The real value of Bible study

I’ve been trying to get a picture of Elijah’s wanderings after having eliminated the prophets of Baal. He finished up in Horeb, which is also called Mount Sinai*. Now, I recalled that this Redcliffe Reading Room blog had published material about the location of Mount Sinai. This can be found on the blog at Mount Sinai andMidian and Moses and all those laws.

Having been the author of those blogs, I am chastened by the statement at the end i.e. 

"Stop Press: I just found an article, Sunday School Work Progressive, by Annie M Knott, in the June 3rd, 1916 Christian Science Sentinel:  

"In the earlier years of Christian Science work a great effort was needed to rise above the material sense of the Scriptures, which denied the present availability of divine Truth, and which dealt in a vague way with prophecy; as if its meaning could be gathered from dates, past or present, when its real value depends upon its daily fulfilment in individual experience.

"Thinking back on my delving into the book of Exodus, it seems I have a need to do a better job of "ris(ing) above the material sense of the Scriptures," as demanded by this article.

"I promise to consult our Shepherd more closely in the future, in my musing for the blog." 

Joyce Voysey 

Ed. That's the joy of our Bible study - we are always progressing, learning new lessons, re-learning and growing, and applying what we are learning to our daily life.

* Google Maps shows where Mount Sinai (Jabal Mousa) is located today in Saudi Arabia, however the location of the Biblical Mount Sinai has apparently been under debate for a very long time.

Elijah challenges Baal's prophets

 

All those records of the kings! Then we come to Ahab, king of Israel, when Asa was king of Judah. He, we are told, “...did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him” I Kings 16:30; and: “... Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” I Kings 16:33.

I ask myself, “Why so many prophets?” In Chapter 18 we hear of Obadiah hiding 100 “prophets of the Lord” and Jezebel “cutting them off.” Elijah has entered the story now with his confrontation with the 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 “prophets of the groves...which eat at Jezebel’s table.”

My Bible dictionary says: “...the prophets have been considered moral and ethical innovators, who brought Israelite religion to a higher level of development than it had previously achieved. In the twentieth century, many of the traditional understandings of the prophets have been questioned, and they have been variously portrayed as great preachers, as moral philosophers, as raving ecstatics, as isolated mystics, as cultic officials, as political analysts, and as keepers of old Israelite traditions.” A prophet was considered to have a special relationship to God, to serve as a channel of communication between the human and divine worlds.

And so we have prophets of God and prophets of Baal. I am surprised at the Bible dictionary’s short definition of Baal: “… the identity of Baal is clear. Baal is a weather god associated with thunderstorms.” And “The phenomena associated with thunderstorms were closely linked to Baal. Baal was said to appoint the seasons of rains. Clouds were thought to be part of his entourage. Lightning was his weapon, and it may have been his invention. The windows of Baal’s palace were thought to correspond to openings in the clouds through which rain flowed. Rain was important to Canaanite agriculture, and Baal was consequently a god of fertility – a prodigious lover as well as a giver of abundance.”

So Elijah challenged Baal’s prophets. It seems Baal’s prophets believed their god would send lightning to create the fire Elijah demanded. He said: “...call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God” (I Kings 18:24). The 450 prophets put in a great effort, but no fire came to burn up the wood and the bullock that had been provided. (Was the bullock an offering to the gods?)

Elijah made the conditions for his “turn” much more difficult by having lots of water poured over the wood and bullock. (It hadn’t rained for 3½ years so that was significant too perhaps – part of Elijah’s trust in his God.) He made an altar of stones (in the name of the Lord), dug a trench about it, put wood in order and laid the bullock on it, and had four barrels of water poured on the sacrifice and the wood. Oh dear! He had that done three times!

Elijah waited for the time of the evening sacrifice and prayed: “...Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am they servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word” (I Kings 18:36).

I gather that all this was to impress “the people.” We read in I Kings 18:21: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. ... The people answered him not a word.” He thinks he is the only prophet of the Lord left.

And so these people witnessed Baal's powerlessness as opposed to the proof of God’s power when “… the fire fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (I Kings 18:38).

To finish off the tale of prophets, we might turn to the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy for a scientific definition: “Prophet. A spiritual seer; disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth” (p. 593).

A Bible scholar once asked the question: “When did the last prophet live?” One in the group answered that all who practise Christian Science are prophets according to that definition.

Joyce Voysey

Building the temple, a visit by a Queen, then descendants create havoc

 Solomon is remembered for many things, possibly including having written some of Proverbs, which is subtitled "Wise Sayings of Solomon" in Eugene Peterson's The Message. Another feat of importance is the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 6 of I Kings outlines its impressive dimensions (90 feet long, 30 feet wide, 45 feet high, plus a "porch across the 30-foot width ... that extended out 15 feet" (The Message) and explains that the building work took place 480 years after Moses led the children of Israel out of captivity in Egypt and in the 4th year of Solomon's reign.

The temple is described in detail, including "engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and flower blossoms on ... the walls of both the Inner and the Main Sanctuary" (I Kings 6: 29-30). They used cedar and cypress, high-quality stone and bronze which was fashioned by the artist Hiram (from the northern city of Tyre on the coast). There was a grand and impressive ceremony for the installation of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (see I Kings 8:6-9). Great sacrifices were also offered (I Kings 8: 62 on). Unfortunately, slave labour was employed.

Solomon also engaged in the ship-building business and these are said to have brought back gold from the land of Ophir, a place whose location may have been India, Saudi Arabia, or perhaps northern Africa. 

News of Solomon's wealth, wisdom, and building feats spread abroad and soon brought a visit by the Queen of Sheba (perhaps southern Arabia).This meeting has been recorded in many works of art. Figure 1 (below) shows a modern rendition. Apparently the artist used his cousin and her brother as his models and he was probably influenced by the visit of the famous Ballet Russes in his choice of costumes. You may like to listen to the wonderful "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" by George Frederic Handel. 

Figure 1: Duncan Grant (1885-1978). 1912, The Queen of Sheba. Oil paint on plywood, 120 x 120 cm. Reproduced from TATE Museum, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/grant-the-queen-of-sheba-n03169

But, as indicated by Joyce in a previous post, all was not well. He forgot about the one God of his father David. Things started to go awry. Rebels like Jeroboam popped up. He had fled to Egypt but returned at Solomon's passing, at which time Solomon's son Rehoboam became king of Judah (southern kingdom, as opposed to Israel, the northern kingdom). But there was great tension with Jeroboam setting up false gods all over the place. 

Amidst the trouble, there is a recorded healing - see I Kings 13: 6 where the king asks "the holy man" to pray to God, with the result that his arm was completely healed. This paves the way for the entrance of Elijah some generations later. But that is a topic for another post.

Julie Swannell

On government and "collective right thinking"

I only recently learned that Solomon was not always a hero. In my consecutive reading of the Bible I had been reading about Solomon in I Kings. The NRSV version’s note on Chapter 3 (which includes Solomon’s dream where he asks for "an understanding mind") is instructive. It says, 

“At the beginning of the account the narrator makes two introductory remarks that indicate both Solomon’s growing power and the seeds of his eventual downfall. His political alliance with an unnamed king of Egypt indicates that Solomon is now powerful enough to be part of the world of international politics. He is also to become one of Israel’s most famous builders, expanding David’s original city, fortifying the walls, and building an elaborate royal palace and a splendid temple so that worship could take place appropriately at one site. However, Solomon also follows the common imperial practice of cementing political alliances with marriages (2 Sam 3:2-5; 5:13), and he participates in or at least tolerates the worship of his wives' native gods in Jerusalem, a situation that ultimately leads to his downfall (ch. 11).”

I was interested to see that there are some good stories in I Kings. From the Learn Religions site I found this:

"Outline of 1 Kings

·         David's death, Solomon's ascent as king - 1 Kings 1-2.

·         Solomon's wisdom and government - 1 Kings 3-4.

·         Building the temple and palace - 1 Kings 5-8.

·         Solomon's wives and his downfall - 1 Kings 9-12.

·         Northern tribes' revolt - 1 Kings 13.

·         Deeds of kings of Israel and Judah - 1 Kings 14-16.

·         Ministry of Elijah - 1 Kings 17-21.

·         Kings of Israel and Judah, Ahab's death - 1 Kings 22.

Landscape: 1 Kings is set in the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

·         Key Characters: King David, King Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel."

The names Rehoboam and Jeroboam were unfamiliar, but David, Solomon, Elijah, Ahab and Jezebel really needed no introduction.

Rehoboam, Solomon’s son by an Ammonite princess, was the last king of the United Monarchy and the first king of Judah after the northern tribes revolted. Jeroboam I was the first king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel).

 I asked myself: who ruled the Jews before the kings? The two kingdoms of Israel and Judah also puzzled me somewhat. I found this on the Jewish Virtual Library website:

"The experiment with the opulence and power of the great eastern kingdoms had ended in disaster for Israel. King Solomon created the wealthiest and most powerful central government the Hebrews would ever see, but he did so at an impossibly high cost. Land was given away to pay for his extravagances and people were sent into forced labor in Tyre in the north. When Solomon died, between 926 and 922 BCE, the ten northern tribes refused to submit to his son, Rehoboam, and revolted.

"From this point on, there would be two kingdoms of Hebrews: in the north - Israel, and in the south - Judah. The Israelites formed their capital in the city of Samaria, and the Judaeans kept their capital in Jerusalem. These kingdoms remained separate states for over two hundred years.

"The history of the both kingdoms is a litany of ineffective, disobedient, and corrupt kings. When the Hebrews had first asked for a king, in the book of Judges, they were told that only God was their king. When they approached Samuel the Prophet, he told them the desire for a king was an act of disobedience and that they would pay dearly if they established a monarchy. The history told in the Hebrew book, Kings, bears out Samuel's warning."

Here is a taste of what Isabel Perkins wrote in the August 1932 edition of The Christian Science Journal. (It could have been written at this time in history rather than in the Depression 1930s!) It's called Kings and Priests Unto God:

"Undoubtedly there are statesmen as well as economic chieftains whose efforts avail much. There are men and women, also, giving their time and talents towards the solution of world problems. But the general belief is that it is impossible for any one individual or any small group of individuals to assume the role of a full responsibility. The greatest need at this time is that all nations gain a higher understanding of God in order that they may better demonstrate government by divine Principle. The collective right thinking of those who have learned something of Truth will be far more effective as a way out of chaos than any other means." 

So. The Hebrews were led by Moses, then Joshua. I am also reminded of Mary Baker Eddy’s leadership. She said we were to follow her only as she follows Christ.

As the Hebrews of Bible times, and we today are led by God through Christ but secular leaders mostly gain a thirst for power which they wish to hold on to at any price. How many presidents of countries have ruined their nation through their personal greed and avarice.

Perhaps Elizabeth II, Queen of England, could echo David’s words to her successor:

"Keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou does, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel" (II Kings 2:3, 4).

Joyce Voysey

Ed. Readers may find this article from The Christian Science Monitor about a new film on Martin Luther King of interest in the light of today's blog. Flaws we may all have, but they need not define us.

Solomon sets up his court

 According to the Biblical account, the young King Solomon soon proves his mettle. He displays astonishing qualities which establish his fitness for the new role bestowed on him. The year may be around 975 BC.

First, he must be decisive and clear. He brooks no disobedience not disloyalty, and clearly follows his father David's instructions in regard to his subjects in Judah and Israel. Therefore, while offering a leniency which allows a disloyal subject (such as Shimei son of Gera the Benjaminite) space for repentance, he is nonetheless quick to act when Shimei is disobedient (I Kings 2: 36-46).

But decisiveness was not enough. He must also have humility. Turning to the one God in prayer, he humbly asks for wisdom in his new role. In fact, Solomon was soon to become known throughout his world as a model of wisdom, and the tipping point was how he handled the case of the two mothers - see chapter 3: 16-28.

Good government requires willing, capable and trustworthy key  people to serve in leadership positions. Here is the list of some of the office bearers (copied from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson) at this time:

• Azariah son of Zadok—the priest
• Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha—secretaries
• Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud—historian
• Benaiah son of Jehoiada—commander of the army
• Zadok and Abiathar—priests
• Azariah son of Nathan—in charge of the regional managers
• Zabud son of Nathan—priest and friend to the king
• Ahishar—manager of the palace
• Adoniram son of Abda—manager of the slave labor.

Figure 1: Palestine under the House of David - Palestine during the time of David and Solomon. 

Reproduced from: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Solomon?utm_campaign=b-extension&utm_medium=chrome&utm_source=ebinsights&utm_content=Solomon

Unfortunately, the idealistic young man was later to lose sight of his noble aims, and immense power and wealth were to divert his attentions. Bible scholar Thomas Leishman reminds the reader of Jesus' response to the famed leader: 

"Later Christ Jesus could refer to "Solomon in all his glory" (Matt. 6:29), noting that all the magnificence of Solomon could not compare with the beauty of the wild flowers of Galilee. Indeed Jesus knew, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (verse 24), or, as Goodspeed translates, "You cannot serve God and money."" 

[From the January 1968 issue of The Christian Science Journal, "Solomon in all his glory". See also Leishman's books "The Continuity of the Bible, available from many Christian Science Reading Rooms.]

But this is getting ahead of ourselves. For now, the young monarch is endeavouring to follow in the footsteps of his father King David.

Julie Swannell

 

Uproar in the court of David

 Welcome to 2021 everyone and thank you to our loyal book club team who continue to support us by contributing to the blog posts, responding with comments, and reading all or some of the books chosen.

This month I am inspired by a post from Bible teacher and friend Madelon Maupin's post about getting to know your Bible better in seven steps. Just visit www.bibleroads.com. Step one is PRAY. 

She also offers tips for up to date Bible Commentaries, a Bible Atlas, and a Study Bible.

This month our book club will read I Kings, which begins like this (The Message) - King David grew old. The years had caught up with him. Even though they piled blankets on him, he couldn’t keep warm.

But there was strife in the household...

11-14 Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Did you know that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has taken over as king, and our master David doesn’t know a thing about it? Quickly now, let me tell you how you can save both your own life and Solomon’s. Go immediately to King David. Speak up: ‘Didn’t you, my master the king, promise me, “Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne”? So why is Adonijah now king?’ While you’re there talking with the king, I’ll come in and corroborate your story.”

And later in the proceedings:

38-40 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s personal bodyguard (the Kerethites and Pelethites) went down, mounted Solomon on King David’s mule, and paraded with him to Gihon. Zadok the priest brought a flask of oil from the sanctuary and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram’s horn trumpet and everyone shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” Everyone joined the fanfare, the band playing and the people singing, the very earth reverberating to the sound.

41 Adonijah and his retinue of guests were just finishing their “coronation” feast when they heard it. When Joab heard the blast of the ram’s horn trumpet he said, “What’s going on here? What’s all this uproar?”

Now who was that guy called Solomon?

Julie Swannell