Monday, January 16, 2006
The Remnant-Solomon
Even though there was a dry spell of nearly four hundred years when God’s voice was not heard in Israel/Judah, God kept His remnant as the apple of His eye. “The Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.” ~Deuteronomy 32:9 How could this be? By the choice of God’s people to keep His Law as the apple of their eye. David, here in 1 Kings, “is admonishing his son, Solomon, to stay close to the Word of God, the Scriptures, the first five books of Moses.” {p. 82; Christianity Is Jewish} “That the Lord may establish his word which he spake concerning me saying, ‘If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart, and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel.” (2:4)
Solomon not only believed God exists, as Satan does; he knew in his heart that there is only one way to come to Him, trusting in God’s True Word, the promises kept and those yet to be glorified in earthly reality. Solomon’s Temple, not only a setting for upcoming events, not just the scene for “the central moment of history” when the Christ child would arrive, not a mere structure; it was understood to BE God’s DWELLING. What was most likely not at all known was the typology of its detail and furnishings. Many facets would turn out to be spitting images of the coming Savior. More on this later.
Mrs. Schaeffer’s enthusiasm pours off the pages as she marvels at the sight. These people have arrived in their promised land, the permanence shining off the golden walls and fixtures like a glorious transfiguration! The countless lambs and oxen were gathered. The ark being carried to its home in the holy of holies, was factually the most important item, the center of attention, the heartbeat of the seemingly breathing place. It contained the stone tablets holding the law, “the covenant which God had made with [their] fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.” (1Kings 8:9)
Why is it that so many warn against the worship of the Word in fear of raising it to savior status? Seems a silly warning. The Bible is so closely tied to the living God that it, in itself, is alive. Naturally, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit makes it so. But in ranking its status or de-ranking its central position, what are these Christians accomplishing? Isn’t it redundant to say, “The Bible won’t save you!” when the Bible claims Jesus Christ from cover to cover? It has blessed little to do with legalism. Just read it and you will quickly learn Christ’s salvation story debunks the Law’s claim that it can save. The Law condemns us, right? What a senseless worry…”Oh dear, we wouldn’t want the Bible to become too precious!” The Word is to be kept in our hearts, the very same way the ark was placed in the most protected holy of holies. Amen! To disregard it in any way is to demonstrate a lesser trust and faith in our Creator, Redeemer, Friend.
Solomon not only believed God exists, as Satan does; he knew in his heart that there is only one way to come to Him, trusting in God’s True Word, the promises kept and those yet to be glorified in earthly reality. Solomon’s Temple, not only a setting for upcoming events, not just the scene for “the central moment of history” when the Christ child would arrive, not a mere structure; it was understood to BE God’s DWELLING. What was most likely not at all known was the typology of its detail and furnishings. Many facets would turn out to be spitting images of the coming Savior. More on this later.
Mrs. Schaeffer’s enthusiasm pours off the pages as she marvels at the sight. These people have arrived in their promised land, the permanence shining off the golden walls and fixtures like a glorious transfiguration! The countless lambs and oxen were gathered. The ark being carried to its home in the holy of holies, was factually the most important item, the center of attention, the heartbeat of the seemingly breathing place. It contained the stone tablets holding the law, “the covenant which God had made with [their] fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.” (1Kings 8:9)
Why is it that so many warn against the worship of the Word in fear of raising it to savior status? Seems a silly warning. The Bible is so closely tied to the living God that it, in itself, is alive. Naturally, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit makes it so. But in ranking its status or de-ranking its central position, what are these Christians accomplishing? Isn’t it redundant to say, “The Bible won’t save you!” when the Bible claims Jesus Christ from cover to cover? It has blessed little to do with legalism. Just read it and you will quickly learn Christ’s salvation story debunks the Law’s claim that it can save. The Law condemns us, right? What a senseless worry…”Oh dear, we wouldn’t want the Bible to become too precious!” The Word is to be kept in our hearts, the very same way the ark was placed in the most protected holy of holies. Amen! To disregard it in any way is to demonstrate a lesser trust and faith in our Creator, Redeemer, Friend.
