Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:1–53, Mark 5:21–6:6, Prov 2:1–15
Today’s Theme: Treasure Hunters
Today theme is about finding our supreme, most precious and prized treasure in God Himself and the deep, rich truth of His word, as recorded in the bible.
Choose to be a treasure hunter today.
1 Kings 8:1–53
Worship without measure
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.(1 Kings 8:5, ESV)
This is how our sacrifice and worship should be before the Lord… Without measure.
The weight of God’s presence
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.(1 Kings 8:10–11, ESV)
The cloud of God’s glory and presence is so powerful, that normal religious service cannot continue.
God’s hands
And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying,(1 Kings 8:15, ESV)
God can use men as His hands, to fulfil the promise He has spoken.
God the unique
and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;(1 Kings 8:23, ESV)
God is unique and is no robot or force, He does not just keep covenant with anyone, He keeps it with those who meet the conditions outlined here (those who walk before Him with all their hearts).
Confirmation
Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.(1 Kings 8:26, ESV)
God’s word is confirmed in it coming to pass.
Temple Symbolism
that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.(1 Kings 8:29, ESV)
Solomon understood that God would not actually be in the temple other than in manifest presence.
The house was a symbol for the Israelites to focus their prayers on God, and a point of remembrance for God to look to and hear the prayers of the faithful.
Walk in righteousness
then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.(1 Kings 8:32, ESV)
There is a reward to be had for walking in righteousness.
God is active, not automatic
then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),(1 Kings 8:39, ESV)
No one can demand automated blessing, we need to realise that God is very actively involved in answering prayers and responds to hearts and ways, in truth and love.
Global evangelism
hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.(1 Kings 8:43, ESV)
Global evangelism was on God’s mandate for Israel, the rabbinic teaching that the Gentiles were less than dogs, is nowhere found in scripture.
Repentance is still needed
if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name,(1 Kings 8:48, ESV)
What is concerning about the 1948 return is that many were not repentant, because they reject the son of God and many are now secular Zionists. We must continue to pray and be witnesses for Jesus so that more and more Jews will accept Yeshua as Messiah.
The root of Anti Semitism
For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage, as you declared through Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”(1 Kings 8:53, ESV)
The world hates this truth, hence anti semitism, because the Jewish people stand as a testimony to God and the bible.
Mark 5:21–6:6
Make God famous
She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.(Mark 5:27, ESV)
The benefit of the spread of His fame and glory is that people will hear our reports about Jesus and reach out to Him by God’s grace.
Reach out in faith
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”(Mark 5:34, ESV)
When we reach out to The Lord, we must do so in faith.
Believe that Jesus can deliver
But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”(Mark 5:36, ESV)
Or, don’t be afraid concerning your daughter, instead believe that I can deliver. Out of context, this has fuelled the easy believism (just believe without repentance) ideas.
The importance of teaching
And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?(Mark 6:2, ESV)
One of the main things Jesus did was teach, so the teaching we submit to and any teaching we ever give, is a very important thing.
The problem of familiarity
And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”(Mark 6:4, ESV)
Be encouraged by this, those familiar with you and your gift or call may not appreciate it. Don’t allow that to deter you, continue to use your gifts and operating in your calling, to the glory of God.
Proverbs 2:1–15
Treasure God’s word
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,(Proverbs 2:1, ESV)
Do we do this, do we actually treasure, like a precious possession, the commands of God’s word? We should, this is where true joy is found.
Having a good hearing appetite
making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;(Proverbs 2:2, ESV)
We must make our ears tuned in and attentive to the wisdom that God has for us. When we treasure His imperatives and commands, we will naturally have ears which have a taste for wisdom.
The greatest treasures
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,(Proverbs 2:3, ESV)
There ought to be a yearning and seeking for insight and understanding. We should study and ask questions and seek God with fervent hunger, that we might gain the greatest treasures of all, wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
Hunt for treasure
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,(Proverbs 2:3, ESV)
We should be treasure hunters, not tourists, as we read through God’s word.
God, our source
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(Proverbs 2:6, ESV)
We should no doubt seek this from the ultimate source, God Himself.
God, our shield
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,(Proverbs 2:7, ESV)
Yes Lord, be a shield to me and my family.
God, our carer
guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.(Proverbs 2:8, ESV)
Gods providential care.
What is your appetite for?
for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;(Proverbs 2:10, ESV)
Test your appetite… Where are you? Be honest and make changes if you feel the conviction to.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition on Mark 5
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