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.
From the earliest days of colonialism, American slaves were hindered, proscribed, and persecuted. Like their ancient Christian predecessors, they bore witness to the Christian...
The early chapters of Genesis reveal that worship is more than words or rituals—it is a way of life, shaped by obedience, faith, and...
A godly mother is a woman who represents the heart of Christ to her children. She is continually aware of her influence over their...
