reneged on his promises) when Elisha was called upon to make a prophecy regarding that conflict. Elisha famously advised that the valley be filled with ditches, miraculously the ditches filled with water, and when viewed from the east at dawn the next day, caused the king of Moab to see what he perceived to be pools of blood of his enemies. The end of that was the defeat of the Moabites and further enhancement of the status of Elisha as the one chosen by God to take His message to the people of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 39
K I n g s .. the divided Kingdom
Elijah ministry continues 1
“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all (450) prophets (of Baal) with the sword”. The domineering Jezebel was not pleased! She sent a message to Elijah threatening his life. It may surprise some to know that in spite of his confidence in God, Elijah took this threat very seriously and ‘ran for his life’ to Beersheba, in Judea (about 200 Km south of Mt Carmel). He then journeyed for a further day south into the Negev desert. While he slept, an angel woke him twice, miraculously providing food and water each time. He survived on the strength of that food for a further 40 days as he journeyed to a safe haven in a cave on Mt. Horeb, in the Sinai desert (about 600 Km south of Mt Carmel). As he rested there, exhausted, the LORD questioned him, (Elijah, thought he was the only one left who truely worshipped the LORD). He was told to go out onto the mountain and there the LORD spoke to him in that "still, small voice”, telling him to return to the north, with instructions about who he should meet and what he should do.
Three tasks lay before him. 1. He was to anoint Hazael king of Syria. 2. He was to anoint Jehu king of Israel (bear in mind that Ahab was still in power, and very much in control). 3. He was to anoint Elisha as prophet to eventually replace himself. It is probably true that Elijah, that faithful servant of the LORD, would have little knowledge of WHY he was given these tasks, but each one had a place in God’s plan to bring about the destruction of Baal worship by the Israelites. A destruction which was begun by Elijah on Mt Carmel. Interestingly, Elisha was the first one Elijah met, he was plowing a field at the time. A farmer. Elijah threw his coat onto Elisha as he was plowing, and from that moment Elisha took up the role as Elijah’s assistant. Only God Almighty could orchestrate such an encounter. This illustrates an important lesson for those willing to learn. When God speaks, and He does in various ways to those He has called to Himself, be diligent and obedient to that call. If one is unsure, do not proceed until God confirms, maybe through a trusted friend and believer, or directly through His word, the task you believe He has assigned to you. Elijah was given a ‘long apprenticeship’ in trusting the call of God.
The first task the LORD assigned to Elijah, anointing Hazael as king of Syria (2 Kings 8:13) would be accomplished much later, by Elisha when he had replaced Elijah as the LORD’s messenger. In the same manner, the task of anointing Jehu king of Israel (2 Kings 9:3) was also left for Elisha to perform.
There is are some important observations to be made here. As we continue with this ‘reflection’ some might think that God changed His mind about the tasks assigned to Elijah. However, we must remember that God’s timing is never wrong, but it does not always accord with man’s timing. Also, as we will discover later, when God spectacularly took Elijah from this earth, a double portion of the spirit with which God had anointed Elijah, was passed on to his assistant, Elisha. But it required faithful obedience on Elijah’s part to bring it all to fruition.
We have noted that king Ahab of Israel, aided and abetted by his domineering wife Jezebal, had encouraged the people into gross idolatry. At the same time, due to Israel’s proximity to Syria, there was much animosity between them. King Ben-Hadad raided Israel, but was captured. Instead of taking his life Ahab chose to make a peace treaty with Ben-Hadad, For that compromise, God sent a man to Ahab to prophecy that he would lose his life in place of the Syrian. But that would come later. Ahab resumed his treachery, strongly led by his wife Jezebel, when he coveted, and took possession of the land of his neighbour Naboth. It was at this point that Elijah again confronted Ahab with the words “You have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD. Behold I will bring calamity on you.” This brought about a temporary period of change in Ahab, which in turn caused the LORD to delay His judgement on him. Then followed three years of peace between Israel and Syria.
During this time of peace, Ahab’s thoughts turned to recovery of the Levitical city of Ramoth in Gilead, that had been part of Israel, on the east of the Jordan River. He sought the help of king Jehoshaphat of Judah. Jehoshaphat agreed to assist him, subject to going the approval of the LORD via His prophet. The prophets of the north immediately concurred that the land would be returned in battle. Jehoshaphat was unconvinced, and a prophet of the LORD, Micaiah by name, was called. Now Ahab didn’t regard him very highly because “he would not prophecy good things about me, but evil.” In the event, Micaiah at first, sarcastically, went along with the false prophets, knowing that the LORD had allowed a lying spirit to enter the false prophets as they spoke of a resounding victory for Ahab. Then Micaiah spoke up and exposed the fact that a lying spirit had entered these false prophets, and far from victory, they would be defeated. Thus it was that Ahab was killed in that battle, and Ahaziah, his son reigned in his place, and he too “did evil in the sight of the LORD”.
Jehoshaphat continued, like his father Asa before him, leading the people of Judah righteously for a further 5 or so years after Ahab died. “Never-the-less the high places were not taken away, for the people (continued to) offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places”.
Then he died and his son Jehoram reigned in his place.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 38
K i n g s .. the divided Kingdom
Elijah sent by God 1
Asa was king in Judah, doing good things to return the nation to righteous living and honouring God. At the same time he was faced with a number of leadership changes which took place in Israel (northern kingdom). At no time was there harmony between these divided kingdoms. In a relatively short period of time, when Asa was king in Judah, Israel was led by eight different kings. Typical of the comment about these kings of Israel is that made about Omri, the seventh king. “Omri did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all who were before him”. It is worthy of comment that it is NOT what is “right in our own eyes” that matters. Moses chastised the Israelites for that in Deuteronomy 12:8. And in the days of the Judges, when there was no king, we are told the same thing about the lifestyle of the Israelites (Judges 17:6 and 21:25). The lesson here is that God has laid down His standard for living righteously. And it is against that standard that we will all one day be judged (Hebrews 9:27 ‘the first’ and Rev 20:12 ‘the second’ and final death). And what I read in my Bible says that the people on whom we are ‘reflecting’ today will face judgement by a righteous God in the same way as those of us living today. Selah.
After Omri, his son Ahab became king for the next 21 years. I speculate of course, but it seems to me that when Ahab took leadership of Israel, God said “enough”. Ahab was a bad, bad, man. “Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who went before him”. His father, Omri, held the previous record, but Ahab exceeded him in leading the people into idolatry and unrighteousness. Just as king Solomon, and later king Abijah of Judah had done, Ahab too married a Phoenician princess. Her name was Jezebel. Of the Sidonians of Phoenecia it is written “In character they were careless, idolatrous, superstitious, wicked and unpenitent.” It is also true that Jezebel was a dominant, if not domineering, woman. It is from this trait that we have the depiction of a “Jezebel spirit”, applied today as an unflattering description of some women. But it was the combination of Ahab and Jezebel that caused God to bring the prophet Elijah from his home in Gilead, east of the Jordan River, in what is today the southern end of the Golan Heights, to the Brook Cherith, where the LORD cared for him miraculously during a long drought in that land. See map for location details of the area of our ‘reflection’. This was obviously a time of training for Elijah for the onerous task the LORD had for him to accomplish regarding the unpenitent, cruel, idolatrous king Ahab and his domineering wife Jezebel. Elijah was placed in a situation in which he was totally dependant on the LORD for his survival. It is very difficult to think of a modern day parallel situation, but perhaps the cruelty of the holocaust might provide some, where God used human agency rather than birds to keep people alive.
The LORD then directed Elijah to go the town of Zarephath, in northern Phoenicia. The story is well known. Again, with miraculous power, the Lord preserved Elijah, as well as a poor widow and her son, during the balance of the debilitating drought in that land. Not only that, but the LORD also demonstrated His mighty power by showing Elijah that whenever he called upon the LORD, He listened to him, and granted the desire of his heart. In the case in point, restoring the life of the widow’s son. Elijah was now ready to face his biggest challenge. In the third year of the drought, God arranged for Elijah to meet with Obadiah, a faithful servant of God who worked in the household of Ahab. “Go tell your master that ‘Elijah is here’.” was Elijah’s command. Poor Obadiah was terrified for his life at the prospect. However, the message was conveyed to Ahab and he met with Elijah that very same day.
Ahab charged Elijah with ‘troublemaking’. Elijah’s unambiguous response was direct. “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your fathers house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.” Then Elijah boldly directed Ahab to gather the people and the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel. The events which followed are described in detail (ch 18:20-40). Please read it and be amazed at the confidence and boldness of the challenge that Elijah placed before the people that day. He preceded that challenge with a demand, which the people judged to be fair. “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” Then Elijah told the people that a simple test was to be applied. Two altars of sacrifice were to be built, and each side would call on their God to consume that sacrifice with fire. The true God would so do. So all the people answered and said “It is well spoken”. Most people who ever attended a Sunday school would be familiar with the details and the result. BUT, there is an important lesson here for us today.
We live in times, almost 3,000 years later, when we are faced with an almost identical challenge. “How long will you falter between two opinions?”. Our Bible has been faithfully preserved with demonstrations of God’s awesome power and might, as demonstrated in our ‘reflection’. He has consistently maintained the covenant He made with the Israelites. Gentiles are welcomed to participate (Romans 11). 2,000 years ago, He sent our Saviour Yeshua. He posed a simple question to His followers. “Who do YOU say that I am? (Matt 16:15). What is your answer? There is no ‘sitting on the fence’ option.
Shabbat Shalom
RS.
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REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 37
K I n g s .. The divided Kingdom 1
Jeroboam, had set up TWO places of worship, one in Bethel and one in Dan, (complete with altar of sacrifice and an idolatrous golden calf). He also set up a pseudo priesthood to conduct the rituals of worship, but they were not of the tribe of Levi. The purpose was so that the people of those northern tribes would not have to make the long trip to Jerusalem in Judea (the place where God had chosen, 1 Kings 9:3). Jeroboam was really concerned that if the people did travel to Jerusalem, they would not return. Our ‘reflection’ this week opens with Rehoboam standing by the altar of sacrifice in Bethel ready to burn incense. God was not pleased! He had spoken to a prophet from Judea with a message for Rehoboam … (vv 2,3). It is of great interest that the word spoken by that prophet of God, mentioned Josiah (a king who did not rule Judah until 300 years later, which is after the northern kingdom had been expelled from that land) specifying what was going to happen to that idolatrous shrine and the people who worshipped there.
When the prophet spoke, Rehoboam stretched out his arm and ordered the arrest of the prophet. Immediately, his whole hand withered!! At that point the altar split apart and the ashes spilled out as the prophet had said they would. What a mighty demonstration of the power of God. (It is often said ‘be careful what you wish for’ but I am often moved to think that such a mighty demonstration of the awesome power of God is needed today. And then I think .. God sent Yeshua. He died and rose again. The evidence and consequence of that is all around us, and STILL men refuse to listen. As we surely live in the last days, the question is, when will God say ‘enough”? Just as He said those words to Rehoboam.) The prophecy involving king Josiah, who, in his day restored right worship in Judea, is recorded in 2 Kings 23; 15-25. And all this provides warning for those wise enough to listen. Take time to read the outcome of this event in verses 6 to 32. Is there a lesson there for us today? Selah!
Alas, in spite of all that had happened, the Scripture tells us that Jeroboam “did not turn from his evil way”. It became business as usual … “And this thing was the sin of the house of Jeroboam, so as to exterminate and destroy it from the face of the earth.” … for him and for the people of the ten northern tribes, Israel. We know from history, that less than 200 years later , in 722 BCE, those northern tribes were ‘dispersed’ and are now generally referred to as “the ten lost tribes”. It truely is “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). But as we return to the ‘reflection’ on this story, we find that there appears to be no end to the deviousness which had gripped Jeroboam. His son became sick, and remembering the prophet Ahijah who had accurately prophesied his own ascent to the throne, he decided to sent his wife, in disguise, to Ahijah in Shiloh (the original place where the tabernacle was set up in Joshua’s day) to find out if the prophet could tell him what would happen to his sick son. But God had forewarned the prophet of this encounter, and told him not only that the boy would not survive, but neither would the kingdom of Israel (the northern tribes). Our bible provides many warnings of the consequences flowing from neglect and outright disobedience to honour the covenantal agreement made with God.
The chart shows the names of the various kings and the prophets God used to warn and guide them. What the chart does not show is that of the 19 kings of Israel, there was not one ‘good’ king who followed the LORD. And of the 20 kings of Judah, only 8 are described in the scriptures as ‘good’ kings. By reference to the chart, one may have a clearer view of the identity of both king and region as we proceed. The division of the kingdoms resulted in continuous animosity way beyond the original kings, Jeroboam (north) and Rehoboam (south). A reading of 2 Chronicles 11 - 13 provides more detail of the relationship each had with the people and with each other. Neither of them ‘followed’ the Lord in the manner of David and Solomon (not withstanding their well documented failures) and both Jeroboam and Rehoboam were guilty of promoting idol worship. Never-the-less, the bottom row of the chart shows that even though both nations were eventually expelled from the land, Judah, where the temple was located, and where God had chosen to be worshipped, survived the longer in the land.
The rest of the text of our ‘reflection’ provides much detail about dates and times, and moves between the kings of both northern and southern kingdoms. Five years into Rehoboam’s reign in Judah, he lost all the treasures which his father Solomon has accumulated to Shishak, king of Egypt. And thirteen years later he died and was succeeded by his son Abijam (also called Abijah in 1 Chron 3:10). He reigned for three years and the testimony of his life is .. “He walked in all the sins of his father … his heart was not loyalty the LORD his God”. After his death, Asa became king, (by which time Jeroboam had been king of Israel for twenty years) and reigned for forty-one years. Asa was the first ‘good’ king. Read the detail provided in vv 9-24. He banished many ‘perverted’ persons (sacred prostitutes) from the land. He rid the land of idols. He removed the corrupt queen mother and her obscene idol. He restored the ‘holy things’ to the temple. BUT, although he never engaged in idol worship, he tolerated the ‘high places’. So they remained, and were an obstacle for the future. And therein is another good lesson for us.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 36
K I n g s .. King Solomon dies1
The queen of Sheba had heard of the fame of King Solomon and decided to pay him a visit. Many commentators have had a guess at the location of the kingdom of which she was queen, and several additional (non biblical) stories are speculated about the relationship they developed. It adds nothing to know such things. What we do know is that the lady’s curiosity was ably dealt with by Solomon. He answered her many difficult questions. She was so impressed that she presented him with an ‘obscene amount’ of gold and precious stones, and was gracious in her praise of him. “Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom. Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” King Solomon was equally as generous to the queen when she eventually left, with her servants, to return to her own country, and that is the last we hear about her.
Solomon’s wealth and fame continued to grow seemingly without end. He built a fleet of ships (1 Kings. 9:26-28) which sailed the seas, returning every three years bringing valuable and exotic cargo to add to the opulence. One can only try to imagine the diversionary impact such wealth and status had on Solomon. Wise as he was, he was still very much a human being. And herein lies a salutary lesson for us all. As the Apostle Jude wrote “Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and protect you.” (Living Bible Jude 21) It is helpful here to remind ourselves of some of the responsibilities of kings which are specified in the Torah (Deuteronomy 17) given to Moses.
A king must be a citizen of Israel and must :-
not acquire many horses … relying on military strength
not take multiple wives … lest his heart turn away from the LORD
not accumulate much silver and gold … relying on wealth instead of God
write for himself a copy of Torah … Ensuring that he understands it
read Torah every day … keeping himself acquainted with it
observe all the commands … that he not be lifted above his brethren
That is a formidable list of requirements, and it is certain that Solomon did not comply with at least four of them.
Then we read that “Solomon loved many foreign women”. Compounding the matter, Solomon took wives of Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite heritage in direct disobedience with God’s specific instruction (Deuteronomy 7:1-4) regarding those particular groups of people.
This should provide a huge lesson for us today, and especially for those whom God has appointed as leaders. And the reason it is so important is because God looked on Solomon, (whom he had gifted above all men, and blessed the people with peace and harmony as a result) and said “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you, and give it to your servant.” (Jereboam , taskmaster of the northern tribes, see verses 29 to 39, and Reheboam, his son, to reign over Judah and Benjamin, the two southern tribes.). If God is willing to judge Solomon in that way and for that reason, then it certainly is “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31). Solomon, of course could not accept that judgment, and sought to kill Jeroboam, and thus frustrate the judgment of God. But Jeroboam fled to Egypt, and remained there until Solomon died in 931 BCE. He had reigned over a united Israel for 40 peaceful years.
Solomon’s son Rehoboam, was made king, in his father’s place, at Shechem, (modern day Nablus) a most important place in Israel’s history. (It is located in the valley between the well known Mounts of Gerizim and Ebal.) What happened then may be viewed as a monumental catastrophe, and for Israel it was. The new king Rehoboam was asked by the elders to provide relief for the people from the heavy tax burden which Solomon had placed on them. Rehoboam rejected that plea, and declared that he would actually increase their tax burden. But the Scripture presents a somewhat different view. “So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from the LORD, that He might fulfil His word, which the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam.” (Chapter 11:29 - 39). So it was that the kingdom became divided again, as it was before David became king. The ten tribes of the north, called Israel, went back to their tribal loyalties under their king, Jeroboam. The two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to king Rehoboam in the south.
Following up on his high taxation policy, king Rehoboam sent his finance minister, Adoram, to the north to collect the taxes. He was ‘stoned’ to death by the people of the north, and as the Scripture put it … “So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David (Judah) to this day.” King Rehoboam attempted to assemble an army to fight against the north, but again the word of the LORD came to him by the prophet Shemaiah saying “You shall not go up against your brethren because this thing is from Me.” Sadly, Jeroboam, king of Israel, then took it upon himself to establish two locations, Bethel in the south and Dan in the north, where he set up worship centres, complete with golden calves, so that the people would not have to go to Jerusalem to worship God, as He had instructed. So, the division of the people, Israel and Judah was complete. But that is not the end of the story.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 35
K I n g s .. King Solomon 1
The temple had taken seven years to build. The design was according to the instructions of the LORD, originally given to Moses (for the tabernacle) and verified to Solomon through his father David. In addition to this beautiful temple, Solomon continued building for a further thirteen years. There were various courts of meeting and halls included in the palatial home he built for his own household. It must have provided an imposing spectacle for the many national leaders who took opportunity to visit Solomon, since he had gained international status as a result of his wisdom and wealth. The whole of chapter 7 of our reading today describes the splendour and scale of this construction. “So all the work that King Solomon had done for the house of the LORD was finished, and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and the furnishings. He put them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD.” (Note:- these were not furnishings for the Temple, but items which David had dedicated to the LORD following various battles … see 2 Samuel 8:7-12).
It is of some interest then, that the temple was completed (ch 6:38) in the eighth month. But Solomon waited eleven months, until the feast of tabernacles the following year, before the Ark of the Covenant and other furnishings from the tabernacle of David were placed in the new temple. The calling of an assembly of the chiefs of the tribes, and other community leaders, at this particularly joyful eight day festival, ensured that there would be an exceptionally large gathering of people in attendance at the dedication of the temple.
“And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.”
What follows in our text is full of “quotable quotes”! It is worthy of being read a number of times, as also is the complementary account of this dedication in 2 Chronicles 6 and 7. See, in your mind’s eye, the king, the wisest man who ever lived, kneeling before that great assembly of people, arms spread wide in supplication and praise to YHWH Elohim .. “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts … You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day … Behold, heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! … And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray towards this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.” (And that is what happens to this very day, as orthodox assemblies of Jews, as well as many tourists, gather to pray at the western wall, generally referred to as ‘the wailing wall’ of the temple mount in Jerusalem). Then Solomon rose from his knees blessed the congregation of people. “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised .. through His servant Moses … may He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgements which He commanded our fathers.” (So many times in the Scriptures, the blessing of the LORD is associated with conditional obedience to His commandments !)
After this joyous, emotional, time of dedication and prayer, the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time (1 Kings 3:5 being the first). On that first occasion, the LORD had offered Solomon a gift. In the event, Solomon was granted his desire to be gifted with wisdom to lead the people correctly. And honour and status as described in paragraph 1 above. So Solomon was well aware of God’s capacity and willingness to keep His word. So God spoke to Solomon. “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever.” And then the LORD gave Solomon the conditions under which He expected Solomon to order his life in order for God to keep that everlasting promise. Regrettably, we know that Solomon did not do as God expected.
It may also be noted that there were ‘countless’ sacrifices offered on this occasion. The last temple was destroyed about 70 CE by Titus of Rome, so there has not been any venue for sacrifices to be offered since that time. (There is a substitute practice, called Kapparot, operating today in some orthodox Jewish communities, whereby a chicken is ceremonially sacrificed, then donated to the poor in the community, in the hope of sin expiation) Many in Israel today are enthusiastically preparing for the establishment of a new temple and a new altar of sacrifice, to be built on the temple mount in Jerusalem, in order that the Levitical priesthood may resume the sacrificial system of old. The priests cannot function in this capacity, of course, unless they are cleansed themselves by the ashes of a Red Heifer. Such animals have been bred for that specific purpose and are now being examined by religious authorities in Israel to certify their authenticity. This is a matter of some importance to believers because when such an event happens (the building of a new temple), it will herald the end of this age and the imminent return of our Saviour Yeshua. BUT, friends, God makes conditions. Originally a covenant which the people broke. Trust me on this … there will be a new unbreakable covenant in place during the next temple period !!!!
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 34
K I n g s .. King Solomon 1
“So King Solomon was king over all Israel.”
Up to this time, Israel had three kings, Saul was the choice of the people because he was of impressive stature and presence. He was far from perfect, and was deposed because of his lying and duplicity. David was the Lord’s choice. He was described as “man after God’s own heart”. He was certainly blessed by God and united the kingdom (Judea and Samaria) as ONE. But he too was far from perfect. His later life was blighted by animosity and bloodshed. Solomon, was chosen by David, and approved by God, who gifted him with an amazingly wise and compassionate heart. BUT he too was far from being perfect. God blessed him with great wisdom, wealth, and reputation. Peace and prosperity was enjoyed by all Israel during his time on the throne. The government, appointed by Solomon, (read the detail in chapter 4) was orderly, faithful to the king, accepted by the people, and fully compliant with the commands of the king. “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan (in the north) as far as Beersheba (in the south), all the days of Solomon.” To get a complete understanding of the situation, read chapter 4 many times, and get a new appreciation of the wisdom with which Solomon had been gifted by God. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” Another measure of Solomon’s wisdom may be gained as we are told “he spoke 3000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.” Ponder this. “And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.” A quick lesson here. If God Almighty could gift a man like Solomon with such wisdom and understanding, how much MORE was our Saviour Yeshua, the very embodiment of God, empowered to bring enlightenment, life, and salvation to men through all ages by His time on this earth.
In trying to envisage Jerusalem’s size in Solomon’s time, present day visitors to Jerusalem are often surprised to discover that the City of David lies entirely outside the old city walls of today. And the Temple, Mount Moriah, is on significantly higher ground, which slopes down to the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley. The topography only adds to the enormity of the task Solomon faced in constructing the Temple. It is a testament to the wisdom and understanding he had as we note the way he went about the work, and completed the task in just 7 1/2 years. Huge volumes of materials were brought more than 100 miles by sea and land to the construction site. Modern day archaeologists have exposed the foundation areas of the Temple, revealing the massive blocks of stone, comparable in size to those in the pyramids of Egypt, on which the whole platform area of the Temple Mount stands. King Hiram of Tyre was a willing provider of those materials and negotiated a wise, co-operative, arrangement of ‘food for materials’ which lasted at least for the years of the construction of the Temple, and probably for the following 13 years it took Solomon to build a house for himself ! Solomon, devised the first “fly in fly out” labour force. Using the great wisdom with which God had blessed him, he arranged for 30,000 workers, drawn from all the tribes of Israel to spend one month on and two months off on rotating work periods in Lebanon. In addition to this, work was provided for a further 150,000 workers in the quarries of Lebanon. The whole labour force was under the oversight of some 3,300 men ‘from the chiefs of Solomon’s deputies’. This gives rise to a conclusion that the 150,000 workers were non-Israelite inhabitants of the land. But in any event it was period of great prosperity and peace for the people of Israel and Lebanon.
God Himself gave David the plans of this Temple (1 Chronicles 28:11-13), which he passed on to Solomon. Interestingly, the dimensions of the Holy place are identical to those specified for a Temple yet to be built (Ezekiel 41:1) which is generally referred to as ‘Ezekiel’s Temple’. A temple that is very much in the news today as elections in Israel have returned Benjamin Netanyahu and a ‘far right’ religious party to government as I write this ‘reflection’ (2022). It is an important development for believers who trust Yeshua. A careful study of the Scriptures reveals that it will be the abomination of the ‘man of peace’, also called ‘the Beast’, (Revelation 19:19,20) one generally known as ‘Antichrist’, who will demand to be worshipped in this future Temple, (Matthew 24:15) which will herald the return of our precious Lord Yeshua just 42 months later, to reign and rule.
We note the importance of the Temple being constructed by Solomon. Just like the tabernacle, ‘the tent of meeting’, the Temple was the representative ‘home of God’ among the people. It was there that the people, represented by the High Priest, made atonement for their sin, and presented offerings to the Lord. The Lord spoke to Solomon “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgements, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel. So Solomon built the temple and finished it.”
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 33
K I n g s .. King Solomon1
“Now King David was old, advanced in years ..” One might have hoped that the scheming and subterfuge would be ended, but it seemed to multiply when there was a ‘successor’ to be annointed king after David’s days. Adonijah was the fourth son of David, and the three who were older, Amnon, Daniel, and Absolom, were all dead. Adonijah was a man used to having his own way (v 6) and was very good looking. Since his father appeared frail, he decided, with the help of both Joab, commander of the army, and Abiathar, the priest, that he would have a big celebration to appoint himself king. But he had not reckoned on the loyalty to King David of the prophets Zadok and Nathan, nor of Benaiah and other ‘mighty men’ who served David faithfully over many years.
David had evidently told Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:30) that his successor would be their son Solomon. Nathan was aware of this and quickly went to Bathsheba to get her to make the frail David aware of this new development. “Did you make this arrangement with Adonijah ?” Was the question he wanted put to David, knowing full well that it was not. The events are described in 1 Kings 1 15-35. “Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the Tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said ‘long live king Solomon’.” And so it was that the plotting of Adonijah was thwarted, and Solomon became king over all Israel and Judah. (A favourite memory of mine is that on one of my visits to Israel my small tour group were taken by a quite young Israeli tour guide down tbe steep hill and into a large cave down in the Kidron Valley, in which was the Gihon Spring. As we stood there looking down into the spring below, the young guide became loud and animated as he jumped from one place to another shouting “I don’t know if it was here .. another jump .. or here …another leap … or here! Then he stopped, waved both arms in the air indicating the whole area, BUT IT WAS HERE” he proudly proclaimed, “THAT SOLOMON WAS ANNOINTED KING OF ISRAEL.”)
There was great merrymaking and celebration in the city so that “the earth seemed to split with their sound”. Adonijah was also celebrating and he heard the sound and enquired “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” The reaction when news was brought to him was immediate. “So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way.”
The day grew near that David’s would die. And he knew it. So he summoned Solomon and said to him; “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His judgements, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the LORD may fulfil His word which He spoke concerning me.”. They are almost the identical words (Joshua 1:7) with which the Lord encouraged Joshua when he was commissioned to lead the Israelites into the land of God’s promise some hundreds of years earlier. They are wise words of counsel from a father to a son. Any father to any son. And all the more so because this particular son had been anointed leader of his nation. As David continued, he had kindly recommendations regarding the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite who had been faithful to himself. But he also had cautionary words about others, specifically his nephew Joab and Shimei, the follower of Saul who had cursed him as he fled Jerusalem away from Absolom, against whom stern and decisive action should be taken.“So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.”
Solomon took up his kingly role, and was soon called upon to take punative action against his brother Adonijah. Next, Abiathar the priest was removed from his duties (fulfilling a prophecy against the sons of Eli, ‘1 Samuel 2:22-31’), and re-establishing the priestly line of Eleazer/Phineas in Zadok. Since Joab had defected to Adonijah, so he was the next to go. Shimei, was instructed to remain in Jerusalem where Solomon could ‘keep his eye on him’ on pain of death. Regrettably for him, he didn’t remain in Jerusalem. He died. So king Solomon established himself as a strong, decisive and authoritative figure. Chapter 3 opens with a simple statement about a treaty (and the politically significant marriage of Solomon to the daughter of the Pharaoh) with Egypt. This indicates that Solomon had established himself as an important figure on the world stage of his time as well as with Israel.
Reading 1 Chronicles 1 will add to our understanding of Solomon’s encounter with the Lord at Gibeon, which is described as a “high place”. The Tabernacle was there, but the Ark of the Covenant, signifying the presence of the LORD, was in a tent on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. God appeared to Solomon and invited him to ask for a gift from the Lord. There is no indication that there were any limits placed on that offer. I find myself wondering, as I ponder for a moment, what I might ask of God, were I to receive such an offer. Selah! In that moment, Solomon asked for wisdom as he became conscious of his inadequacy to perform the task set before him, probably as he compared himself to his own father King David. And so it was that God said to him … “I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. AND I have given you what you have not asked; both riches and honour, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.”. But that did not make Solomon perfect, as we shall see as we continue our study.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 32
S a m u e l .. King David 1
Our reading this week informs us of a 3 year famine in the land. King David probably related that to events which had recently happened. So he enquired of the Lord so that he could understand (Chapter 21). The Lord told him that it related to an unresolved incident, which does not fit sequentially with the narrative here. It describes the Lord’s judgment on Israel for a failure on the part of king Saul (long dead). It also is demonstrative of God’s righteousness regarding covenants and promises of protection made to the Gibeonites many years earlier. It illustrates that God is a promise keeper, and, once again, provides a reminder that God is not to be trifled with.
It appears that this put David into a contemplative mindset. He immediately (Chapter 22) thought about how the Lord had delivered him, many times, from the spiteful and dangerous hand of king Saul. Those who appreciate the days of “Scripture in song” not many years ago, will recognise the beauty, the sincerity, and the truth of David’s words. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; …. my shield … my stronghold … my refuge … my Saviour.” And who could ever forget that stirring song of praise “I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” And more, as God filled his heart and his spirit with praise and thanksgiving. All the characteristics which we like to recall when we think of this man after God’s own heart. “God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.” On and on it goes. take time to read, and bask in, the outpouring of wonder, and gratitude and love from David’s lips.
Chapter 23 of our text says “Now these are the last words of David”. Clearly, that is reference to his last literary contribution. He certainly was not struck dumb at this time ! And what David wrote here are words of wisdom which David had not always adhered to. “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” David was acutely aware of his failings in this regard. But he also had knowledge that God had made what he considered a covenant with him. “Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant.” (Read 2 Sam 7: 12-16). That would in part be fulfilled by the appointment of Solomon to succeed him, but goes way beyond that, and into a future date, when Yeshua will take His place on the throne and rule “with a rod of iron” from Jerusalem as King of kings, and Lord of lords. David also takes time to remember the names and acts of “mighty men” whom the Lord had given to assist David in the task the Lord had assigned to him. It is noteworthy that the last named in this list was “Uriah the Hittite” who David had so grievously harmed, and whose death, and the manner of it, had brought upon David the situation he now was in with “the sword never departing from his house”.
“Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say ‘Go, number Israel and Judah’.” It may be a bit of a mystery to us to find out what the fuss was about, and why was the anger of the Lord aroused again so soon after the 3 years of famine. We are not given that detail. There is a parallel account of this incident in 1 Chronicles 21:1. There we read “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.” That is interesting because nothing happens without God’s knowledge, and to my mind it provides an indication that Satan’s power is limited to that which God permits. And God is quite able to get Satan to do His bidding if He so chooses. In the event, taking a census was usually done to gauge a nation’s strength in preparation for a battle. In the past, David sought God’s approval and instruction before engaging in battle. Taking this census speaks of David’s reliance on military might, rather than God’s guidance. The census, of which Joab was less than enthusiastic, took almost 10 months to complete. Purists will note a discrepancy in the number quoted in this account and that in 1 Chronicles (which commentators ascribe to Joab’s reluctance 1 Chron 21:6)
David confessed his error and ‘foolishness’, in conducting the census, to the Lord …. and then went to bed! When he woke up, the prophet Gad, a trusted wise man in David’s court came to him with a message from the Lord. Again there is a discrepancy between this account and the equivalent in 1 Chronicles with commentators agreeing that the 1 Chronicles 21 account is more reliable. The Lord gave David a choice of three optional punishments for his sin of numbering the people. 3 years (our text says 7 years) of famine in the land, 3 months of harassment at the hand of his enemies, or 3 days of plague in the land. David confessed to Gad that “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand on man.” The plague took 70,000 lives before David went before the Lord to plead that the sin was his own and he was the one to be punished because the people were not guilty of that sin.
It was at this point that Gad came again to David with instruction to erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Arauna the Jebusite. In the same manner that Abraham paid full price for the “Cave at Machpelar” (Genesis 23) and Jacob purchased the land in Shechem (Genesis 33:18-20) where Joseph was buried, so too David purchased the threshing floor for a generous price, to erect an altar to the Lord, the place today recognised as the site of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Lord was, and is, working out His purposes in ways that we can only marvel at.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 31
S a m u e l .. King David 1
“Behold the King is weeping and mourning for Absolom.” There had been a massive victory for King David’s army, who had subdued the attempt by Absolom to overthrow David as king of Israel. But instead of widespread rejoicing, “the people stole back into the city that day as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.”
We remind ourselves that this series of ‘reflections’ is broadly designated “Life in the Land”. We might have expected that it would be joyful and triumphant. But in many respects it had been a varied mixture of both success and failure. At this particular time in their history, the disputing and anger among the population was widespread. King David had successfully united the kingdom as one under his leadership. Many Israelites who had gloried in the conquests of David over Israel’s enemies, had now openly turned against David because he had fled from a conflict with Absolom. And at this time, David was still in the city of Mahanaim, east of the Jordan.
Then King David was served a ‘dose o f reality’ by Joab, the commander in chief of his army. In effect, Joab reminded David that Absolom had turned himself into an enemy in his attempt to wrest the throne from David. And the people who had risked, and in some cases lost, their lives to protect him, had every reason to feel aggrieved. There is a lesson to be learned here … and not an easy one to grasp. I write with personal experience. Losing a loved one is a heart wrenching experience. It hurts. But the lesson is this. There IS life after the death of a loved one, for the one that remains. It’s different, but life goes on … and it is a life (for the believer) to be lived to the glory of God. King David was ‘crippled’ by his own grief. Understandably so. Joab took on the task of reminding him that role he had been given by God Himself had not ended. And many hundreds of thousands still relied on him to carry on the task God had assigned to him. And in David’s case it amounted to a role reversal! Joab told his King that his task now was to speak comfort and encouragement to his people, not to wallow in his own self pity. “go out now and speak comfort to your servants”.
To his enormous credit, “King David arose and sat in the gate”. (of the city of Mahanaim) The importance of that act is a bit obscure to us today, but in that day, it not only symbolised, but demonstrated, that the king was available to hear and to discuss the day to day issues which concerned the people. It was, after all, the way in which Absolom had ingratiated himself with the people. It was an act of comforting leadership. Probably the more so at this time because the people were acutely aware of David’s grief. Coincident with this, back in Israel there was dispute between the tribes of Israel about what to do. Many had embraced Absalom as their leader, and now he was dead. David’s informants in Jerusalen evidently passed this news on to him because David sent word through Zadok and Abiathar, the priests ,that he was waiting to receive the call from the people of Israel, and specifically the people of Judah, to return to Jerusalem. At the same time it was made clear to Amasa, (his nephew) that whereas he had been commander of Absolom’s army, he would be honoured by replacing Joab (also David’s nephew) as the commander of the national army when David returned to Jerusalem. That proved pivotal in the decision to welcome David back. However, it also sowed the seeds of discontent in Joab ! (I am reminded here of that old saying by Sir Walter Scott ‘O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive’)
AS David prepared to return to Jerusalem, many of those who had previously followed Absalom, chose to demonstrate their allegiance by visiting Mahanaim in order to accompany David back to Judea. They included Shimei, a devotee of king Saul, who had hurled abuse and stones at David. He turned up with 1,000 followers . Then Ziba, who had told David a big fib about Mephi Bosheth,with his clan. And Mephi Bosheth himself, who had remained in Jerusalem when David fled. And others not named. So it was that King David returned with the support of “all the people of Judah, and half the people of Israel (Samaria, the northern tribes)”. Which indicated that there was still division, and jealousy, in this “united” kingdom. A rebel named Sheba, an Israelite who was the son of a Benjamite of Judah, took opportunity to ferment that division into a full on rebellion which resulted in the the Israelites of the north abandoning David, whilst the Judeans remained loyal.
Then King David recognised the harm that Sheba could do to the nation, and made the decision to eliminate him and put down the rebellion. He called his new commander in chief, Amasa, to assemble the troops before the rebel leader could get properly set. But Amasa evidently did not act with the urgency David required. So he appointed Joab, his former commander to the task. Then in some acts of pure treachery, (2 Sam 20:4-26) the killing continued, allowing Joab to succeed in the task he had been set by David, and at the same time eliminate his rival for the coveted role as commander in chief of the army. One can only be astonished at chain of events which occurred in David’s life since the Lord uttered those terrible words to David. “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you despised Me”. (2 Sam 12:10) At this point, I find myself wondering if David can possibly recover from this situation … and how?
Shabbat Shalom
RS