Friday, February 28, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday March 1, 2020

Over 231,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

A CALL TO ACCOUNTABILITY
(Warning of the coming judgment)
(Amos 5:18-26)

   The events in the Book of Amos take place during one of the most prosperous times in northern Israel’s history. Their dynamic King, Jeroboam II, had led the nation to successful victories over their hostile neighbors in war, and as a result, had won control of the lucrative trade routes that now poured tremendous wealth into Samaria, northern Israel’s capital.
    It was a golden age for the wealthy who built grand homes and proud public facilities near the worship centers of Bethel and Dan. Even the fertile land of northern Israel presented bumper crops, year after year, in those days. Unfortunately, beneath the glitter, glamor, and prosperity of this golden society, lay the dark tragedy of social injustice and economic disparity.
    The rich in Israel, at that time, had little regard for GOD, nor, any of HIS sacred laws. The poor in Israel, were mercilessly oppressed by merchants who regularly used unjust weights and measures in the marketplace, and, by the judges (“dayyaneh Gezeloths”) in the court system, whose justice was for sell to the highest bidder.
    And so, it is against this backdrop of “prosperity” and “wickedness”, that we find the Prophet Amos, a farmer from nearby Judah, being called by GOD to deliver a series of resounding messages to his wayward kinsmen of northern Israel. In this deeply penetrating prophesy, Amos exposes the very underbelly of this, seemingly, upright society.
    Here in Amos chapter 5, we see a continued denunciation by GOD, through Amos, of the legal injustice that is being perpetrated by “robber judges” who sold their court decisions to the wealthy, and, against Government workers who overtaxed the poor. Here Amos also cites the landlords who overcharged for rent in subpar housing, while all the time they claimed to be children, or followers of GOD. All this displays the kind of “religious hypocrisy” that we still see in today’s society (Vs.10-13).
    In verses 14-15 we see that the possibility still exists for the people of Israel to separate themselves from these evil practices. Here Amos urges them to repent and begin to do that which is good and just and right in the eyes of the LORD. However, history now tells us that they, instead, chose to continue on in their sin and revelry.
    In verses 16-17, Amos concludes this, his third message of his prophecy to northern Israel, by returning to his opening plea, and reminding the people of the severe death penalty that is inevitable, if they failed to heed GOD’s warnings.
    Over in the New Testament, JESUS was still warning the people of Israel to discontinue the “hypocrisy” of “religious pretense” and “public show” (playing church) that had become so deeply engrained in their worship services in the church (Matthew 6:5-8, and Matthew 23). Here in verses 21-24, we see Amos reminding the Israelites of that same fatal flaw.
    Like the Christian Church today, the Israelites of the 8th century B.C., and in the 1st century, had developed a tendency to live in “religious hypocrisy”. GOD’s anger has always been directed largely at those of us who choose to live in such a manner. It is this kind of “empty worship” that GOD simply will not tolerate, and especially from Church leadership.
    GOD makes it quite clear, throughout the history of HIS Word, that HE strongly detests our “showing off in public”, while continuing to live an unGODly life in private. HE will not ever accept our tithes and offerings, and nor will HE accept our hymns of praise, and in fact, songs from the disobedient are like “noise to HIS ears and HE simply will not even listen to such “melodic hypocrisy”. Amos tell us here that GOD, instead, wants to see “a mighty steam of justice” flowing from among us, and a “river of righteous living” that will never run dry (Vs.23-25).
    Money and riches are not intrinsically evil. However, too often wealth promotes “self-indulgence”, and makes us “indifferent” toward others. Remember, JESUS, WHO was GOD’s greatest human representative on earth, ever, also preached and clearly understood the dangers of prosperity better than anyone ever has. HE taught that, the more we gain in life, the more we need GOD, not the opposite. When the Israelites were poor, they were humble and full of worship. However, the fuller their pockets became, the emptier their worship became.
    To go with everything in life, we need GOD, and with wealth and prosperity, we need HIM all the more. It is very possible to be wealthy, and also have a heart for GOD, and King David, the first GODly king of Israel, stands as a wonderful example of this. However, history also tells us that “most people refuse to pursue, both, GOD, and money. In fact, it is overwhelmingly proven throughout world and Church history that most people will choose “empty worship and prosperity”, over GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


 


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Friday, February 21, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 23, 2020

Over 230,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

EVER-PERSEVERING PETITIONS
(Teaching about prayer)
(Luke 11:5-13)

    In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11, verses 5-13, JESUS gives us two parables that teach us that prayer grows out of a persistent, experiential relationship with GOD. In verses 5-8 HE teaches us a “good lesson” by using the “bad example” of a man who does not want to be bothered, and who refuses the petition of a neighbor because he felt that it was too late at night for someone to come calling for a favor.
    Here JESUS states: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, “A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat”. He would call out from his bedroom, “Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can’t help you this time”. But I tell you this_ though he won’t do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what want so his reputation won’t be damaged” (NLT).
    JESUS goes on to say: “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door in opened to everyone who knocks (Vs 9-10) (NLT).
    JESUS then shows the contrast of the ways of a loving GOD, WHO wants us to pray to HIM, no matter what time it is, or how many times we need to ask. Here JESUS is encouraging us to be persistent, not in order to change GOD’s mind, but rather, as a way of being steadfast in praying, so that we might receive our every need.
    In verses 11-13 JESUS gives us a second parable in the form of a question, in an attempt to teach us that GOD gives HIS children “what they need”, and not necessarily “what they want”. Here JESUS says to the fathers who are present, and, who are responsible to lead their families in prayer: “You fathers, if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!”  “HE goes on to say, If you sinful people know how to give gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask HIM”.
    We can always rest assure that GOD will grant, through prayer, all of our needs, simply because HE knows what they are, and HE knows that “our needs can never harm us”. However, on the other hand, GOD often does not grant some of the things we want, simply because, oftentimes, those very same things will harm us, even though we may not think so at the time. On those occasions when our “wants” and “needs” are one and the same, GOD is more than happy to grant our petitions. HE will always grant that which is good for HIS children, and always decline to grant those things that are not.
    However, JESUS reminds us in verse 13b that, the greatest gifts that GOD can bestow upon anyone is the gift of “salvation” and “the HOLY SPIRIT” through CHRIST JESUS our LORD. And with that in mind, let us, at all times, be inspired to continue to go to the LORD in prayer, and quite literally, we must do so, without ceasing, because, if we are honest with ourselves, our need for GOD, will never cease.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



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Friday, February 14, 2020

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 16, 2020

Over 229,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

KINGDOM-SEEKING PRAYERS AND FASTING
(Pray to live as citizens of GOD’s coming Kingdom)
(Matthew 6:9-18)

   In the previous lesson (Matthew 6:1-8) we addressed the subject of “having the correct attitude towards giving sacrificially” to GOD, and, to each other as Christians living here on earth, under GOD. We have to be “spiritual minded” if we are to truly “follow JESUS” into eternity.
    Most people today are more interested in “playing church” than they are in “building GOD’s Church in their hearts”. They are satisfied with living life as “hypocrites” before men, seeking earthly accolades and rewards for what they do publicly as a means of “self-promotion”. In the previous passage JESUS warned against “giving for the purpose of promoting one’s self”.
   JESUS also warned us in the previous passage about praying as hypocrites pray, desiring only to “pray in public” while our private life is totally absent of any communications with GOD, whatsoever (Vs.5-7). As I stated last week, “the effectiveness of prayer” is based on “the righteousness of the petitioner”. And so, here in verses 9-13, JESUS takes time out to address the request from HIS disciples, “LORD, teach us how to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). What we’ll now do, is learn what is encompassed in this brilliant “blueprint” on how we, as CHRIST-followers, should present our petitions before GOD.
    However, before we get into details, there are certain general facts that should be noted. First of all, this passage represents a guideline by which we should pattern our daily prayers, and is indeed, a petition guide that only a true disciple of GOD can follow consistently. By that I mean, only a person who is truly committed to GOD can pray this prayer with any meaning, or effectiveness.
    This is not a “child’s prayer” per-say, as it has often been stated in our society, but rather, it is a prayer for those who have reached an age of accountability. It is only out of the heart of a person who is truly committed to GOD, that this prayer can realize its full meaning and effectiveness. And with that said, let us now analyze this terse, but brilliant petition guideline that was handed down to us by CHRIST JESUS that day, on the slopes of the Mount of Beatitudes, in far-off Palestine.
    The first line of our prayer should identify WHO it is addressed to, and that of course is; “Our FATHER WHO art in Heaven”. Next, we see the proceeding three lines in this blueprint acknowledges GOD the FATHER and HIS glory; “Hollowed be THY name. THY kingdom comes. THY will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven”. These kind of statements express how blessed the name of the LORD is, and our desire for earth to reflect the ways of GOD’s Kingdom, and, they express our personal desire for this earthly realm to become 100% obedient to GOD the FATHER, just like it is in heaven.
    And so, we see that, in our prayers, we must first acknowledge GOD the FATHER as being in the supreme place in our hearts, and, in HIS universe. This must be done before we turn to ourselves, and our own needs, which GOD already knows about anyway (v.8). Only when GOD is given HIS proper place in our lives, will everything else in our lives fall into place.
    Then, the next three lines in this blueprint have to do with our needs. They deal with “the three essential needs” of all mankind, be they rich or poor, and no matter what their race, creed, sex, or national origin may be. These three essential needs are “maintenance of life”, “forgiveness”, and “help with temptation”.
    These three lines also deal with the three spheres in time through which every man, woman, and child must travel, “the past”, “the present”, and, “the future”. “GOD the FATHER” assigns HIMSELF with the task of providing for our “presence” (our daily bread), GOD the SON, JESUS CHRIST, has the task of “forgiving our past” through HIS vicarious sacrifice (forgiveness of our sinful past), and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is assigned with the task of leading and guiding us into a future of obedience to GOD.
    The whole GODHEAD is busy watching over us, every second of every day, and so, here in this passage JESUS is saying that, the whole GODHEAD, or “TRINITY”, must be acknowledged in our daily prayers. “Give us this day our daily bread” turns our thoughts to “GOD the FATHER”, our CREATOR and constant SUSTAINER of all of life. This line brings our needs of “the present” to the Throne of GOD.
    “And forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors” turns our thoughts to “GOD the SON”, our LORD and SAVIOR, and GOD-appointed, ultimate JUDGE. This line brings our “past” before the Throne of GOD. And finally, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” turns our thoughts to “GOD the HOLY SPIRIT”, our GOD-appointed COMFORTER, STRENGHTHENER, and GUIDE. This line commits our “future” into the hands of GOD.
    And so, we see in this “prayer blueprint” from JESUS, that, HE is actually teaching us how to lay “the present”, “the past”, and “the future”, at the mercy and grace of GOD in Heaven, in our prayers. Here HE, quite literally, instructs us on how to bring “the whole of life” (the present, the past, and the future) to “the whole of GOD” (GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT), and “the whole of GOD, to “the whole of man”.
    Prayer should never be an attempt to “bend the Will of GOD”, but rather, it should always be aimed towards “submitting ours wills” to “the Will of GOD”. And then we should “fast” on a regular basis, to teach us how to maintain discipline and self-control over our own bodies, minds, and “human spirits”, willing to sacrificially “give up” for while, even the two things that we “need” to sustain life (food or water).
    Giving up porn, the internet, shopping, TV, cell phones, etc. is not “fasting”. We don’t need those things to live anyway, and so those things are not necessary to maintaining life. True fasting is being willing to give up for a period, “things that we need”, not “things that we greedily, or sinfully desire”. We have to train ourselves how to “eat to live”, rather than to “live to eat”, and how to “give” and “give up” for each other, as JESUS “gave” and “gave up” for us.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website





     
     
   
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Friday, February 7, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 9, 2020

Over 229,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

GOD-HONORING PIETY
(JESUS’ teaching about giving to the needy, and prayer and fasting)
(Matthew 6:1-8)

   If a man goes his own way, he will automatically drift farther and farther away from GOD, and in the end, the gulf will have become so wide, that GOD will have been reduced to a distant, obscure figure of which he once knew, and then, wishes only to avoid.
    The Christian reward can only be realized by going the way of CHRIST JESUS. HE has shown us in 100% human foam, the only way to GOD the FATHER in Heaven. There is no other way by which we can be saved. And as an extra measure of assistance, JESUS then sent us the HOLY SPIRIT to teach each generation all things about HIM (John 14:26). It is a blessed assurance that we can forever rely upon in this life.
    In the middle of JESUS’, now famous, “Sermon on the Mount”, HE attempts to show HIS followers, just who we need to impress, in order to receive those rewards from GOD that are “everlasting”. In this passage, Matthew 6, verses 1-8, JESUS begins HIS teachings on two very important issues concerning the “Christian Walk”. Here HE addresses the kind of “attitude of spiritual mindedness”, that, HIS “true followers” are required to have, and, maintain.
    Two very important attitudes, that must be synonymous with the Christian lifestyle, are;

·          Having the correct attitude towards “giving”
·          Having the correct attitude towards “prayer”

    In the biblical Greek, the word used for “hypocrites” is “hupokrites” (hoop-ok-ree-tace), and it describes “one whose whole life is a piece of acting”. In this passage JESUS urges HIS followers not to let hypocrisy define their daily walk. HE also urges them to NOT be seekers of “the rewards of men”.
    In verses 1-4, JESUS, first of all, addresses the subject of “giving”. Here HE admonishes us to be careful not to do our good deeds “only in public”, just to be seen by men. When we give to those in need, we shouldn’t go around announcing and talking about it, “blowing our own horn” and “calling attention to ourselves”.
    The motive of “self-promotion” is “the wrong attitude” by which to give. Anyone who helps someone simply to gain accolades and awards from men on earth, has nothing to look forward to from GOD in Heaven. JESUS says, we should not let our right hand know what our left hand is doing. Any gift given in secret, for a GODly cause, is a gift-giving action that will be rewarded by GOD in Heaven, WHO “always sees you”.
    In verses 5-7, JESUS issues another stern warning for us, and that is “to NOT pray as hypocrites do”. Here JESUS says that hypocrites love to pray in public so that everyone can see and hear them pray, and those same people are the very ones least likely to pray to GOD “humbly” in private. Here JESUS also admonishes us “not to babble on and on with long drawn-out, repetitive prayers”, as if we are trying to demonstrate “who can pray the longest”. There can be no “prideful” “prayer competitions” before GOD, only before man.
    GOD already knows our needs, even before we ask, and in fact, HE’s the ONE WHO gives us those needs before we utter a single word. GOD wants us to rely on HIM, and so HE created us to have a need for HIM “like a child needs a parent”. In fact, we’ll never come to GOD if we don’t believe that we need HIM.
    Our prayers only need to be “earnest”, and “from the heart”, and, “faith based”. For these reasons, they don’t have to be long, and nor do they have to be public to get GOD’s attention. “The effectiveness of prayer” is based on “the righteousness of the petitioner” (James 5:15-16). We must learn to honor GOD with piety. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website









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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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