TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 18:1-28
Do not be afraid . . . I am with you. - Acts 18:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to the United Nations, a “mega-city” has ten million or more inhabitants. In 1950, there were two such cities, New York and Tokyo. By 2005, these two were joined by eighteen others, including Mexico City, Beijing, and Moscow. Clearly, the world's population is shifting toward cities. Paul understood the strategic importance of cities, and focused on urban centers such as Corinth and Ephesus, knowing that the gospel would spread to outlying rural areas.

Corinth attracted the wealthy, the powerful, the exotic . . . and the immoral. Every night, 1,000 temple prostitutes descended into the city. After difficulties in Macedonia, Paul faced even greater opposition in Corinth. This explains the repeated encouragement he received. First, he met faithful believers such as Priscilla and Aquila. Second, Silas and Timothy brought good news from Thessalonica and financial gifts. Even the Jews' rejection of the gospel was tempered by Titius Justus's hospitality and the conversion of Crispus, the synagogue ruler. Yet the greatest encouragement came from the Lord Himself, who assured Paul in a vision.

We find yet another encouragement from the proconsul Gallio. Judaism was considered legal in the Roman Empire, so Jews in Corinth wanted to show that Christianity wasn't part of Judaism, and so it was therefore illegitimate. But Gallio dismissed the case, even before Paul could speak! In essence, Gallio declared that religious matters weren't state affairs, a decision that helped the gospel spread.

Paul's vow may have concerned God's protection while he was in Corinth. After cutting his hair, he would take it to Jerusalem as a thank offering. So he left Priscilla and Aquila, who were joined by a Jewish believer named Apollos. We don't know what exactly was deficient in his teaching—perhaps he didn't completely understand the full significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. Priscilla and Aquila's discretion and Apollos's teachability resulted in an effective minister, both in Ephesus and Corinth.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The reputation of ancient Corinth was so bad that “to corinthianize” meant to commit sexual immorality. If ever there was a city that seemed beyond reach of the gospel, it was Corinth. Yet a thriving church was indeed planted in Corinth. This should quicken us to pray for cities with similar reputations, perhaps Las Vegas or Bangkok. Consider also praying for those students pursing a Master of Arts in Urban Studies at Moody Graduate School. May the Lord grant them vision and courage!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 19:1-41
The province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. - Acts 19:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Psychic Web sites are apparently big business. Dona Murphy was spending up to $1,000 a month to find out her future online. Dona isn't alone. There's a growing problem with “prediction addiction.” From Internet fortunetellers to good luck charms, the occult is often quite profitable. Just look at the Ephesians' sorcerers (v. 19) who burned magic scrolls worth 50,000 drachmas. One drachma was worth one day's wage, so with a $20,000 annual salary, that's several million dollars!

Today's passage shows Paul's wisdom in targeting large cities. Thousands visited the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. After two years in Ephesus, the gospel had spread throughout the province of Asia. The church in Colosse (about 150 miles from Ephesus) was planted by Epaphras, who was most likely converted by Paul in Ephesus.

The rest of today's passage might be summarized as a “power encounter” between the gospel and the occult. Because Ephesians specialized in magic objects, God allowed Paul's handkerchiefs and rags to have unusual healing power. The name of Jesus can never be reduced to a magic formula, as the sons of Sceva painfully found out. Even demons know that invoking the Name of Jesus is only possible by those who personally know Him.

The real “show down,” occurred between the gospel and the local idol-makers. Although Demetrius was worried about the bottom line, he shrewdly appealed to the honor of Artemis to stir up the crowd. And it worked! Wisely, Paul's friends kept him from the mob, no doubt sparing his life.

God used another Roman official for His purposes. The city clerk made four key points: first, Ephesus's reputation was secure; second, Gaius and Aristarchus were innocent; third, any other grievances should go to judges or the city council; and, fourth, a riot could cause trouble with Rome. Such level-headed thinking enabled the gospel to advance in and around Ephesus.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Ephesus was in bondage to the occult . . . probably not too much different from many of the cities in which we live. Horoscopes are prevalent in newspapers or grocery store check-out counters, and psychics are used to help solve crimes. Prayerfully conduct an honest inventory of any way the occult might be in your own life. Renounce and get rid of such things as good luck charms or horoscopes. Consider also how you might help others to see the danger of magic or the occult.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 20:1-38
I have fought the good fight. - 2 Timothy 4:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Toward the end of his life, missionary-explorer David Livingstone wrote, “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply acknowledging a great debt we owe to our God, which we can never repay? . . . It is emphatically no sacrifice. Rather, it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, danger, foregoing the common conveniences of this life—these may make us pause and cause the spirit to waver and the soul to sink, but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing compared with the glory which shall later be revealed in and through us.” The apostle Paul understood this sentiment well.

Following the riot in Ephesus, Paul traveled to Macedonia, encouraging believers along the way. Another plot on his life forced him to backtrack to Troas. Here we get a wonderful glimpse of life in the early church.

Because Sunday was a regular workday, believers met early in the morning for worship and then regathered for teaching and fellowship after a long workday. This explains why the teenager Eutychus fell into such a deep sleep . . . a day of hard labor and a hot, smoke-filled room could make anyone doze off! Likely, it was Luke who confirmed that Eutychus was dead. But God had other plans, and in another “mark of a true apostle” (2 Cor. 12:12), Paul resuscitated the young man.

Leaving Troas, Paul and his team eventually arrived in Miletus, where Paul was able to say farewell to the Ephesians' elders with whom he had no doubt spent much time during his long stay in Ephesus. Paul's humility and honesty in this address is remarkable.

Clearly sad to say goodbye, Paul also knew that he had faithfully ministered to the Ephesians. Now the time had come to entrust these leaders to the Lord's care and to urge them to persevere in their calling. Those final moments together must have been gut-wrenching.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
David Livingstone and Paul clearly understood that suffering for the gospel was a privilege. For many of us, it's easy to lose sight of this. Our society tries to avoid pain and values comfort and ease. Yet the book of Acts challenges this mindset. Perhaps we need to buy less expensive items or forego some purchases altogether so we can give more to Christian ministry. Or perhaps we need to be willing to experience rejection by standing up for the truth of the gospel in an age of pluralism.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 21:1-36
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. - 1 Thessalonians 5:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
In February 2006, a White House report praised faith-based organizations for their response to Hurricane Katrina. A section entitled “What Went Right” listed several examples, including 6,000 Southern Baptist Relief volunteers from 36 states who set up mobile kitchens and shelters; Operation Blessing which provided food, shelter, and grants of $4 million; and Christ in Action which repaired over 500 houses.

This outpouring of aid gives some insight into Paul's desire to help the Jerusalem church. He not only longed to see financially stable churches help financially needy ones, he also desired unity between Gentile and Jewish believers. This explains his urgency to go to Jerusalem.

Having arrived in Tyre, the team “sought” out disciples, suggesting that Paul and the others knew that a church existed in Tyre, but didn't personally know any believers there. Notice how close these two groups of believers became in one week!

Next, the group stopped in Caesarea. Although Philip's daughters were prophetesses, it was Agabus who warned Paul of what lay ahead in Jerusalem. The Spirit was graciously preparing Paul for the suffering that he would experience and had so warned him on numerous previous occasions. Thus, it seems that the well-intentioned believers in Tyre went beyond the Spirit's warning by urging Paul not to go (v. 4).

Once in Jerusalem, Paul was warmly received, as was the financial gift from the Gentile churches. The Jerusalem church's request of Paul and his willingness to comply shows how earnestly both James and Paul desired unity between believers.

Ironically, just when Paul was demonstrating compliance with Jewish law, fanatical Jews falsely accused him of violating those very laws. Persuaded that Paul had defiled the temple, this mob would have killed him if not for the Roman commander. The shouts of “Away with him!” eerily echoed a similar mob who had shouted “Crucify Him!” about 25 years earlier.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
William Barclay once said, “The man who is in the family of the church has friends all over the world.” We see this demonstrated in Acts 21. Everywhere Paul and his team went, they were encouraged by Christian fellowship. We need to make genuine fellowship a priority, despite busy schedules and seemingly endless to-do lists. Take some time this week to touch base with a brother or sister in Christ. Ask the Spirit to show you whom you might invite over to your home or out to lunch after church this Sunday.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 21:37-22:29
Hate evil, love good; maintain justice. - Amos 5:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
A surprising turn of events is occurring in China. For years persecuted Christians silently suffered government opposition. Yet recently a new generation of lawyers and civil rights leaders, many of whom are Christians, are pressuring the Chinese government to abide by religious freedom laws often touted by officials. The Bible urges Christians to stand up for justice.

Because governments have been established by God (Rom. 13:1), it's right to hold them accountable for maintaining justice. We see this in today's passage. Had Paul not stood up for justice, his life could have been jeopardized and the advance of the gospel hindered.

Recall from yesterday's study that Paul narrowly escaped death at the hands of an angry mob. Paul was rescued by a Roman commander who remarkably allowed him to address the jeering crowd.

Paul began his speech by stressing how zealous he had been for the law. The fact that he once persecuted Christians showed that his conversion and call were only possible through divine intervention—a light from heaven. Paul's emphasis on Ananais's devotion to Jewish law showed that a highly respected Jew, not some Gentile, had been instrumental in sharing with Paul God's vision for his future.

The crowd was tracking fairly well until Paul mentioned a vision in the temple (not recorded in Acts 9) in which Jesus directed him away from Jerusalem to the Gentiles. Upon hearing this, they wanted to blot out his very existence (22:22). Throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air indicated horror over perceived blasphemy.

Paul was again “rescued,” but only so that he could be interrogated by means of severe torture. Flogging was so brutal that a person could be crippled for life or even die. It was entirely right for Paul to seek justice here. Not only did he protect himself, but he also protected the Roman commander, because it was illegal to bind or beat a Roman citizen. Being found guilty of doing so could result in execution.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In the next few days, we'll consider some aspects of the relationship between the state and the Christian. In today's passage, we see that the state's role is to protect its citizens and the rights accorded to them. Just as Paul stood up for these rights, so too must Christians, especially Christians living in oppressive countries. Tomorrow, we'll see that the state isn't competent to rule on religious matters and transgresses its boundaries when it denies religious freedom. A helpful passage in this regard is Romans 13:1-7.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 22:30-24:27
There is . . . no plan that can succeed against the Lord. - Proverbs 21:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
At five feet tall, William Wilberforce didn't strike many as a force to be reckoned with. Considering his poor eyesight, ill health, and a reputation for overindulgence, few could imagine that he would bring down the profitable British slave trade. For eleven long years, Wilberforce argued eloquently and persuasively against slavery, persevering through serious illness and vicious opposition. Drawing upon the Bible and Christian friends, including John Newton (author of “Amazing Grace”), Wilberforce prevailed, and slavery was abolished in 1807.

Centuries earlier, another short, unimpressive-looking man with poor eyesight also prevailed against formidable opponents, including Felix, one of Palestine's most brutal procurators.

Given the mob's fury (see yesterday's study), the Roman commander kept Paul in custody as much to preserve his life as to figure out what to do with him. Ananais's rage against Paul (23:2) demonstrated that he considered it blasphemous for a Jew to proclaim Jesus' resurrection. Perhaps Paul momentarily lost his temper by rebuking Ananais, but interestingly, Ananais did indeed die violently some fifteen years later.

Paul wisely introduced the real question at hand: the Resurrection. Immediately, the Sanhedrin was divided because Sadducees denied the Resurrection and Pharisees fervently affirmed it. So great was the ensuing turmoil that Paul had to be rescued again!

If legal means couldn't kill Paul, maybe a murder plot backed by an oath might do it. With such opposition, no wonder the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision (24:11). We might wish Luke had given more details about Paul's nephew, but God's providence in leading this young man, the centurion, and the commander to protect Paul is clear enough. No doubt Tertullus was one of Jerusalem's best lawyers, yet he was no match for Paul, who brilliantly refuted the charges against him and, ultimately, against religious freedom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul said, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (24:16). Unlike Felix, whose brutality and lust were well known, Paul could stand blameless before Jewish religious leaders and Roman officials. This should encourage us to take seriously Peter's exhortation to keep “a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:16). A life well-lived is often one of the clearest defenses of the gospel.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 25:1-26:32
I am sending you to them to open their eyes. - Acts 26:17-18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Columnist William Safire once described the “calculated ambivalence” of Fuller Warren, Florida's governor in the 1950s, who ran for office when counties were voting whether to permit the sale of liquor. “Asked for his position on wet-versus-dry, he would say: ”˜If by whiskey you mean the water of life that cheers men's souls . . . then put my name on the list of the fervent wets. But if by whiskey you mean the devil's brew that rends families . . . then count me in the ranks of the dries.'” As we'll see, King Agrippa also engaged in some similar calculated ambivalence.

Felix was so brutal that he was recalled to Rome and was replaced by Festus, who was apparently a good governor. He got down to business on his third day in office. Notice that after two years, the Jewish rulers' fury against Paul still raged. Their “favor” (25:3) would have meant Paul's unofficial death sentence.

Although the serious (but false) charges against Paul aren't listed here, Paul's response suggests perceived violations against Jewish law, the temple, and the emperor. By appealing to Caesar, Paul, in essence, declared his innocence and his belief that a fair trial was only possible in Rome, not Jerusalem. Considering that the Caesar in question was Nero, this is astounding! We know from historians that early on, Nero let his former tutor, Seneca, conduct most official business.

Herod Agrippa II was king in name only. Too young to rule when his father died (see Sept. 14), the kingdom was governed by the Romans. Among other indiscretions, he and his sister Bernice lived together incestuously.

What a contrast between royal purple robes and the Roman official's red robes, and the humbly clad Paul! It's understandable that a practical politician like Festus might think Paul was crazy, but Agrippa knew a lot about the prophets and Jewish law. His “calculated ambivalence” revealed just how uncomfortable he felt by Paul's bold question.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage is the third time we've read Paul's testimony. Each time, it's been slightly different. Before the Jewish crowd, Paul showed that he hadn't ceased being Jewish by following Jesus. Before Agrippa, he focused on his obedience to the heavenly vision (26:19). Take some time to write out your own testimony. Then pray that you'll be ready at any time to share it, knowing that the Spirit might lead to you stress different aspects of your conversion with different individuals.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 27:1-26
Three times I was shipwrecked. - 2 Corinthians 11:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
The acts of heroism that occurred on September 11, 2001, are poignant. Certainly Todd Beamer's courage has inspired millions. Yet his bravery was part of a life fully committed to the Lord. A dedicated husband and father with a demanding career, he also invested in others as a Sunday school teacher and youth group leader.

His heroic actions on that September morning flowed out of years of faithful choices. This same fully integrated life was evident in Paul. Sometimes people miss the fact that the church's greatest theologian was also a calm leader in the midst of crisis.

Following Paul's appeal to Caesar, the rest of Acts focuses on his journey to Rome. Paul earnestly desired to minister in Rome, because he knew that this great city was the key to bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 ).

Acts 27 and 28 contain some of the most detailed accounts of sea travel in ancient writings. These passages reveal how careful a historian Luke was. In 1848, James Smith, a Fellow of the Royal Society, published The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul. Having spent years investigating ancient seafaring and retracing Paul's journeys, Smith commended Luke: “No sailor would have written in a style so little like that of a sailor; no man not a sailor could have written a narrative of a sea voyage so consistent in all its parts, unless from actual observation.”

Paul's warning (v. 10) came from the lips of one who had logged at least 3,500 sea miles, just based on what's recorded in Acts. The Day of Atonement fell on October 5 in A.D. 59, the most likely year in which these events took place. Sailing in the Mediterranean was perilous during the winter months, so even a forty-mile trip from Fair Havens to Phoenix could be treacherous, as indeed it turned out to be.

Rather than an “I told you so,” Paul's comments in verse 21 no doubt gave validity to his strong encouragements during the rest of the storm.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We tend to think of Paul as a leader only in the church, but today's passage shows his leadership in “secular situations” as well. Because his faith was fully integrated into all his life, he was able to minister anywhere that the Lord put him. Like Todd Beamer, Paul exhibited the same trust in the Lord whether he was in a house church or on a storm-tossed ship. This encourages us to ensure that who we are on Sunday morning is no different from who we are on Monday morning.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 27:27-28:10
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. - Isaiah 43:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
During the worst storm that he had ever encountered, John Wesley was sure that the ship carrying him from England to North America would sink. He had never known such fear. Yet to his shock, a group of Moravian Christians were singing hymns and praising God throughout the storm's worst. Their unshakable faith was a major factor in Wesley's own conversion.

Similarly, Paul's confidence in God's protection must have uplifted the terrified passengers. His insistence that they eat something gave them the nourishment they needed to make it to shore. And, in fulfillment of God's promise to Paul, all 267 passengers survived.

One look at a map shows God's hand in this shipwreck. Malta is the only island in a large, open stretch of sea between Tunisia (180 miles to the south) and Sicily (58 miles to the north)! Although Malta was a common shipping stop, Paul's ship landed on a remote part of the island, explaining why the crew didn't recognize it (27:39). This also explains the comment about the islanders' unusual kindness. Although they probably didn't speak Greek, these islanders knew that wet individuals standing outside in late autumn needed a fire!

Once again, we see Paul's reaction to a “secular situation”—like everyone else he was out gathering firewood. There's a bit of humor in today's passage. Whereas the people in Lystra first worshiped Paul and Barnabas as gods and then tried to kill them (see Acts 14), the Maltese first assumed Paul was condemned and then thought he was a god!

Although Malta wasn't on Paul's itinerary and he was forced to spend the winter there until another boat could be obtained, we see how well he took advantage of this time. His compassionate healing of Publius's sick father extended to the rest of the island. We can be sure that Paul also preached the good news of Jesus to these individuals. The grateful islanders returned the favor by ensuring that the crew had supplies for the rest of their trip.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God doesn't promise to protect us from life's storms, but He does promise to be with us and to use us wherever we end up. Rather than resisting “stops” that weren't on our itinerary, let's learn from today's example and commit to minister wherever the Lord places us. Perhaps you feel marooned in a frustrating job or abandoned by family or friends. Ask the Lord for a greater awareness of His presence, and pray for the Spirit to show you how you can serve and be a vessel of His love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 28:11-31
What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. - Philippians 1:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
As a poor tinker, John Bunyan probably never imagined what part books would play in his life. His wife's dowry comprised only two books, but these Puritan writings were key to his conversion. Bunyan was an influential lay preacher until he was arrested in 1660 for not being part of the official Church of England. Little did he realize that his greatest legacy would be the numerous books he would write in prison, including the classic, Pilgrim's Progress.

We saw yesterday how Paul used his unexpected time in Malta. Today we'll see this same fruitfulness during two years of “house arrest” in Rome. This was also most likely when Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

It's hard to imagine how touched Paul was by the unexpected sight of believers from Rome coming to meet him (v. 15). His gratitude was as much for God's faithfulness thus far as it was for these faithful believers.

Although under arrest, Paul lived in his own place and received visitors freely. We can only imagine what those Roman soldiers—chained to Paul's wrist for four-hour shifts—must have heard!

Paul lost no time reaching out to Rome's large Jewish population. As with previous encounters, however, Paul soon experienced opposition. Yet “some were convinced” (v. 24), indicating a number of conversions. Even so, Paul looked to Isaiah 6:9-10 to explain widespread Jewish unbelief. His rebuke, however, doesn't indicate an end to his efforts to evangelize Jews. The “all” whom Paul welcomed (v. 31) included both Jews and Gentiles.

From the perspective of the gospel's advance, the ending of Acts makes sense. From the center of the Roman Empire the gospel could now spread to the ends of the earth. Yet this ending leaves many unanswered questions! Most scholars believe that Paul was released at the end of the two years, only to be re-arrested and executed sometime before A.D. 68.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“The abrupt ending leaves us with the challenge and opportunity to allow the Spirit to write the next chapter in the book of Acts today in and through us!” writes Bible scholar Lloyd Ogilvie. We hope that this month's study has prompted you to prayerfully consider the part you might play in this “next chapter.” We've studied many accounts of sharing the gospel, from Peter and Paul to Priscilla and Tabitha. God seeks to use each of us to further His kingdom for His glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 1
Wisdom and knowledge will be given you. - 2 Chronicles 1:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch was sitting outside on his porch in a small Southern town when a local judge stopped by. The judge asked him to serve as the defense lawyer for an African-American man charged with rape. Atticus agreed. That decision, the key moment in the novel, exposed him and his children to ridicule, hostility, prejudice, and even physical attack. Atticus, one of the most respected characters in literature, made it because key principles of justice and racial equality were at stake.

In today's reading, Solomon also had a difficult decision to make. The Lord appeared to him and offered him anything he wanted—what should he request? Perhaps this offer can be regarded as God's “coronation gift” to the young king. It was also a test, which he passed: instead of asking for riches or success, he humbly asked for the wisdom to carry out his God-given responsibilities (v. 10).

This opening chapter also highlights the need for a temple. At this time, the ark of the covenant was in Jerusalem but the tabernacle and altars were at Gibeon. This was an awkward and even sinful situation, not in line with the Law. Solomon's temple would restore things to the way God had designed. That's why Bezalel, the lead craftsman in the construction of the original tabernacle, is mentioned prominently (v. 5).

This month's book study of 2 Chronicles complements the study of 1 Chronicles from last July. Tradition identifies Ezra the priest as the writer of both books, though no author is identified in Scripture. He wrote to encourage and exhort the Jewish exiles who had returned from captivity and who were rebuilding their lives and nation. Much of the material retells narratives also found in 1 and 2 Kings, but was adapted or supplemented for a different audience and historical context.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
By asking God for wisdom first, Solomon showed where his heart's treasure lay, that is, in which direction his deepest desires pointed. How about you? What's your most valued treasure? By what “true north” does your heart set its compass? Would those around you know it from your actions? Say with the psalmist: “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God . . . Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Ps. 84:2, 10).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 2
Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God and to dedicate it to him. - 2 Chronicles 2:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
The St. Lawrence Seaway was one of the major building projects of the twentieth century. This intricate system of locks, dams, and canals stretches 2,300 miles, and together with the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, it connects middle America with the Atlantic coast. Starting as long ago as 1680, various businesses and government bodies worked on the project. When completed in the mid-1800s, the canal was only four meters deep, not enough for oceangoing ships. Eventually, Canada and the United States cooperated on the modern version, completed in 1959. More than two billion tons of cargo worth more than $400 billion move through the St. Lawrence Seaway every year.

Solomon had the help of his father David in preparing for the monumental project of building a temple for the Lord, the spiritual climax of the golden age of Israel. Even with his father's preparations, though, the task must have been daunting. So when he took the first step toward actually doing it, God encouraged him with a positive response. He wrote a letter to King Hiram of Tyre, requesting materials and workers for the project. Hiram agreed to his proposals and sent the master craftsman Huram-Abi, born of parents from both countries, to oversee the labor. In the parallel stories of temple and tabernacle, Solomon is implicitly compared to Bezalel and Huram-Abi to Oholiab. Most commentators interpret Hiram's letter as using standard cultural expressions, but it's possible that he was also a follower of the true God.

It seems clear that God wanted to keep His global plan for all nations in view. Though Israel was the “chosen nation,” there was no problem with the involvement of “unchosen people” in building His temple. The art, architecture, and building materials of foreigners would be woven into the project. For his part, Solomon kept God's infinite greatness in view, recognizing the inadequacy of any structure to contain the Almighty (v. 6).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If Solomon's elaborate preparations for the temple seem far removed from your situation, we have a suggestion: Prepare for your Sunday church service in the same worshipful spirit. If dashing out the door juggling keys and kids' Sunday school papers sounds familiar, perhaps you need to think the process through more carefully. What might you do to more effectively prepare your heart and mind—and the hearts and minds of your family and friends—to meet with the living God?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 3:1-5:1
Who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? - 2 Chronicles 2:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
When the Jewish exiles returned under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, one of their first orders of business was to rebuild Solomon's temple. Unfortunately, they had neither the resources nor the manpower to rebuild it on its previous grand scale. When the foundation was laid and dedicated, in fact, happiness and sadness were mixed. On that day, many people shouted with joy and thankfulness, but there were also many who wept because they remembered the glory of the old temple. By comparison, the smaller new one illustrated how far the nation had fallen (see Ezra 3).

These returned exiles made up the original audience for 2 Chronicles. The story of Solomon and the temple was not to them a curious bit of history, but a vital link to their spiritual heritage and identity. That's why a strong sense of history permeates the narrative. The temple's location, Mount Moriah, was where tradition says that Abraham offered up Isaac (Genesis 22). Solomon also knew it as the place where David's prayer to stop a plague was answered (1 Chronicles 21). The two pillars, “Jakin,” meaning “he establishes,” and “Boaz,” meaning “in him is strength,” served as reminders of the covenant (3:17; cf. Deut. 26:18-19; Rev. 3:12). The twelve bulls symbolized the twelve tribes, and were arranged as the Israelite camp had been during the Exodus (4:4; Numbers 2).

Huram-Abi and the other craftsmen did their work faithfully and artistically. Building the temple took seven years, which, considering that it was not really a very large structure, shows that much care was taken in the creation and construction of every detail. In the end, the main building measured 90 by 30 feet, plus a portico of 105 by 30 feet. So, if a building can't contain God, why all the effort? Building the temple was an act of worship, showing the heart of the king and the nation. The temple would remind them of God's glory and their covenant relationship with Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Speaking of the temple, do you have a special place for meeting with the Lord? If not, pray for Him to show you one. It might be a spot in a forest or on a beach, or perhaps a special room in your house that catches the morning light just so, or perhaps an out-of-the-way nook where no one ever comes. While we know that we can worship God anywhere, the atmosphere of a particular place can spiritually influence and prepare our hearts and minds.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 5:2-6:11
I will be their God, and they will be my people. - 2 Corinthians 6:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Most people like to keep some record of their journeys through life. Some write in personal diaries. Others put together photo albums or take up scrapbooking. Some use video cameras and software to create home movies—an update on the vacation slide shows of a previous generation. Others collect souvenirs and knick-knacks from their worldwide travels. Then there's everyone's favorite, the Christmas newsletter, in which (ideally) the major events of a given year are summarized in a burst of conciseness and creativity.

The objects placed in the ark in today's reading similarly served as records of the journey of the nation of Israel. The two tablets of the Law were reminders of the Mosaic covenant and God's faithful covenant love. You may have heard that a pot of manna and Aaron's rod (that budded) were also in the ark at some point, but this is uncertain. Hebrews 9:4 seems to indicate so, but Numbers 17:10 puts Aaron's rod in front of the tabernacle. Perhaps these tokens were in different places at different times, and they appear to have been lost by Solomon's day. Even so, the people would have remembered them as symbols of God's miraculous care and provision.

The dedication of the temple took place in 959 B.C. during the Feast of Tabernacles, a harvest festival (Lev. 23:34-43). This weeklong feast also commemorated the Exodus. Solomon made sure the entire occasion was invested with both solemnity and joy. All the key leaders were present and every part of the nation was represented. The priests and Levites had consecrated themselves and been assigned specific duties. Sacrifices were offered, accompanied by prayers, congregational worship, and music. The king pronounced a formal blessing. God's covenant with David was invoked as a key link in the chain of history (see 2 Samuel 7). The descent of God's glory on the temple signified His presence, approval, and guidance, just as it had with the tabernacle so long ago (5:13-14; Ex. 40:34-38).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The two tablets of the Law from Mount Sinai that were placed in the ark functioned as physical symbols and reminders of Israel's spiritual history. No doubt you also have spiritually meaningful papers or objects around your home—for example, a framed baptismal certificate, or a bookmark from a church missions conference, or a photo of your small group having a picnic in the park. Give thanks for these occasions to remember and use them to reflect on God's guidance in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 6:12-42
Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive. - 2 Chronicles 6:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
Prayer works—and as of early 2007, we now have an academic's word for it. David Hodge of Arizona State University undertook “A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer” in cases of people with medical or psychological problems. Looking at seventeen research studies that have been done on this topic to date, he concluded that the evidence suggests that “prayer offered on behalf of another yields positive results . . . This is the most thorough and all-inclusive study of its kind on this controversial subject that I am aware of. ”

Yes, God answers prayer. We knew this before Dr. Hodge's study, and Solomon certainly knew it many centuries ago. His prayer of dedication for the temple, which began with thankfulness for God's covenant promises, mainly consisted of petitions for significant areas of the nation's spiritual life (cf. 1 Kings 8:23-53). These included requests for His continued faithfulness, His special attention to prayers offered from the Temple, His forgiveness, His justice, and His favor and blessing. A thread runs through this prayer that when bad things happened to Israel, the cause would be sin. So when Solomon prayed about military defeat, he asked the Lord to forgive when the people repented. And when he prayed about famines and plagues, he again asked the Lord to forgive when the people repented. When he prophetically prayed about captivity, he did the same. No doubt Ezra intended verses 36-39 to be an extra exhortation to the returned exiles! Thematically, the cycle of sin and forgiveness is illustrated throughout the rest of 2 Chronicles.

A substantial theology—that is, picture of God—can be found in this prayer. He is infinite and transcendent, but also personal and relational. He makes and keeps promises. He is just and holy. He controls the events of history. He mercifully forgives sin. He has a plan for the nations that includes answering the prayers of foreigners and spreading His glory worldwide (vv. 32-33).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Solomon's prayer demonstrated his familiarity with God's Law. Why not imitate his example and compose a “Scripture prayer collage”? A “Scripture prayer collage” is a prayer that you would like to pray, written not in your words but in words drawn straight from the Bible. Many of our traditions honor spontaneity in prayer, and there's certainly a time for that as well, but today let your words dwell in the Word. Your verbal collage will not only express your heart, but as God's Word, it will change your heart, too.