June - Reading 5

Good afternoon once again -

The Scriptures of our scheduled reading today are:

Luke 1:67-80

Ephesians 3:1-13

Psalm 119:33-40

1 Kings 8

May God bless you as you continue to read from His Word.

 

Good evening -

Our reading tonight in 1Kings tells of the events involved in the dedication of the temple built by Solomon. Solomon's prayer indicates a number of things, just a few of which I wish to point out.
First, you'll notice in verse 8:27-30 that Solomon recognizes that even though God agrees to dwell within the temple, God cannot be contained within any structure. Also in these verses it is cited that believers would face the direction of the temple when praying in a remote location (30). Solomon also recognizes in verse 41-43 that foreigners would know of God's Greatness and come to pray at the temple. Chapter 8 ends with the 14 day festival that followed the dedication. This was a seven day period of temple dedication followed by the Feast of the Tabernacles.

In Luke we read the song of Zecharia, a prophecy that he exclaimed when his tongue was loosed. Luke 1 contrast the characters beautifully. The age of the women, the attitudes of Mary and Zecharia, and the purpose of the two infants.

In Ephesians tonight we read of the revelation of the church to Paul. The joining of the Gentiles to God was as old as Genesis 12:3, but the equal partnership as heirs with the Jews was new to mankind as was revealed through Christ.
I like Paul's humble attitude in verse 8. Paul never seemed to stop marvelling that he, a great persecutor of Christians, became such an important agent in the establishment of the churches.

May God bless you

- Clint

[ June 05, 2003, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]

 

Sundays School Lecture 9/5/04 conclusion

Luke 1:67-80 Zechariah's Prophecy

After his wife in verse 41, Zechariah becomes the second prophet of the new age as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. This Passage is the second of four songs in the birth narratives and is given the title "the Benedictus" in accordance with the opening word in the Latin Vulgate. This prophecy opens with the nationalistic hope of Israel as would be found in the Messiah. He was "their God" and they were "His people." Since 63BC they had hoped for deliverance from the Romans in the form of a reestablishment of the throne of David. The prophets in accordance with the promise made to Abraham had spoken this promise. Since the time of the first deportment by the Assyrians in 2Kings, the Jews had been subject to the dominance of world powers: the Babylonians, Persians, the Greeks in the time between the Testaments and now Rome.

In verse 76, "Prophet of the Most High" should be contrasted with "Son of the Most High" in the oracle to Mary in verse 32. In this way Luke makes it clear that John's role is subordinate to Jesus'.

In verse 76b the prophecy moves to a new level beyond the nationalistic hope. We now see that John's mission is to give knowledge of salvation to his people. In verse 79 Luke first indicates a theme that runs prominently through this Gospel. Those who "sit in darkness" is easily interpreted as the Gentiles. The Messiah is to guide His people into the way of peace, not national liberation as the Jews had anticipated.

The chapter concludes with John growing, becoming strong in spirit and living in the wilderness. Some have conjectured that Zechariah and Elizabeth died before John went to the wilderness due to their advanced age. In either case it was here that John would begin his ministry and fulfill the role of the one crying out the coming of the Messiah.

 

Luke 2:1-20

Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 119:41-48

1 Kings 9-10

 

Our Scripture for June 6 will be:

Luke 2:1-20

Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 119:41-48

1 Kings 9-10

 

Our Scripture for June 6 will be:

Luke 2:1-20

Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 119:41-48

1 Kings 9-10

 

Our Scripture for June 6 will be:

Luke 2:1-20

Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 119:41-48

1 Kings 9-10

 

Our Scripture for June 6 will be:

Luke 2:1-20

Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 119:41-48

1 Kings 9-10