Category: Bible Journey

Reflections on I Kings 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The kingdom splits into two, and both parts walk away from God.  Observe:

  • Folly – Rehoboam has the opportunity to reign as king over all of Israel, but he accepts bad advice and loses most of the people. Compare the advice from his two sets of counselors.  Why is one set of advice good and the other bad?  How can you know good advice from bad?  Where do you seek advice?  Where should you seek advice?  Why might you seek advice from older godly people?
  • Idolatry – God gives Jeroboam an opportunity to lead the northern kingdom, but Jeroboam leads the kingdom into idolatry. Judah, the southern kingdom, also enters into idolatry. Is someone leading you to live for or trust in something other than God?  Are you wandering from God into idolatry?  What idols are calling your name?

II Chronicle 9-12 & I Kings 11-14: Finish Strong

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-11) Solomon started strong.  How was he led astray (v1-8), and what were the results (v9-43)?

What can we learn from this story about choosing a spouse, and the influence of family?

What could Solomon have done to finish strong (v3-4, see also Proverb 4:23)?

(IK-12, IIC-10) Rehoboam started strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

(IIC-12) Despite his folly, Rehoboam still followed the Lord.  What further led him astray (v1), and what were the results (v2-12)?

What did Rehoboam need to do to finish strong (v14)?

(IK-12, 14) Jeroboam started strong.  How was he led astray (12:25-33), and what were the results (14)?

What did Jeroboam need to do to finish strong (see also Proverb 3:5-6)?

(IK-13) The prophet started out strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

What warning is there for us in this story?

What did the prophet need to do to finish strong (see also Psalm 119:105)?

How might the example of these four men encourage us to finish strong?

What further principles do we learn in Hebrews 10:24-25 and John 15:1-5 that can help us finish strong?

In what ways are you being tempted to go astray?  How do you need to apply the principles of this lesson to your situation?

 

Reflections on II Chronicles 5-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The temple is finished and dedicated.  Note:

  • Praise for God’s Love – As the ark was placed in the temple, the Levitical musicians were praising and thanking God for his steadfast love (5:5). The people bowed down and worshipped God “for his steadfast love endures forever” (7:3).  The priests offered sacrifices and the Levites offered praises to God – “for his steadfast love endures forever” (7:6).  How has God shown his love to you?  Take some time now to praise him!
  • Heart – God knows your heart. You should walk before him with all of your heart.  When you sin, you are to turn your heart back to God.  Does this describe you?  What does God know about your heart?
  • Humble Prayer – When the people strayed, God instructed them to humbly pray to him, seeking his face, and turning from their wicked ways, and God would hear them and forgive them (7:14). How have you strayed?  Will you humble yourself?  Will you seek his face?

Reflections on II Chronicles 1-4

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Solomon becomes king, seeks wisdom, and begins work on the temple.  Observe:

  • Heart for Wisdom – When God told Solomon to make a request, Solomon asked for wisdom. His heart desired wisdom to do the work God had called him to do – to lead God’s people.  Does your heart desire wisdom to do the work God has called you to do?  Will you ask God for wisdom?
  • Great God – Solomon writes to the king of Tyre about his plans to build a temple for God. He describes God as greater than all other gods.  The heavens cannot contain him, let alone a house.  But Solomon is building a house to offer sacrifices to God.  Ponder the greatness of God in Solomon’s descriptions.  As God’s temple today (see I Corinthians 6:19-20), what offerings will you to make to this God?

II Chronicles 1-8: The Temple of God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(3) Where is the temple built (3:1, I Chronicles 21, Genesis 22), and why is this location significant?

How do the events at this spot point to Jesus?

(2-4) What words would you use to describe the temple?

Why did the temple have to be “great” (2:5, Revelation 21:22)?

(2, 6) What was the purpose of the temple (2:6, 6:21)?

How might this point us to Jesus (John 1:14, Hebrews 9:26, John 15:16)?

(1-2, 5-7) The glory of God filled the temple (5:14, 7:1).  What do you learn about this God from the following verses:

1:1 –

1:11-12 –

2:5 –

5:13 –

6:4 –

6:14 –

6:18 –

6:30 –

7:14 –

(1, 6-7) In response to God, what kind of heart should we have (1:11, 6:7-8, 6:14, 6:36-38, 7:10)?

(1, 6-7) Another response to God in our text is prayer.  What might we learn from Solomon’s prayers (1:7-10, 6:13-21)?

What more can we learn about prayer in 7:14?

(5, 7) A third response to God is praise for his goodness and steadfast love (5:13, 7:3).  His goodness and love are a constant refrain in the Psalms as well (100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1).  How have you seen this refrain over your life?

How might your heart change if you regularly pondered and praised God for his goodness and love in your life?

Reflections on I Chronicles 27-29

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

David leaves a charge for Israel and Solomon, and prays to the Lord.  Consider:

  • Heart – Solomon is to serve God with a whole heart. The people give to the temple with a whole heart.  God searches and tests the heart – what does he see when he looks at your heart?  Are you serving and giving to the Lord with a whole heart?  Join David in asking God to direct your heart more to him.
  • Prayer of Praise – David praises God for his many glorious attributes. Reflect on the attributes of God in 29:10-13, and then offer up your own prayer of praise to God.

Reflections on I Chronicles 22-26

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

David prepares for building the temple and organizes the Levites.  Note:

  • Seek the Lord – As part of his instructions to the leaders of Israel, he tells them to set their minds and hearts to seek the Lord. Have you set your mind to seek the Lord?  What would that look like?  Have you set your heart to seek the Lord?  What would that look like?
  • Praise – David assigns some of the Levites to sing and play instruments in praise to the Lord. They were to praise and thank God every morning and evening.  What does your “praise life” look like?

I Chronicles 22-29: Where Is Your Heart?

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(22, 28) What is David doing in these two chapters?

What instructions does David give to his son Solomon (22:6-16, 28:10-21)?

What do David’s actions and instructions tell us about his heart?

(22) What action should flow from our minds and hearts in v19a?  What would that action look like?

What are we to do with our minds and hearts to make this action happen (v19a)?  How might we do this?

(23-28) We are also to serve the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind (28:9).  What are some ways that you serve the Lord?

Why is the heart so important in serving God?  How do our beliefs, desires, motives, and attitudes affect our service?

When are you tempted to serve grudgingly instead of joyfully?  How might you overcome that temptation?

Chapters 23-27 give us long lists of various people’s roles and responsibilities.  Everyone had a part to play.  How might that encourage you in your service?

(29) How does v9 describe their giving?  Why is the heart again so important?

(29) In v17, David has an upright heart.  What would that look like in your life?

(28-29) In what ways does God interact with our hearts in 28:9, 29:17, and 29:18?  How should we respond to these truths?

(29) David begins his prayer with praise (v10-13).  What do his words tell you about David’s heart?

How might David’s words about God spur us on to seek, serve, give to, and obey God more?

Reflections on I Chronicles 19-21

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

David continues to subdue his enemies, but then sins.

  • Trust – In II Samuel, Joab was known for his vengeful actions. Here we see him in a different light.  In battle, he trusts God to do whatever seems good to the Lord (19:13).  Do you have that kind of trust in the Lord?
  • Obedience – In chapter 21, David tells Joab to count the people – something David was not to do. Joab resists, finding the David’s sinful command to be abhorrent. Joab finally does grudgingly do it – an act of disobedience to God, but he still stands above David in this matter.  Do you find sin abhorrent to you?  Do you seek to obey God no matter who tells you otherwise?

Reflections on I Chronicles 17-18

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God makes a covenant with David.  Consider:

  • God Is Great – David acknowledges the greatness of God. There are none like God; indeed he is the only God.  According to his greatness, God has made promises to David, and called Israel to be his people.  Ponder God’s greatness, and his greatness to you!
  • God’s Promises – In 17:9-10, God promises to subdue their enemies that Israel might dwell in peace. In chapter 18, God fulfills his promise, giving David victory over his enemies (v6, 13).  We can trust his promises; he will not fail.  What promises of God do you need to cling to today?