hanks

Q25. (HEBREWS 2:1) Why is gradual drifting more dangerous than suddenly giving in to a temptation? How can you protect yourself from drifting away from the Lord? As a thought occurs more and more often, we start accepting the idea of it, or at least feeling comfortable with it, and our defences are weakened. The same with sin. As sin takes more and more control of our lives, we become immune to it and accept it as the norm – we start backsliding. We become spiritually lethargic. If we are not careful this can lead to apostasy. The moment we start to let go of the Word and neglect praying, that is the beginning of drifting away. The only way we can protect ourself from drifting further and further away from our Lord is to hold on to the Word, and our fellowship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We need to recognize the danger early.

Q24. Of the list of 7 of Solomon's weaknesses, which two or three do you think are most damaging. Why does persistent sin ruin such an accumulation of good works that Solomon did? One of the most damaging weaknesses was his marriage to so many women from pagan countries. It is through these marriages that his wives, who were allowed to continue worshipping their false gods, had temples and altars for these pagan gods built. This led to the introduction of idolatry in Israel. This also led to another weakness - his extravagant living. Solomon lived lavishly, and expensively, burdening his people with high taxes. He used a lot of state wealth to entertain and please his many wives and concubines. We see this in the construction of his palace which took 13 years, whereas God’s temple took only 7 years in comparison. His sinful life starts with his marriage to pagan wives, in disobedience to God’s command; then he builds shrines for the wives’ pagan gods; then he starts worshipping these gods as well. This is a slippery slope of sin, which can only lead to ruin and destruction - we know where this ends. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23).

Q23. From the list above, which do you think are Solomon's five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Why is Solomon so gifted? Initially his love for God, his obedience to God; and his continued following in David’s footsteps which resulted in him building on his father’s successes. The building of the temple. Making use of all the materials and prep work David had begun. His perseverance in seeing this 7 year project to completion. His amazing intellect and administrative skills. His care of the needy. His Wisdom literature left as his legacy. He was abundantly gifted. The Holy Spirit must have been constantly at work in Solomon’s life. Guiding and directing him into wise decisions. The more he obeyed God the greater was his effectiveness, but sadly as he strayed away from God, we see more and more of his weaknesses becoming evident.

Q22. (1 KINGS 11:3) Is it fair to conclude that Solomon is a womanizer who lusts after women? How does a womanizer treat a wife? How does having a womanizer for a father affect the children? Is sexual excess compatible with Christian discipleship? Most definitely. With all his wisdom he is unable to control his lusts. With so many wives it is impossible to have a personal relationship with any one of them. I think they are mostly treated like sex objects. In the same manner I cannot see him spending quality time with some of his children. He must have had numerous children and could not have spent a one on one with anyone of them. To me he is an absent father. Our Lord Jesus had explained that marriage is a divinely ordained union, that a man must have only one wife (Matt 19:4-6).

Q21. (1 KINGS 10:18-25; 1 TIMOTHY 2:9-10; 6:6-10, 17-19). Solomon is both rich and showy. In Paul's letter to Timothy at Ephesus, what kinds of guidelines are given for avoiding ostentation and flaunting wealth? What should the wealthy do to please God? 1 Timothy 6:17 indicates a connection between wealth and arrogance. How can wealth breed arrogance? With wealth comes great responsibility. Paul’s guidelines are to first thank the Lord and to use our wealth to do good, to be generous, and ready to share. These deeds will please the Lord and enable us to store treasures in heaven. We are not to put our hope in our wealth, but in our Lord who provides everything we need. There is the temptation to crave for even greater wealth, this is a trap which can easily lead to ruin and destruction. With great wealth comes the desire to flaunt it, to waste it for recognition – we have arrived! Paul also guides us to be content with what we have. To know when enough is enough. Warning us against the desire for more and more. We need to be reminded that our wealth is not our own, but belongs to the Lord, and should be used for His glory. And to be careful of not drifting away from our faith, as we become more occupied with earthly things and start neglecting our Lord Jesus. There is also the warning not to become arrogant. This can easily happen when we start praising ourselves for the success and achievements in our life, instead of giving God the glory for showering us with His blessings.

Q20. (PROVERBS 19:17; 22:9) Why is giving to help the poor so basic a practice in Judaism and Christianity? Why are we sometimes hesitant to help the poor we see in our streets? What are some wise ways by which we can make a regular practice of giving to help the poor? It is part of our culture. Moses taught that the Israelites should be generous in their giving (Deu 15:8, 11). Their law of debt cancellation (Deu 15:1-6) every 7th year was also intended to instil a spirit of generosity in the nation. Solomon himself encouraged generosity (Prov 11:24), and that by giving freely a person will have plenty. Conversely a person who is miserly, failing to help others in obvious need, will themselves always be in need (Prov 28:22). In Cor 9:6-15 we read that God loves a cheerful giver and that they will be generously rewarded. Jesus even taught us to lend to our enemies (Luke 6:35). It is difficult to help the poor in the streets. We are not always sure if they are genuine in their need, and maybe they just want money for drugs. We have to be careful about a hardened heart is always looking for excuses to not donate (James 2:16). This shows that we don’t trust the Lord to keep His promise of blessing givers. It is our responsibility to honour our Lord Jesus by giving to those in need.

Q19. (LUKE 11:31; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30; COLOSSIANS 2:2) How does Jesus' wisdom contrast with worldly wisdom? In what sense are "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" hidden in Him? Just how do you go about becoming "wise" in Jesus? Jesus’ wisdom is the absolute truth and is only spiritually discerned. It is foolishness to the world (1 Cor 1:21-25), but to us, it is the power of God by which we receive righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30). Worldly wisdom is full of lies, hypocrisy and evil. All treasures of wisdom and knowledge were hidden until Christ came. It is through Jesus that it was revealed; this was God’s plan to have His Son, Jesus Christ, live in the hearts of all who believe in Him. Once we put our trust in Him it is not hidden anymore. We start reading His Word and spending time with Him, having fellowship with our Lord. We are guided by the Holy Spirit and combined with the wisdom and knowledge now available, we become wise in Jesus. This wisdom also helps us apply the knowledge to a successful life.

Q18. Which of Solomon's building projects are designed to glorify Yahweh? Which are designed to glorify Solomon? Which are designed to provide protection and security for his people? Many of God's people are in day-to-day provision mode, but if God has given you a bit of disposable income, which of your primary financial outlays are designed to honour God? Which are designed to serve others? The temple was designed to glorify Yahweh. Those designed and built to glorify himself included his own magnificent palace. Being substantially larger this took 13 years to build against the 7 for the temple. Then there is the palace built for his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter. Those built to provide protection and security for his people included towns being fortified and refortified such as, Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer, Beth Horon, Baalath, Tamer, Hamath Zobah, and Tamar. I feel that at first, I must support the spreading of the gospel. Today there is an urgent need for people to get to know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This I do as long as my church is serious about this task. Then, when I can, I try to help my family or members of the congregation, or my neighbour that are in need.

Q17. (2 SAMUEL 12:24b-25; 1 KINGS 3:3) At Solomon's finest, what does his devotion to God look like? Can you think of anyone else in Scripture who is loved by God and loves God back? (Hint: 1 John 4:19) Yet, Solomon's life is a cautionary tale for believers. Why? His devotion is shown by his sincere love and great zeal for the LORD. By his walking “in the statutes of his father David and his love for the LORD (3:3). Also, the fact that he took David’s dying instructions seriously by walking in obedience to the LORD (2:3). All who put their faith in Jesus Christ are loved by God, and we love Him because He first loved us. He loved us so much so, that even while we were still sinners Jesus Christ, His One and Only Son, died for us (Rom 5:8). I can’t think of any greater love than to give up one’s life out of love. God gave Solomon gifts that helped him rule as king. Gifts of wisdom – wiser than anyone else in the world; as well as very great insight; and a measureless breath of understanding (1 Kings 4:29). As long as he lived in obedience to the Lord these gifts were successfully applied to the glory of God. It was through the influence of extravagant living that his heart was drawn away from God and he began to fall. This can be a warning to us as believers. We belong to our heavenly Father and if we stray and don’t use the gifts that we are blessed with can also lead to our downfall. We must be careful not to be sidetracked by serving other gods – self, fleshly lusts, and worldly values.

Q16. (2 CHRONICLES 7:13-14; DANIEL 9:3-16) In what ways does Daniel's prayer exemplify the conditions for God's healing? What must God's people do to experience renewal and revival today? What conditions must be true in our hearts? How might God's healing show itself in a person? In a congregation? In a region? In a nation? Why is a Holy Spirit-sent revival so important in our day? He confessed his sins and the sins of the nation. Humbly coming before God fasting, wearing sackcloth and ashes – evidence of mourning in grief and repentance. Admitting their disobedience and their wicked ways, at the same time acknowledging that God was right and just in disciplining the nation. But he also, reminded God of His covenant of love with His people. He prayed for the removal of God’s wrath, basing his requests on God’s great mercy, favour, and forgiveness. Ending his prayer with “O Lord, listen! O Lord.” To experience revival, Daniel’s prayer of intercession (Dan 9:1-19) is a good example we can use. A prayer that is based on God’s character: His greatness, His holiness, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His forgiveness, His mercy, His love, and His justice. It is a prayer of a person, of a group, or of a nation confessing their sinfulness, the need for God’s forgiveness, and the complete surrender to His will. Resulting in a renewed passion in seeking and serving our Lord Jesus. There must be a change of heart, the hardened heart full of evil thoughts - murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. This must be changed with a heart full of the fruit of repentance - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). If ever there was a nation in need of divine intervention it is my country. The politicians have plundered the country dry, leaving us on the brink of becoming a failed state. A country of 84 murders a day, 102 rapes a day, and 33% unemployment. We must forsake our sins, turn from a life that is centred in self-greed, in idolatry, and in worldly flesh. This will lead to forgiveness and God hearing and answering our prayers. None of this can be done without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Q15. (1 KINGS 9:4-5) What kind of "walk" does God call Solomon to? What does this kind of lifestyle look like? What obstacles does a believer face in seeking to walk before God in this way? What is the opposite of integrity of heart? God demands a walk that shows attitudes and actions that express obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God. He is to walk in integrity of heart, that is to be honest and fair in his treatment of others. To govern the nation according to God’s laws. This all is an outward conformity shown by his actions, and an inward conformity of the heart - to the LORD. It is a lifestyle lived in God’s presence, where He does not leave us or forsake us; a lifestyle lived in obedience to His laws and teachings; a lifestyle lived with the desire and ability to obey His commands; a lifestyle lived in prayer in which He helps us in our daily needs; and a lifestyle which will help spread the knowledge that the LORD is the only true God. The obstacles we face are our own sinful ways and our hypocrisy. The flesh – our own sinful desires. Our worshipping other gods like power, wealth, and sex. The way we try to conform to society instead of obeying our Lord. The world’s hostility towards us. The opposite of integrity of heart is dishonesty and hypocrisy. A person “walks in integrity” when he walks with God and not before the eyes of men. “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9).

Q14. (1 KINGS 8:10-11; 2 CHRONICLES 7:1-3; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18) What does the cloud that filled the temple represent? What do God's glory filling the temple and fire falling on the sacrifice represent? In what sense can we "behold the glory of the Lord" today? How? Why should we take time for that? The cloud signifies the divine Presence a visible representation of the Lord’s glory. Both represented the radiant outshining of His character and presence. The presence of the glory of God exposes our sinfulness against the holiness of God. God is not only goodness and love, but He is also holy, and it is this holiness that makes us uncomfortable in His presence. We see this in Peter’s reaction to seeing Jesus, “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8). The more we have to do with our Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, the more we see and read about His glory and as we are exposed more and more, we see Jesus in His splendour and moral beauty that it starts rubbing off on us and slowly but surely, we become more and more like Him.

Q13. (1 KINGS 8:15-16, 27-30) Why is it so important that the Israelites understand that God doesn't live solely in Solomon's Temple. Where else is God's dwelling place? (verses 27, 30). If the temple isn't God's sole dwelling place, what then is the importance of the temple? Is it wrong to go to a sacred building such as a church to do your praying? Why or why not? The Israelites had to understand that God does not solely live in the temple, but that He is omnipresent. They had to learn that He is not like all the false gods the pagan nations worshipped. For instance, believing that god is a god of the hills and not of the valleys (1 Kings 20:28), and that these gods were but gods of particular countries; as the gods of Henah, Ivah, and Sepharvaim (2 Kings 18:34). Being omnipresent it follows that His power and knowledge is unlimited, and our LORD is to be worshipped and revered everywhere, in private as well as in public. At home as well as in the temple, which was merely a place for man to come and bow before Him and offer his sacrifices before Him. It served as an approach to God. I read somewhere in answer to a question “Is God a great God or a little God.” Answer, “He is so great that the heavens cannot contain Him, and so little that He dwells in my heart.” No, I don’t think so. Sometimes a sacred building can act as a blessing in that the structure reminds us of His majesty and glory. Often great prayers are born out of the great awareness of how great our God is.

Q12. Should worship be a "sacrifice" for us in the sense that it costs us something in time, effort, or focus? Which of the New Testament forms of "sacrifice" and "offerings" are most meaningful for you? Which are most difficult for you? Out of gratitude we should be serving our Lord. There is no talk of a sacrifice, an inconvenience, a burden, or an expense involved. Everything should be done out of love and respect for our heavenly Father. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30). To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice (Prov 21:3). After all we are His creatures, and He owns us and as such we should be there to serve Him. We are not our own, we were bought at a price (1 Cor 6:19-20). We surrender all to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and live a life of obedience to Him. To bring glory to His name. Just the fact that He elected us before creation is enough for us to be eternally grateful.

Q11. How does an understanding of Old Testament sacrifice help us understand Jesus' death on the cross? In the temple the priests stood before the altar making time after time new daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices. This was a cycle that was repeated over again and again. On top of this the Israelites had to bring their own personal sacrifices every time they sinned. These many imperfect sacrifices could never take away sins (Heb 10:11), only the perfect sacrifice of Christ could accomplish this. We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Pet 1:18-19). The power of the offering is eternal, that is once and everlasting/forever. Our past, present, and future sins are forgiven – we have been made fit to be in God’s presence. We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb 10:10).