TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
1 Kings 3:3-4:34
Acts 6:1-15
Psalm 126:1-6
Proverbs 16:26-27
1 Kings 3:9 — May we pray for wisdom as well! Too often people pray only for health, wealth, and prosperity. God wants to give us all that, but He first wants to give us wisdom. Also, if we don’t walk in God’s ways, we’re not getting the fringe benefits (1 Kings 3:14).
1 Kings 4:21 — Solomon’s reign seems impressive but … as Samuel warned in 1 Samuel 8:14-15 … the king will take your fields, your vineyards, your olive groves, your grain, your vintage, and more! While prosperity is fun, it is also expensive (1 Kings 12:4).
1 Kings 4:25 — This verse contains one of George Washington’s favorite phrases: “Every man under his vine and under his fig tree.” George Tsakiridis explains:
“Under their vine and fig tree” is a phrase quoted in the Hebrew Scriptures in three different places: Micah 4:4, 1 Kings 4:25, and Zechariah 3:10. George Washington used this phrase multiple times in correspondence throughout his life, and one can find Washington reference it almost fifty times …
The phrase refers to the independence of the peasant farmer who is freed from military oppression. In the biblical passage there is a juxtaposition of the simple life with that of royalty or the state. Thus, it would seem that Washington’s use of “vine and fig tree” in its full context would be an appropriate message in the setting of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/vine-and-fig-tree/
1 Kings 4:26 — Solomon is violating Deuteronomy 17:16.
Acts 6:10 — Stephen’s job description was to “serve tables” (Acts 6:2), but he spoke with wisdom and the Spirit. They charged him (Acts 6:14) with the same charge they attacked Jesus with in Mark 14:58.
Psalm 126:1-3 – From former Vice President Mike Pence:
It was an amazing moment I’ll never forget… when three Americans stepped onto the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews and gave me a signed personal note with Psalm 126 on the back.
“When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion … The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
To these men of faith and courage – God bless you and welcome home!
Psalm126:6 — Spurgeon has a great outline:
- A sojourning: “He that now goeth on his way.”
- A sorrowing: “weeping.”
- A sowing: “and beareth forth good seed.”
In the regress, there are three opposites to these:
John Hume
- Returning: “He shall doubtless come again.”
- Rejoicing: “with joy.”
- Reaping: “and bring his sheaves with him.”
Proverbs 16:26 — From Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible:
He that laboreth – literally, as in the margin, i. e., “The desire of the laborer labors for him” (or, helps him in his work), “for his mouth urges him on.” Hunger of some kind is the spring of all hearty labor. Without that the man would sit down and take his ease. So also, unless there is a hunger in the soul, craving to be fed, there can be no true labor after righteousness and wisdom (compare Matthew 5:6).
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