CommentaryCommentary
All the commentary in this lesson, unless otherwise
stated, is taken from:
The Word in LifeThe Word in Life TM
Study BibleStudy Bible
Psalm 127Psalm 127
Psalms 127:1 NET If the LORD does not build a house, then those who build it
work in vain. If the LORD does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.
Psalm 127Psalm 127
2 It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food.
Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even
when they sleep.
Psalm 127Psalm 127
3 Yes, sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Sons born during one's youth
are like arrows in a warrior's hand.
Psalm 127Psalm 127
5 How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! They will not be put to shame when they confront enemies at the
city gate.
Building and Prospering in the Building and Prospering in the Lord Lord
How much of our life depends on us, and how much depends on
God? This psalm reminds us that while human effort is important, ultimately we need to place our
confidence in the Lord. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the
home and with our children.
Protecting Your Heritage Protecting Your Heritage
Psalm 127 links the welfare of the family to the welfare of the city, and also connects both of
them to God. God is the ultimate source of strength to
home builders and city planners alike.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
Those who build their house according to God's power and wisdom will have the
heritage of children who can "speak with their enemies in the gate," or public arena.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
One implication of this psalm is that God's people belong in the
public sector. In fact, the objective of raising Godly
children is to produce godly people who will be involved in
public discourse.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
However, there is a vast difference between
ancient Israel in Solomon's day and the
pluralistic society of today.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
Modern-day believers face tensions unknown to
the ancient Israelites, particularly when it
comes to raising their children.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
For example, should they educate their young people in the public sector, which has become increasingly secular and at times unruly, or should
they seek alternative schooling?
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
There are no hard and fast answers to this question. In the end, parents must do
what they believe is best for their children and right
before the Lord.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
There are reasons why a godly family might withdraw its
children from public schooling. One of the most important is
that children are a valued heritage from the Lord.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
Yet that could also be a reason to remain involved in the public system: children
are a heritage—not just one's own children, but all
children.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
God's people have a civic duty to be a part of the public debate
about schooling, however they decide the question for their
own children. There is no place for believers to withdraw from
the world.
Protecting Your HeritageProtecting Your Heritage
Scripture calls us to engage our "enemies [and
presumably our friends] in the gate." The involvement of Christians in the public arena is a complex issue.
Children—A Blessing, Not A Children—A Blessing, Not A Burden Burden
The modern world tends to send mixed messages about the
value of children, but the Bible is unequivocal in its affirmation
that children are a blessing from the Lord and a source of
happiness for parents.
Children—A Blessing, Not A Children—A Blessing, Not A BurdenBurden
This biblical view stands in contrast to modern thinking, which slowly but surely has
come to regard children as a burden on families and
communities, rather than a blessing.
Children—A Blessing, Not A Children—A Blessing, Not A BurdenBurden
Scripture is not blind to the realities of raising children. In fact, it
faithfully records many of the difficulties inherent in bringing
children into the world. Nevertheless, the Bible insists that children are ultimately a heritage
and a reward from God.
Psalm 128 Psalm 128
Psalms 128:1 NET How blessed is every one of the
LORD's loyal followers, each one who keeps his
commands!
Psalm 128Psalm 128
2 You will eat what you worked so hard to grow. You will be blessed and
secure.
Psalm 128Psalm 128
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner
rooms of your house; your children will be like olive branches, as they
sit all around your table.
Psalm 128Psalm 128
4 Yes indeed, the man who fears the LORD will be
blessed in this way. 5 May the LORD bless you from Zion, that you might see
Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,
Psalm 128Psalm 128
6 and that you might see your grandchildren.
May Israel experience peace!
Happiness in Daily LifeHappiness in Daily Life
Most people long for happiness. Psalm 128 shows that the way to have it is to fear the Lord and
walk with Him. The psalm paints a picture of peace and
security in the most basic areas of life—work and family.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictDo you ever experience tension
between your work and your family life? Most people do. Yet ironically, work and family are two of God's primary callings
for us. And often find them side by side in Scripture.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictSince the beginning of history, work and family have been the
two realms in which people have tended to find both the
greatest meaning and fulfillment and the deepest pain
and frustration.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictThe Bible reflects this paradox
by opening with the painfully realistic account of Adam and Eve. On the one hand, their
work in the garden and their life with each other brought them
great joy and significance.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictBut after they sinned, work
became "sweat", and family life produced pain, sorrow, and estrangement. The biblical
account goes on to record more stress between work and family
in the life of Abraham.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictAbraham used his wife Sarah as a
bargaining chip as he negotiated for food with the Egyptians. Later, he and his nephew Lot achieved so much wealth that they had to part ways in order to maintain a
peaceful relationship!
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictAnother prime example of
frustration in work and family is Solomon. His success as a king was
spectacular, but his family life was not, affected as it was by the many political
marriages he made.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictIn the end, he found both his work and family to be very unsatisfying, even though he believed that
both were gifts from God to be treasured.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictPsalms 127 and 128 hold out hope
for these areas as well. By centering our work in the Lord, we can find a measure of fulfillment and reward. Likewise, family life
can be satisfying and secure when we build our homes on a godly
foundation.
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictAs you think about the connections between your family and work,
how much do the members of your family know about your work?
Work And Family:Work And Family:2 Great Callings, 1 Great 2 Great Callings, 1 Great
ConflictConflictHow much do you know
about theirs? In what ways could your church help to bridge the gap
between work and family life?
David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to Solomon Solomon
1 Kings 2:1 NET When David was close to death, he told Solomon his son: 2 “I am about to die. Be strong and become a
man.
David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to SolomonSolomon
Do the job the LORD your God has assigned you by following his instructions
and obeying his rules, commandments,
regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses.
David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to SolomonSolomon
Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish, 4 and the LORD will fulfill his
promise to me,
David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to SolomonSolomon
'If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully
in my presence with all their heart and being, then,' he promised, 'you will not fail to have a successor on
the throne of Israel.'
David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to SolomonSolomon
David's charge to Solomon is, to keep the charge of the Lord. The
authority of a dying father is much, but nothing to that of a living God.
God promised David that the Messiah should come from his descendants, and that promise
was absolute;
David’sDavid’s Final Words to Final Words to SolomonSolomon
but the promise, that there should not fail of them a man on the
throne of Israel, was conditional; if he walks before God in sincerity, with zeal and resolution: in order
hereunto, he must take heed to his way. (MHCC)
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
Solomon immediately is forced to defend his
kingship, and again it is Adonijah’s intent to grab
it away.
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
This time Adonijah is crafty and approaches the King’s mother Bathsheba
to do his dirty work.
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
He asks Bathsheba to ask Solomon for their
father’s virgin concubine Abishag to be given as
his wife.
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
Solomon received Bathsheba with all the
respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they
ought not to grant.
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to
appear in a bad cause. According to eastern
customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as
his wife,
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
and Solomon could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly
prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by
catching at a crown. (MHCC)
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
1 Kings 2:22 NET King Solomon answered his
mother, "Why just request Abishag the
Shunammite for him?
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for
him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son
of Zeruiah!"
Solomon Defends His Solomon Defends His KingshipKingship
23 King Solomon then swore an oath by the
LORD, "May God judge me severely, if Adonijah
does not pay for this request with his life!
Building The TempleBuilding The Temple
We read this week how Solomon built the
Temple and his palace. God’s hand was truly involved in the work.
Building The TempleBuilding The Temple
How else could craftsmen of that era chisel out stones so
perfectly that there were never sounds of hammers, chisels or any other tools at
the Temple site?
The Temple’s DedicationThe Temple’s Dedication
Let’s join the dedication service for the Temple. Here is part of
Solomon’s prayer.1 Kings 8:37 NET "The time will come
when the land suffers from a famine, a plague, blight and
disease,
The Temple’s DedicationThe Temple’s Dedication
or a locust invasion, or when their enemy lays
siege to the cities of the land, or when some other
type of plague or epidemic occurs.
The Temple’s DedicationThe Temple’s Dedication
38 When all your people Israel pray and ask for
help, as they acknowledge their pain and spread out their hands toward this
temple,
The Temple’s DedicationThe Temple’s Dedication
39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each
one based on your evaluation of his motives.
The Temple’s DedicationThe Temple’s Dedication
(Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of
all people.)
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
God cares about the personal needs of each believer.
Solomon's prayer of dedication is a passage of Scripture that especially supports belief in a
personal, loving God.
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
Solomon realized that the temple at Jerusalem was a place of prayer—not only a place in
which people would pray, but also a place toward which
people would pray.
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
The temple would be a representation of God's
presence on earth. So when people prayed toward
Jerusalem, they would be doing so in order to pray to the Lord.
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
When would people be likely to lift up their prayers? Surely
when they experienced trouble—famine, pestilence, blight,
and other plagues and sicknesses.
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
But it was not just general calamity that would move a
person to turn to the Lord, but one's personal needs as well, “the plague of his own heart” (most older translations) as Solomon
put It.
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
It's an intriguing thought—a plague of one's own, the point at which
the trouble, pain, and sorrow of a fallen world intersect with a
person's own heart and life. In that moment, when one "spreads out his hands" toward the Lord, God
hears.
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
What is the plague of your heart? What trouble
binds your soul so that you have nowhere else to turn but toward God?
A Plague Of Your OwnA Plague Of Your Own
Are you willing to lift up your prayers to Him? His
presence is abiding, and He has promised to hear your cry. Why not enter into His
presence right now?
DrawingDrawing Near to GodNear to Godin Enduring Faithin Enduring Faith
Hebrews 10:19 NET Therefore, brothers and sisters,
since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by
the blood of Jesus,
DrawingDrawing Near to GodNear to Godin Enduring Faithin Enduring Faith
20 by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated
for us through the curtain, that is, through
his flesh,
DrawingDrawing Near to GodNear to Godin Enduring Faithin Enduring Faith
21 and since we have a great priest over the
house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere
heart in the assurance that faith brings,
DrawingDrawing Near to GodNear to Godin Enduring Faithin Enduring Faith
because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in
pure water.
DrawingDrawing Near to GodNear to Godin Enduring Faithin Enduring Faith
As repentant, baptized believers, we have access
to God The Father through Jesus, God The
Son.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
1 Kings 8:41 NET “Foreigners, who do not belong to
your people Israel, will come from a distant land
because of your reputation.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
42 When they hear about your great reputation and your ability to accomplish
mighty deeds, they will come and direct their
prayers toward this temple.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
43 Then listen from your heavenly dwelling place
and answer all the prayers of the foreigners.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
Then all the nations of the earth will acknowledge your
reputation, obey you like your people Israel do, and
recognize that this temple I built belongs to you.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple at Jerusalem
showed that Israel's God was a God for all nations. The king
anticipated that foreigners from all over the world would be
drawn to the house of worship.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
So he asked God to honor their prayers in order that "all peoples of the earth may know Your name
and fear You."
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All NationsNations
One early answer to Solomon's prayer was a visit by the queen of Sheba, who had heard of the
splendors of Solomon's kingdom but wanted to see
them for herself.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
After reviewing his accomplishments, she
praised God for what he had done for Israel.
Other visitors had similar reactions.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
The temple was located at Jerusalem, but as Jesus
pointed out, (quoting Isaiah), it was meant to
be "a house of prayer for all nations."
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
Likewise, Israel was to be a blessing to the nations and a light showing the way toward the one true
God.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
Similarly, Jesus teaches His followers to be a light to the
nations. Rather than bringing people to a central place of
worship, believers—who are themselves temples of the Holy
Spirit
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
are to go to the ends of the earth, taking the good news of
God's grace to all the peoples of the world.
A House Of Prayer For All A House Of Prayer For All Nations Nations
2 Chronicles 6:14 NET and prayed: "O LORD God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth! You maintain covenantal loyalty to your servants
who obey you with sincerity.
A God We Can Count On A God We Can Count On
As Solomon began his prayer of dedication of
the temple, he described the Lord as the God who
keeps covenant and mercy.
A God We Can Count On A God We Can Count On
This was a bedrock belief for the Israelites—that they worshiped a God
who could be counted on to keep His promises.
A God We Can Count On A God We Can Count On
2 Chronicles 6:18 NET “God does not really live with
humankind on the earth! Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot
contain you, how much less this temple I have built!
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
Have you ever been tempted to think of a church building as either more or less important than it really is? Solomon's
prayer of dedication helps us gain a proper perspective on
how to view houses of worship.
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
On the one hand, Solomon's temple was just a building. As
such, it could not possibly contain the Lord. On the other hand, it was a site which God had chosen to bless with His
presence.
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
Thus the temple became a hallowed symbol that stood
for God. By the time of Jesus, however, people had
distorted Solomon's balanced perspective.
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
Some treated the temple as more than a building.
Whereas Solomon's temple was dedicated as a house
of prayer for all nations, the temple of Jesus' day
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
restricted Gentiles to an outer court, called the Court of the
Gentiles. Notices in Greek and Latin were posted to warn
Gentiles that they risked death if they trespassed into the inner
courts.
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
On the other hand, some treated the temple as less than a house of
prayer. Jesus strongly criticized the money changers for turning
the site into a "den of thieves," and He rebuked the Pharisees for their lack of respect for what the temple
symbolized.
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
It helps to keep these errors in mind as we think about the
significance and symbolism of church buildings today. Like the temple, no church structure can
lay sole claim to being the house of God.
A Building, More Or LessA Building, More Or Less
At the same time, church buildings and what goes on in them are intended to point to God. So how we treat these sanctuaries in many ways reveals our attitude toward
God.
In all we do, do it all according to God’s will. We know it is God’s will
to hear His Word, believe and confess Jesus
is the Christ,
repent of our sins and have them washed away when we’re buried with Jesus in baptism. Then we must be willing to faithfully serve him all the days of our lives.