Old Testament reading: 1 Kings 7
“But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house.” This introduction to 1 Kings 7 seems to be set in contrast to the last line of chapter 6 where, speaking of building the Lord’s house it reads, “So he was seven years in building it.” However, there is no later evidence or mention of any difficulty in the difference in construction time. The language of 1 Kings 9:10 indicates that Solomon did not start construction of his own house until after the house of the Lord was completed. 1 Kings 7 provides incredible detail into the exquisite craftsmanship that went into every detail of the temple and its furnishings. Solomon spared no sweat or expense to construct a physical house worthy of representing the God of heaven. We would do well to be reminded of this in our own attitudes toward the temple of God today. No amount of sweat or expense should be considered too great in the awesome undertaking of advancing the kingdom of God.
New Testament reading: John 10-11
Continuing our theme of conditional promises, today’s reading includes a passage not unlike the one featured in yesterday’s reading, though not as well known. John 10:28 is often cited as a proof text of the impossibility of apostasy, more commonly known as “once saved, always saved.” In fact, it teaches nothing of the sort. The text promises eternal life and assures that one will never perish or be plucked from His hand. However, like John 8:31-32, there is a condition attached to the promises. The condition? Hearing Jesus’ voice and following him, just like the condition of “if you continue in My word” in John 8:31. The promises? Receiving eternal life and being protected from falling away. Both promises are conditional. Jesus does not promise the unconditional security of the believer, but the conditional security of those who hear his voice and follow him of their own volition and free will. If one discontinues hearing Jesus’ voice and following Him, he will end up lost. In these and other cases, reading the verse before and/or the verse after helps solve much of the confusion created by those who teach and uphold error.
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