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.
Emmanuel, or "God with us," is the central and enduring truth of the Christian faith, going far beyond a mere Christmas doctrine. This divine...
It is true that Jesus said, “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and my sister and my mother.” (Mark 3:35) However, Jesus also...
Today is Part 2 of our special two-part episode. Jealous of Daniel's favor with the king, other officials conspire to find grounds for his...
