Friday, July 27, 2012

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday July 29, 2012

Over 31,000 readers worldwide


RETURN TO JUSTICE
(We should represent the LORD in our judgments)
(2 Chronicles 19)

Scripture teaches us that the downfall of the Davidic line of Kings was that they showed a weakness of wanting to socialize with worldly leaders, who had dedicated themselves to the world, either by secret pledge, or, by way of their rebellious behavior towards, and, in the sight of, the Almighty GOD of their ancestors. Those kings, all had to eventually learn that, man can never hide his evil deeds from GOD, nor, can he avoid GOD’s judgment. Instead of running from GOD, one always needs to run to, the Almighty GOD, WHO sees all, hears all, and knows all that we do.
Even in today’s society, church leaders (pastors) who claim to be called by GOD to lead HIS church, spend a great deal of their time flying around the world, (some in private, or church owned jets) in two-thousand dollar suits, socializing with each other under the guise of doing the work of the LORD. They attend meaningless conferences, while having unGODly extramarital affairs, some practicing unGODly homosexual behavior, even involving themselves in child molestation, prostitution, pornography, and GOD knows what else. They seem to find it very difficult, or maybe boring to stay at home and attend to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of their flocks. They would much rather live lavishly off the financial produce of the flock, sucking them dry, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, contributing yet another soul to their father in Hell, satan.
In 2 Chronicles 19, we get a glimpse into the life of Jehoshaphat, one of the many Davidic kings, who, fell victim to worldly socializing. His love of socializing led him to partner with the evil king Ahab, (who had became more worldly than the pagan kings that he socialized with) in his battle against Ramoth-gilead, a strategically located city that was frequently the scene of battles between Israel and Syria (2 Chronicles 18:28-34). He also arranged for his son to marry the daughter of Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:1) and socialized with him on a regular basis, never attempting to turn him back toward the LORD, despite them both being a part of the chosen community of GOD.
In fact, Jehoshaphat was never really able to grasp the lesson from GOD, that, it is not good to socialize with those whom we are only commissioned to evangelize, and be a guiding light to, for GOD. As GOD’s people, we are called to help transform the hearts of those in the world, into something more pleasing to GOD. We are not called to try to make the world a better place to remain in, but rather, we are called to help transform the hearts of those in the world, by disciplining them, freeing them from the gravitational pull of the world’s way of thinking, into GOD’s way of thinking. We are not to conform to their ways and practices, and allow them to influence our behavior. Our judgments and decisions should be influenced only by the examples of CHRIST JESUS, and, by the laws of GOD, and in fact, we should represent GOD, literally, and, completely.
A GODly leader examines himself daily, looking for weaknesses and patterns of behavior that are contrary to the ways of GOD, and they must always be aware of their own vulnerabilities. Jehoshaphat’s close call with death, his salvation from it by the LORD (2 Chronicles 19:31-32), and, his subsequent encouragement from the prophet Jehu, caused him to rethink his direction in life, and he began to see his need to return to GOD’s justice. He went out and began preaching to the masses, encouraging them, to return to the LORD. He also appointed judges throughout the nation of Israel, in all of their fortified cities, and he instructed them to always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. They were to remember not to judge to please people, but rather, to please GOD. And he warned them that GOD does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.
Jehoshaphat also appointed the Levites and priests to serve as judges in matters that concerned, both, the law of the LORD and civil disputes. They were also to caution the people against sinning against the LORD, so that HIS anger would not come upon them at any time (2 Chronicles 19:4-11).
Sadly, however, Jehoshaphat’s would stumble again, because of his bad judgment, and insistence on socializing with a world that is contrary to GOD. His joint trading alliance with Ahab’s evil son, King Ahaziah, near the end of his life, reveals that he had once again dropped his books and forgot his lesson. And despite the warnings from GOD, through the prophet Eliezer, he would not turn from those forbidden dealings. His failure to recognize his socializing weaknesses, and protecting himself from them, caused further calamities in his reign as king over Judah. The LORD would later squash his unGODly alliance with Ahaziah, and destroy all of the ships that they built together, and their venture never got off the ground, before, or after his death (2 Chronicles 20:35-37).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, July 20, 2012

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday July 22, 2012

Over 31,000 readers worldwide


RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
(GOD’s justice reverses wrongdoing)
(2Kings 8:1-6)

2 Kings Chapter 4, verses 8-36, relates the story of a wealthy woman and her family (husband and miracle child) who befriended the prophet Elisha and his personal servant Gehazi, while they were doing missionary work in the town of Shunem. The woman had invited Elisha to dine with her and her husband while on one of their missions, and subsequently, she set up a permanent room on their roof for him to stay in, whenever he came to town.
One day when Elisha had returned to Shunem he sent his servant Gehazi to inquire of the woman what they could do for her in return for her continued hospitality and kindness. The woman declined to accept anything, saying that, “her family already takes good care of her”.
Later Elisha asked Gehazi “What did he think that they could do for the woman? He suggested that “the couple has no son, and her husband was an older man”. And so Elisha told Gehazi to call her back in. When she returned Elisha told her that, “This time next year you will be holding a son in your arms”. The lady protested in disbelief, but sure enough, she soon became pregnant and eventually bore a son, just as Elisha had told her. The son took sick, however, when he was a little older and died. Elisha, then, miraculously restored the child back to physical life, and returned him to his mother.
Here in 2 Kings 8:1-6, we meet up once again with this Shunemite woman and this time she is being warned by Elisha of a coming famine that will be brought upon Israel by GOD because of the apostasy in the land, and, that this famine would grip the nation for seven years. The woman’s husband had now died, and so, she had taken up the role as head of their household. The woman was obedient to the man of GOD, and she left her home and went to live in the land of the Philistines for next seven years.
This story serves to demonstrate the LORD’s ongoing care of this faithful woman who had cared for HIS servant Elisha with love and hospitality over the years. Here the Shunemite woman is being sent away for her own protection against the famine, and when she returns, GOD has already molded circumstances in her favor.
We see, for instance, in verses 4-5, which must have been before Gehazi is cursed by Elisha with leprosy because of his greed (2 Kings 5:20-27), that Gehazi is telling King Joram, an unGODly king, about the wonderful things that she had done for he and Elisha. King Joram is impressed by the story of Elisha raising the Shunemite woman’s son from the dead, and just as he is hearing this account, the Shunemite woman walks in to see the king, hoping to convince him to restore her land back to her, which had obviously been taken over by someone else in her absence.
After the king heard about her dilemma, he gladly ordered that her land be restored back to her, and, in addition, he also ordered that she be given back in value, an amount that would cover anything that the land had produced since she had been gone.
The perfect timing, or, divine providence of GOD, is clearly evident here in this passage. GOD, has clearly preserved the Shunemite woman by, first, removing her from the famine in her homeland, and then later, by restoring her back to financial security. And so, “GOD’s restorative justice” prevails once again, as it always does for those who believe.
The continuing story of the life of the Shunemite woman is strangely juxtapositioned here between accounts that relate to international affairs, probably because, her experience of having to leave her homeland foreshadows that of the nation of Israel, who would soon be exiled from the “Promised Land”, and then, later, be restored back in GOD’s own time. The kindness that the Shunemite woman showed towards the man of GOD, Elisha, years earlier, was returned by GOD, two, maybe threefold, and we see in this lovely story, GOD’s restorative justice at work in the life of a faithful believer.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, July 13, 2012

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday July 15, 2012

Over 31,000 readers worldwide


WISDOM AND JUSTICE
(Wise leaders lead by GOD’s standard of justice)
(1 Kings 3)

The books of First and Second Kings covers a period of about 350 years, when the Davidic line of kings ruled over Israel. The book of first kings begins with the death of the GODly king, David, and the beginning of the reign of his son Solomon. It ends with the death of the evil king Ahab, and the beginning of the reign of his son Ahaziah.
In 1 Kings 3:3-15, with all old business out of the way, and the loose ends left by his father David now secure, a young Solomon begins to settle into his new position as king over Israel. He now turns his attention back to the ALMIGHTY GOD of Israel by sacrificing a mind boggling, one thousand burnt offerings to the LORD, on an altar away from the door of the tabernacle, at Gibeon, the most important of the “forbidden” High Places (see Leviticus 17:3-9).
That same night, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him that, whatever he asked, HE would grant it to him. Solomon then asked GOD for an understanding mind so that he could govern GOD’s people, and clearly understand, the difference between right and wrong. It was a remarkably small request from a young man, who had just been informed by GOD that he could have anything in the world that he asked for. GOD tells the young king that since he had only asked for wisdom, when he could have asked for long life, riches for himself, or, death to his enemies, that, HE would grant him more wisdom than any man has ever had, or ever will have. GOD also throws in, as a bonus, more riches and honor than any king in the world.
Solomon dedicated an unprecedented amount of sacrificial burnt offerings to the LORD, and GOD looked past his sacrificing error, discerned Solomon’s heart, and then, responded in overwhelming kindness to him with HIS blessings. Here GOD responded with three unconditional promises, and with one promise, that was of a conditional nature. Solomon was granted wisdom, riches, and honor, unconditionally. And GOD also granted him long life, but only under the condition that he remained as obedient to HIM, as his father David was.
We too are given unconditional blessings and promises, but we are also given those blessings and promises that remain conditional, and are based on our continued obedience to GOD. When our priorities are right, we can expect an increased amount of blessings from GOD, and, like Solomon, we should all pray for a discerning heart. It should be the priority and desire of every Christian that we be able to make the choices in life that are pleasing to GOD, and fair and beneficial, not just to ourselves, but also to our fellowman. Such desires of the heart can help keep us within GOD’s will, love, and wonderful abounding grace.
In verses 16-28 of this chapter we see Solomon putting his GOD-given wisdom to good use in the story of the two prostitutes who came to him to settle a dispute between them. In those days it was customary that a day be set aside every so often so that ordinary people could appear before the king seeking his judgment and advice in civil matters. It was also a practice that his father David had adhered to.
The two women in this account probably lived together in a brothel, where they both became pregnant around the same time. Abortions and contraception weren’t in common practice in those days, and so one could imagine that there were probably a high number of children that were born out of this sinful occupation. Also, like one of the prostitutes seen here, who had no problem with Solomon killing the child in dispute, there were probably many in this profession who did not necessarily endear themselves to the children that they bore. However, many still held to the Jewish belief that, in the birth of every child, there are three parents; the father, the mother, and the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD. They steadfastly believed that no child could be born without the approval of the SPIRIT, and so they respected the miracle of childbirth, period. And so the love and joy for the birth of the baby belonging to the other prostitute in this story is very apparent.
Here in this account, one woman had accidentally rolled on her baby boy and killed him while they were both asleep. Upon discovering his lifeless body she took it and laid it next to other woman while she slept, and took her son, who was sleeping beside her, and placed him in her own bed, with her, until morning.
When the morning came, however, the other woman noticed that the child in her bed was not hers, but rather, was the, now dead, son of her roommate. Since there were no independent witnesses to the birth of the babies, or, to the death of the one, this case could not be tried in court, in the traditional way.
When this dilemma was brought to Solomon, he knew that he could not depend on their verbal testimonies, and so he, very wisely, moved pass the words of their lips, and instead, devised a way to discern the two women’ hearts. He suggested that they divide the baby in half, and give one half to each woman. Sadly, the envious woman, who had been lying all along, didn’t have a problem with killing the baby, because she knew the boy wasn’t really hers anyway. Besides, she had shown no remorse even in her own son’s death, and so one couldn’t expect her to care about someone else’s child.
However, the true mother, fearing her son’s demise, hurriedly suggested that Solomon not kill the child, and she pleaded with him to give the child to the dishonest woman instead. Here Solomon was able to expose the hearts of both women, and as a result, he was able to wisely return the child to its true mother.
Word of Solomon’s wisdom spread quickly throughout the land, and scripture tells us that the queen of Sheba was so impressed by his wisdom that she came to see for herself, and she brought with her, a gift for King Solomon that included a staggering fortune of 9000 pounds of gold among other gifts, and King Solomon responded to her in kind (2 Chronicles 9:1-12). And so I guess, employing GOD’s wisdom in one’s leadership really does pay off quite handsomely.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, July 6, 2012

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday July 8, 2012

Over 30,000 readers worldwide


TRUE TO THE END
(Those who lead in righteousness bring GOD’s security)
(2 Samuel 23:1-7)

The passage of Second Samuel 23, verses 1-7 is commonly considered to be David’s “last words”, but, in reality, they are actually his last recorded “HOLY SPIRIT inspired words”. Here we see a psalm that was probably written to his son, Solomon, during the final days of David’s life. It is not one of the psalms found in the collection of the 73 other known psalms that are accredited to him in the Psalter. In fact, this, his final known literary effort, can only be found here in this passage of Scripture.
Theologically, this oracle by David peers into the future, looking forward to a time when good will finally triumph over evil, and the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant will be realized through the MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST. However, the overriding theme of this psalm is geared toward GODly leadership, and so it becomes just as important for leaders in this twenty-first century to hear, as it may have been for King Solomon to hear, back in the tenth century B.C.
David may not have been a sinless man, but he readily asserts that GOD has blessed him throughout his life. As the youngest son of his father, Jesse, David had been chosen and anointed by GOD to be king over Israel as a teenager, while he still shepherded his father’s sheep. It would actually be another fifteen years before he was officially crowned as the second king of his people, Israel. The LORD also gifted him with the ability to play and compose music, and he became a favorite in Israel for many years.
In verse 2 of this passage, David affirms that he was aware that the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD spoke through him to the nation of Israel. He believed that this led him to be a righteous leader, throughout his reign as king. He even asserted that “a king who rules as an agent of GOD is like the brilliance of sunshine on a cloudless morning, and like a clear day after the rain”. This is perhaps one of the best arguments in scripture that the bible is truly the inspired word of GOD, and the LORD’s great message to man. The Scriptures are SPIRIT-led so that man might have a reliable and relevant source to call upon for directions, when and before, all else fails.
David continued to marvel, throughout his lifetime, about the privilege he felt that GOD had chosen him to be king, and to also lead HIS people, fight HIS battles, and even, to write HIS words on the hearts of men forever. GOD had also equipped him to know, and desire to obey, HIS written word.
Yes, David loved and enjoyed “the privileges of leadership” for the most part, but he was also willing to shoulder the burden and “responsibility of leadership” that came with it. He never lost sight of the fact that “responsibility is always the obverse of privilege”, a divine concept that most of his fellow Israelites either frequently forgot, or failed to ever grasp at all, in their lifetimes as “GOD’s Chosen People”. They were supposed to be a shining representation of GOD here on earth, or, in more popular terms, they were set apart by GOD to be, “A Light to the World”.
GOD revealed to David the importance of the task that he had been assigned to do, and that, among GOD’s people, the king was to rule with justice. A king of Israel was never to operate outside the Will of GOD, and they were never themselves, above GOD’s Law. They were to always lead the people according to GOD’s standards, and not their own. And although they wielded a huge amount of authority, they were to always exercise that authority with humbleness and submission to the divine authority of GOD.
A GODly leader is one who seeks to provide an atmosphere in which GOD’s people can flourish and live right under GOD, fulfilling their purpose in life, to, and for, GOD. Without righteousness and a healthy fear of the LORD, a leader becomes a “dictator” who can only end up abusing GOD’s people.
A GODly leader has to be a man who can serve, as well as a servant who can lead, and David, was just such a person. And like all the other great leaders under GOD, who came before and after him, he learned how to lead GOD’s people, GOD’s way. And despite the sins that he committed that have now become so infamous in his legacy, he can still be looked upon by Christians, and non-Christians alike, as one of the greatest leaders in any era of world history.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website