Solomon builds a temple to honor the Lord. In the prayer of dedication, he anticipates a time when foreign peoples will journey to the temple in Jerusalem because the God of Israel is famous for answering the prayers of all people. Yet the final chapter of 2 Kings describes a foreign nation coming to Jerusalem, not to worship there but to destroy the temple and take the people of God into exile. The tragic history that unfolds between the dedication and destruction of the temple shows how God’s people and God’s kings fail in their commission to reflect his character among the nations. Scriptures referenced include 1 Kings 8:23 ; 2 Kings 25:8–21; 2 Kings 10:12-14; Proverbs 14:12; 2 Kings 11:1–3; 1 Kings 19:17-21.
Chronic stress can cause a wide range of physical and mental health issues, from high blood pressure and heart disease to depression and anxiety....
The fall of Jericho in the book of Joshua serves as a powerful example of God's supernatural intervention and deliverance. The impenetrable walls crumble...
The book of 1 Timothy is full of challenging, confusing, and (in some cases) controversial content. Readers often have questions about some of them....
