Friday, January 31, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 2, 2020

Over 228,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

SINGLE-MINDED OBEDIENCE
(Knowing GOD’s Word helps us to resist temptation)
(Matthew 4:1-11)

   One of the great truths in life is, that, after every great moment of achievement, there comes a moment of human reaction to that achievement that makes us more vulnerable to the wiles of satan, than we ever were before. In Matthew chapter 4, verses 1-11, the Apostle Mathew gives us his account of the immediacy of which the temptations of satan, followed the baptism of JESUS CHRIST, one of the greatest moments in human history.
    In this passage satan tries in vain to tempt, even JESUS, and move HIM away from “the plan of GOD”, at the beginning of HIS ministry. Here he tries to stumble JESUS with Scriptures and magnificent, grandiose offers. However, JESUS, being the human personification of the Word of GOD, was able to hold fast to that Word and plan of HIS FATHER in Heaven, even while in a physically weakened state of hunger.
    In Deuteronomy chapter 6, GOD calls on all the people of Israel to wholeheartedly commit themselves to HIS Word and commands, and to also pass down HIS instructions to coming generations. Here the LORD presents the obedience to HIS laws and commands as the only defense we and our children have against the satanic attacks of temptations, that are sure to come, as we strive to advance HIS plan of spreading the Gospel of CHRIST to the world.
    In that passage, Moses is concerned about the Israelites being tempted in their new land as they were at Massah (Exodus 17:1-7), where they complained against the LORD in their time of testing, instead of holding fast to their belief in the only wise GOD. Moses hoped that, in the future, they would remember their embarrassing sinful behavior at Massah, and the next time, choose to do that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD.
    Moses instructed the Israelites, that, no matter what hardship GOD allowed satan to tempt them with, they would be able to overcome that temptation if they remembered HIS laws, commands, and regulations. And through their obedience to GOD, just like with JESUS here in this passage, all things would go well for them as they moved forward.
    More than a few times in Biblical history, we see a great moment of achievement by men of GOD being quickly followed by a great temptation from satan. In fact, the Scriptures are indeed rift with such incidents as these. We see it in Genesis 13, for example, when a very wealthy Lot is able to separate himself from Abram, and, for the first time in his life, is on his own in the world, free to make his own decisions. Surely that must have been a great moment in this young man’s life.
    However, we see in Genesis 14, that, no sooner than he had made his life’s first big decision, which was to move into the area of Sodom and Gomorrah, (he was “tempted by satan with what he saw in the world”), that, he is drawn into a conflict with ten warring rival kings, and is captured by one of those factions, and loses everything that he owns in the process.
    In 2 Samuel 11, we see it again with King David, fresh off his big victory over the Ammonites, and deciding to skip the next battle and stay at home and bask in his own glory for a while. Here we see this glorious, victorious, legendary king waking up from his nap, and deciding to take a stroll on the rooftop of his palace.
    Then, all of sudden satan shows him this woman of unusual beauty, named Bathsheba, taking a bath, in the home of her husband Uriah, who was a member of David’s army. Giving way to “the temptations of the flesh”, David has her brought to him in his palace, where he has sex with her, and she, as a result, becomes pregnant with his child. David then tries to cover up his sin of adultery by murdering her husband, Uriah, by ordering him to be put on the front line in the heat of battle.
    Then in Matthew 16:13-19, Matthew writes of JESUS and HIS Disciple’s visit to the area of Caesarea Philippi where HE poses the question to them, “Who do you say that I am?” When Simon Peter answers, “YOU are the MESSIAH, the SON of the LIVING GOD”, JESUS replies, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my FATHER in Heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human. Now I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven”.
    Now surely this must have been a great moment in Peter’s life. But in verses 22-23, we see satan immediately “tempting Peter spiritually”, by using him to try and convince JESUS against GOD’s plan for HIS crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, by telling HIM, “Heaven forbid, LORD, this will never happen to YOU! JESUS turns to Peter and speaks to the spirit of satan who had entered into him, and says, “Get away from me satan”.
    And so, yet another great moment is foiled by the ensuing temptation of satan. Man must forever be on guard against the temptations of evil, especially in areas where we are most sure of ourselves, and especially following moments of great achievements and gains in our personal life and in our works for the LORD. With all “great achievements”, comes an equally great measure of “human pride”, and satan will often use that reactionary moment of pride, to enter into, and try to destroy our lives.
    GOD has given everyone a gift of some sort, and everyone has to decide whether they’re going to be good stewards with those gifts, by using them to advance GOD’s work here on earth, particularly, by building on to the kingdom of GOD through our positive reaction to the needs of our fellowman. And we will be tempted all along the way, by satan, to try to get us to use our gifts and talents in selfish ways, apart from GOD.
    And, even though we may not be able to escape such temptations 100% of the time, the more we abide in CHRIST JESUS, by keeping our focus, the more we will be able to summon up the strength given to us, through HIM, by GOD. In other words, we can battle temptations more successfully when we “understand and act upon the Word of GOD”. And we can be encouraged by the fact that JESUS met and overcame temptation, not as a GOD (1 John 4:2-3), but rather, as a 100% human being, while living here on earth.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website










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Friday, January 24, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 26, 2020

Over 228,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE
(Fully committed hearts draw people to GOD)
(1 Kings 8:54-66)

   There is no conflict between “faith” and “works”, and nor is there any conflict between “GOD’s sovereignty” and “human responsibility” as GOD’s greatest creation. GOD has always been eager to pour out HIS grace on an undeserving people. Yet, it is still through our obedience that we can be brought to the banks of the everlasting river from which GOD’s grace overflows.
    In 1 Kings 8, verses 54-61, after Solomon had finished his prayers and petitions to the LORD for himself and his people Israel, he rose to his feet in front of the bronze altar of the LORD in the courtyard, and he shouted this blessing over the entire community:

“Praise the LORD WHO has given rest to HIS people Israel, just as HE promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises HE gave through HIS servant Moses. May the LORD our GOD be with us as HE was with our ancestors; may HE never forsake us. May HE give us the desire to do HIS Will in everything and to obey all the commands, laws, and regulations that HE gave our ancestors. And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the LORD be before HIM constantly, day and night, so that the LORD our GOD may uphold my cause and the cause of HIS people Israel, fulfilling our daily needs. May people all over the earth know that the LORD is GOD and that there is no other god. And may you, HIS people, always be faithful to the LORD our GOD. May you always obey HIS laws and commands, just as you are doing today.”

   After Solomon finished this benediction, he and all the people of Israel began to present their sacrificial offerings to the LORD. The number of animal sacrifices (22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep) may seem incredibly large. However, in those days, it was quite common during holy holiday festivals such as this, “the Festival of Tabernacles”, that is celebrated here in this passage. And now, coupled with “the dedication of the Temple”, this gala event was extended from seven to fourteen days.
    The Festival of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33, 41-33), commemorated the Israelite’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness after their release from chattel slavery in Egypt. And now this permanent Temple, which Solomon built here in Jerusalem, served to symbolize an end to their wandering. It was to forever replace the “mobile Tabernacle tent” that was constructed by Moses and their ancestors, all those years ago.
    Solomon showed total commitment to finishing GOD’s Temple, and his prayer of dedication demonstrated deep insight into the nature of GOD’s relationship with believers. He also showed great understanding of the truth that GOD is truly the GOD of all peoples, not just the Jews.
    Yet, in Solomon’s later years, despite all of his wisdom and zeal, he seems to have totally forgotten GOD’s special rules for HIS “Davidic Line of Kings”, of which he was only the second member. As a member of that special Davidic Line of Kings, Solomon was not to make any treaties, with the pagan nations around him. GOD had already assured him that his kingdom would be free of war and conflict.
    However, Solomon, over time, began to show little faith in GOD’s promise of peace, even though he had earlier urged all of Israel to do.  As king, he brokered many treaties with unGODly nations, and he cemented those treaties by intermarrying into the families of those nation’s leaders.
    Furthermore, Solomon did not prohibit the hundreds of women from continuing to worship their own pagan gods, and in fact, he even began to, over time, worship them himself. And so, sadly, we see that, even while possessing the most abundance of human intelligence, still, that abundant intellect can be no substitute for one’s faith in GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com



LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website






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Friday, January 17, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 19, 2020

Over 227,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

SOLOMON’S PRAYER OF DEDICATION
(Solomon Seeks God’s Blessing)
(1 Kings 8:22-53)


   In the Hebrew, the word used for “hear” is “shama” (shaw-mah) and it means “to listen intelligently, carefully, and attentively”. Here in 1 Kings 8, verses 28-49, in Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the new Temple of GOD in Jerusalem, he uses the word “shama”, or, “hear”, 14 times. Also, in this prayer of dedication, Solomon uses the word “calach” (saw-lakh), which is translated “forgive” in the English, 5 times, and it means quite simply “to pardon, or spare”.
    Here is this passage, after honoring GOD, and thanking HIM for keeping HIS promises to his father David and himself, and, for GOD’s “presence” and “protection” (Vs.22-30), Solomon now prays to GOD in Heaven for “forgiveness” regarding many things (specifically 4 things) for his people, Israel. Here in this powerful petition Solomon prays for;

·         Forgiveness of all trespasses in general (Vs.31-32)
·         Forgiveness of past sins that caused defeat in battle (Vs.33-34)
·         Forgiveness of past sins that brought on drought (Vs.35-36)
·         Forgiveness of past sins that had brought on a variety of catastrophes such as famine, pestilence, and disease (Vs.37-40)

     Also, here in this passage (Vs.41-53) Solomon also prays for;

·          GOD’s acceptance of the prayers of believing foreigners (Vs.41-43)
·          GOD’s restoration of HIS people after sin’s consequences have run their course (Vs.46-51)
·          GOD’s special attention to all earnest prayers (Vs.52-53)
   
    Solomon, through his great wisdom, could foresee several situations in which Israel would have a “special need for confidence”, that, the LORD GOD would “hear”, and “answer”, her prayers. His charge to his people seems to link “two great truths” that even we who are currently living in this day and age, must abide by.
    One “truth” is that we live by “GOD’s grace”, and HIS promises have never failed us. That is the “privilege” that we enjoy as being GOD’s children. The second “truth” is that, our hearts must be totally committed to the GOD WHO never fails us and provides us with HIS grace. And we, as HIS children, must live and abide by HIS decrees, at all times. That is the “responsibility” that comes with the “privilege” of being GOD’s children, representing HIM on this earth.
    Solomon dedicated the temple standing outside the building’s holy areas that were reserved for the priests only. Although he was king, only the priests were allowed inside the “Holy” and “Most Holy Place” of the Temple. And so, Solomon stood before the bronze altar located in the inner courtyard outside of the Temple, where all the people of Israel could see, and hear him.
    Solomon stood with his arms lifted high toward the heavens, demonstrating the highest praise for GOD, with openness and surrender to the LORD. He spoke confidently to GOD about the nation of Israel, “requesting” and “believing” that the FATHER in Heaven hears and answers prayers. He quoted many Old Testament verses in his prayer of dedication, and he held Israel’s GOD up as being supreme and unique to all other gods in the surrounding pagan nations, as in fact, there was no other comparisons.
    Solomon clearly understood that a “spiritual” GOD (GOD is spirit) would not actually “physically” live inside the Temple. However, he confidently felt that any believer would be able to reach GOD through the Temple no matter how great a distance there may be between the believing petitioner, and the Temple itself.
    Today the believing community of GOD can always reach HIM through CHRIST JESUS, our LORD and proven SAVIOR. And whatever our failures may be, and whatever consequences may result, through repent and forgiveness, our FATHER in Heaven will always faithfully welcome us home.
    In the Hebrew the word used for “punishment is “anah” and it means “to afflict and oppress to a point of humbleness”. It is linked to terrible conditions such as “poverty” and “states of helplessness” or being “defenseless”. “Affliction from GOD” can also be viewed as “a gift” as it is intended to help GOD’s people “turn from their sins”. When we understand this, we will be able to say, right along with the psalmist in Psalm 119:71, that; “The suffering YOU sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to YOUR principles” (NLT).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com



LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



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Friday, January 10, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 12, 2020

Over 227,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

SOLOMON BLESSES THE PEOPLE
(GOD’s hand is at work for HIS people)
(1 Kings 8:12-21)

   There is plenty of archeological evidence that Middle Eastern kings collected vast amounts of gold for their personal use. There is also specific evidence of King Solomon’s lavish use of gold in his decorating and building of the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem.
    In 1 Kings 6, verses 20-21, and verse 30, based on the dimensions of the Temple that are given to us regarding the size of the inner sanctuary, Solomon used upwards of 25 tons of gold to overlay its entire interior. At today’s price of around 1400 dollars per ounce, the cost of overlaying the interior of the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem with gold, would come to a staggering 1.12 billion dollars!  
    After setting up the Ark of the Covenant in the inner sanctuary, the priests exited the Temple, and a cloud immediately filled the entire structure, indicating “the very presence of the LORD HIMSELF” (1 Kings 8:10-11). Solomon understood the significance of the cloud as being a visible manifestation of GOD, and it also indicated GOD’s personal approval of the work that he had done on this most holy and imposing edifice.
    Solomon understood that it would be impossible to actually, physically, build a structure that would be big enough, or, worthy enough, to be a “house for GOD” to abide in. However, he intended, through all of his extravagance, that it would be accepted by GOD, just as the Tabernacle built by Moses was, as a symbolic place where GOD’s magnificence and glory could be felt, or, spiritually experienced, by HIS people here on earth. Solomon says in verses 12-13 “O LORD, YOU have said that YOU would live in thick darkness. But I have built a glorious Temple for YOU, where YOU can live forever!”
    Here Solomon is saying that he wanted to always reflect GOD’s glory and magnificence in the Temple, in fact, “for as long as humanly possible”. He understood that he couldn’t build a box for GOD to reside in, but rather, the Temple was to be “a place where “GOD’s name” would be sincerely honored” forever (from generation to generation) (v.20b).
    In verses 14-21 Solomon turns and addresses the entire community of Israel with his blessings before the LORD. Here he expresses deep humility and thanks to GOD for HIS fulfillment of HIS promise to his father David that “one of his sons would build HIM a house” (v.19). GOD had been faithful, and Solomon glorified HIM for it.
    The Temple of the LORD was primarily a place for “Ark of the LORD’s Covenant” to be deposited and reside (v.21). It represented “the Throne of GOD here on earth” and it housed the Covenant promises of GOD to redeem HIS people. It is a vivid reminder of the direct connection between the “Mosiac” and “Davidic” Covenants that would be ultimately fulfilled by CHRIST JESUS some 900 years later.
   The timing of the dedication of the Temple during the “Feast of the Tabernacle” forever stands as a testimony to GOD’s faithfulness to those who choose to follow HIM into eternity.
However, Solomon took this opportunity to express his own personal testimony to GOD’s faithfulness, not only to Israel, but to him personally.
    Church history will forever reflect GOD’s faithfulness to HIS greatest creation, mankind. Even today, we as Christians can testify of GOD’s faithfulness to us as individuals, and, just like Solomon, we need to testify publicly, and then, actually show our gratefulness by reflecting JESUS’ human-life examples, through our behavior, to, and towards, each other. And just as Solomon blessed the people of Israel in his day, we too, can also bless GOD’s people in this, the twenty-first century. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com



LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



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Friday, January 3, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 5, 2020

Over 226,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

THE ARK BROUGHT TO THE TEMPLE
(GOD’s glory should overwhelm us)
(1 Kings 8:1-11)

   After King Solomon finished building the Temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, he brought all the gifts that his father David had dedicated before his death, and he stored them all in the Temple treasuries. He then summoned all the leaders of the tribes of Israel, and their families, and they all assembled there in Jerusalem.
    The leaders were instructed to bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant from its location in the “City of David” (the southeast section of Jerusalem), also called “Zion”, and place it in its new home in the Temple that Solomon had prepared. The priests and Levites carried the Ark on long poles, along with the Tabernacle and all of its sacred utensils, into the Temple.
    It was during the time of the “Festival of Shelters”, or, “Feast of Booths” in the early autumn (“Ethanim” the seventh month on the Jewish calendar), when they all gathered together to commemorate “the end of wandering in the wildernesses” by their ancestors.
    Then Solomon and the entire Israelite community paused and sacrificed an uncountable number of sheep and oxen before the Ark of the LORD, an event which likely took several days. King Solomon was known for his extraordinary methods of worshiping his LORD, the GOD of Israel.
    After the sacrifices were presented to the LORD, the priest carried the Ark by its poles into the “Naos”, or, “Most Holy Place”, the innermost part of the Temple, and placed it “beneath the wings of the Cherubim” as its permanent resting place. Scripture tells us that the carrying poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the entrance of the naos, but not from outside its curtains, which were used to separate the Most Holy Place from the rest of the Temple.
    At one time there were four objects inside the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:4), a cup of “the manna that fell from Heaven”, “Aaron’s blooming staff” (Numbers 17:10-11), and “the two tablets containing the words of the Ten Commandments”. However, now it appears that only the tablets on which Moses received the Ten Commandments remained inside the Ark.
   Solomon was undoubtedly one of the greatest rulers of his era, and in fact, perhaps of any era. His reputation was not gained by military conquests, as were other kings, and in fact, his entire reign was totally unmarred by war or military conflicts. Solomon’s fame came from his wisdom, which the LORD gave him, and this wisdom was the source of all of his wonderful creative vision, which resulted in all of his constructive accomplishments.
    In his day, the Temple that Solomon built for the LORD was one of the great wonders of the world. And in addition to his building prowess, he was also one of the most effective diplomats of any era in world history. During his reign, he dominated eastern trade routes and was the only Israelite king ever to launch a fleet of trade ships. His reputation for employing wisdom in the building and operation of his kingdom, caused other leaders, from all over the world, to seek his consultation.
    Despite Solomon’s worldly successes, he never forgot were his abilities came from. Even before GOD first appeared to him, he was already in the habit of lavishly offering literally thousands of “free-will” offerings (symbolic of dedication) to his GOD in Heaven. His wonderful prayer (1 King 8:22-53) at the dedication of the LORD’s Temple (which we’ll examine in a couple of weeks) demonstrates a profound insight into the nature of GOD’s relationship with those who believe in HIM.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com



LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


   

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