Week of August 14, 2016: Poetry and Wisdom

Bible Passage: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61

Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are three books spanning nearly 200 chapters of the Bible. This week’s study follows the stories of David and Solomon, the primary writers of these books.

The Book of Psalms, a collection of 150 songs meant for prayer and praise, has helped believers throughout history express themselves in worship.

Wisdom comes from God. Solomon could have asked God for anything, and he asked for wisdom. God made Solomon the wisest man who had ever lived, and people came from all over to listen to his wisdom. He also wrote the Book of Proverbs, which offers practical advice for living wisely. Solomon ruled Israel with great wisdom, but he still turned away from God and pursued His own desires.

Israel needed someone greater than Solomon. God’s plan included someone greater than Solomon. “Something greater than Solomon is here!”. Jesus not only taught God’s wisdom, He displayed it perfectly.

Finally, the Book of Ecclesiastes also works to provide wisdom and knowledge to God’s people. Ecclesiastes addresses the reality of fearing God in a world heavily affected by sin.

When reading Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, remember that these books are the inspired words of God. The wisdom offered is not merely a suggestion for living; it is part of God’s plan for our sanctification. God wants us to be like Jesus—in how we live, how we speak, and how we think. We attain wisdom by knowing and loving the One who became God-
given wisdom for us, Jesus Christ.

Week of August 7, 2016: Solomon’s Sin Divided the Kingdom

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 11–12

Big Picture Question: How did God punish King Solomon’s sin? God divided Israel into two kingdoms.

Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61

Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

King Solomon loved God. He received wisdom from the Lord and was dedicated to building His temple. But early on, we see hints that Solomon’s heart was not completely devoted to God. He married foreign wives who turned Solomon’s heart away from God. Solomon abandoned what he had believed. Israel had a history of turning away from God, and Solomon was no exception.

God was angry with Solomon. He had warned him twice not to turn to false gods. God planned to punish Solomon’s sin by taking the kingdom away from his family. God was going to take the kingdom from Solomon’s son Rehoboam—every tribe except for one. God graciously left one tribe for Rehoboam, keeping the promise He made to David.

God raised up enemies against Solomon. God set apart one of Solomon’s servants, Jeroboam, to become leader over 10 tribes of Israel. When Solomon died, all of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam their new king. They asked Rehoboam to lighten the burden of service Solomon had given them, but Rehoboam refused. In fact, he promised to make their work even harder.

Israel rebelled against Rehoboam and made Jeroboam king. Only the tribe of Judah stayed with Rehoboam. So the kingdom was divided into two kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom was called Israel and was ruled by Jeroboam; the Southern Kingdom was called Judah and was ruled by Rehoboam.

Israel rebelled against Rehoboam and made Jeroboam king. Only the tribe of Judah stayed with Rehoboam. So the kingdom was divided into two kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom was called Israel and was ruled by Jeroboam; the Southern Kingdom was called Judah and was ruled by Rehoboam.

Week of July 31, 2016: Solomon Built the Temple

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:1–8:66

Big Picture Question: What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.”

Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61

Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

When David was king, he wanted to build a temple for God, but God did not allow him to. “When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:12-13). God said King David’s son would build the temple.

The temple was impressive. The entire interior was cedar. King Solomon had everything covered with gold. In all, it took seven years for the temple to be completed. Inside the temple was furniture and accessories.

Solomon recognized that God is not confined to a temple. “Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built” (1 Kings 8:27). Solomon’s prayer and speech to the Israelites was followed by a great offering to God.

The temple was where God met with His people, and it gave God’s people a more permanent place to worship Him. The priests followed specific instructions to approach God on behalf of His people. Jesus changed everything when He died for our sins on the cross. By taking our sin upon Himself, Jesus made the way for sinners to come to God.