Bible Reading Challenge - Episode 102 - 1 Kings 6-10, Proverbs 2

What was the high point of Israelite history? For many, it was the early days of Solomon’s reign. This time of great wealth and honor was quite impressive for the little Kingdom. Suddenly it seems to have been the center of the world, with the nations coming to give honor the LORD and his anointed king, just as prophecies laid out would be the fulfillment of God’s purposes in the world. The Temple was built and completed, and God promised to put his Name there forever.
Sadly, there have been many chapters since then. Lots of betrayal and abandonment towards the Lord. Lots of punishment from the Lord, successful only in bringing about small times of contrition.
While it is sad, it isn’t unfortunate. The insufficiency of Solomon’s reign resulted in a perfect man coming to fulfill what Solomon could not. It is only because of the failure of those who came before that the coming of Jesus accomplished what it did.
Don’t miss the former times, the times when things we easier, when you had more money and comfort, when you had more friends. These things do not save. It is God alone who saves. Put your trust in him rather than friends, family, or fortune. That is where true eternal joy lies.

[@Agben35]

Let’s do this! Wow, never realized 480 years of gap between Egypt and the Temple…. Thinking about the US being only 250 yrs old….and the changes within that time, how different Israel and Israelites must have been from the predecessors.