Obedience

God’s Approval of Solomon Building The Temple

The Lord appeared to Solomon and assured Him that his work on the temple and its dedication pleased Him (v. 11?‘12) (details are given on the actual construction in I Kings 7:1?‘12). Obedience was the key to God’s Blessing. God encouraged Solomon by His promise that if …

The Church at Philadelphia Was Obedient

Philadelphia was situated about 28 miles southeast of Sardis and bordered on Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia. The name means brotherly love and was named after its founder, Attalus Philadelphia, king of Pergamos. It is said that because of severe earthquakes which destroyed the city several …

The Prophet’s Wife Dies

The Lord announced to Ezekiel that his beloved wife (The desire of your eyes)was about to die suddenly (vv 15-18). However, as an object lesson to Israel, the Lord commanded the prophet not to mourn outwardly over her death, as was the custom (vv. 20-24). Instead he could …

Joshua Captures Towns in the North

Joshua was a man who exemplified this character. He followed every detail of God’s commands to Moses. It is usually difficult to complete someone else’s project, but Joshua stepped into Moses’ job building upon what Moses had started. With the southern campaign over he was ready to …

The Ultimate King-Priest

This vision is about the Messiah, the King-Priest. In the days of the kings and after the exile Judah’s government was ruled by two distinct persons; the king ruling the political life and the high priest, ruling its religious life. This section opens with three Hebrews arrivin …

Jehu Kills Those Who Serve Baal

In his twenty-eight-year reign, Jehu was unexcelled in his zeal to rid his people of Baal worship. Baal worship had thrived for many years under Ahab and his successors. The victory won through Elijah’s contest on Mount Carmel had been only temporary. As part of Jehu’s s …

David’s Instructions to Solomon

During David’s last sickness, many chief priests and Levites were at Jerusalem. David called a meeting for all of Israel’s leaders, including the tribal leaders, the government officials, the army commanders, the officials in charge of the royal property, the palace officials, and the brave …

Blessing For Obedience

The key word in this chapter is “if” (v. 1). If this great nation (Israel) which God had miraculously brought out of Egypt obeyed the Lord, every aspect of her life would be blessed. If, as a nation, she failed she would be scattered throughout the earth to endure suffering and great tribulation…

Rejoicing in God’s Word

1. What leads to a life of obedience (vv. 161-164)? a. Fearing (Reverencing) God’s Word in Holy Awe (v. 161). “Princes have persecuted me without cause: bu …

Refusing to Obey Brings Disastrous Results

A guilty conscience and cowardice go hand in hand. The guilty run from imagined pursuers while the righteous are as bold as lions (v. 1). Throughout Israel’s history, the stability of the nation nearly always depended on the wisdom of its leader (v. 2). It’s often the poor who are the most …