Set in the 'fading light' of Jerusalem before the Fall, the book of Ecclesiastes captures the wisdom of Solomon for an audience struggling to find meaning in challenging times. Ness Hughes leads this series of devotionals through Ecclesiastes, which feels as relevant today in our culture as when it was first written.
Set in the 'fading light' of Jerusalem before the Fall, the book of Ecclesiastes captures the wisdom of Solomon for an audience struggling to find meaning in challenging times. Ness Hughes leads this series of devotionals through Ecclesiastes, which feels as relevant today in our culture as when it was first written.
Set in the 'fading light' of Jerusalem before the Fall, the book of Ecclesiastes captures the wisdom of Solomon for an audience struggling to find meaning in challenging times. Ness Hughes leads this series of devotionals through Ecclesiastes, which feels as relevant today in our culture as when it was first written.
Set in the 'fading light' of Jerusalem before the Fall, the book of Ecclesiastes captures the wisdom of Solomon for an audience struggling to find meaning in challenging times. Ness Hughes leads this series of devotionals through Ecclesiastes, which feels as relevant today in our culture as when it was first written.
Out of the gloom of the overarching judgment and condemnation of God’s people in Isaiah 1-12, there comes a bright ray of Hope. Though disaster seems certain, God will still show himself as sovereign and merciful. He will provide salvation for his people so that all nations will learn of his greatness.
So what Hope is there for Isaiah’s audience? It is the Hope of the Messiah, the Spirit empowered King who will unite and rule in righteousness and justice. In the midst of so much judgment, condemnation and conquest, this theme of Hope in the book of Isaiah is the golden thread we hold on to.
Isaiah is commissioned through a vision of God. He volunteers for the role of God’s messenger, only to learn that his words will be ignored by God’s people. But this ought not to overwhelm Isaiah because he is now on God’s side, anchored in Him instead of the people of Israel.
We enter the courtroom where God calls heaven and earth as witnesses against his people. He has acted as a good Father towards his people, raising and feeding them. But they have spurned his love, rejected his protection and rebelled against him. This searing indictment is aimed at persuading God’s people to turn back to him in repentance.
The book of Isaiah, so important to Jesus Christ’s self-understanding and mission, is best understood by paying attention to its historical setting. It is first of all a book of its own time, before it shines light on the mission and identity of God’s Messiah. It also has an important message for our time, reflecting its earlier settings.
The big picture of Israel’s decline presents a bleak picture of Israel and Judah stumbling into apostasy and refusing to turn back to God. Even Hezekiah, one of the comparatively better kings of Judah, displays a divided indifference towards his people’s relationship with God. The seeds of exile are beginning to grow and mature.
Syncretism— mixing true worship with false worship— was part of the beginning, the middle and the end of Israel’s decline into exile. But is it something that Christians need to defend ourselves against? We think of ourselves as far too sophisticated to worship more than one God at the same time. But syncretism is a very subtle thing— and worshipping God while sneaking a bit of idolatry in on the side is as subtle as it is deadly.
Israel’s decline, as God’s people go from the joyful rule of David to the bitter slavery of Babylon, is not just the story of king after king rejecting God. It is also the story of God’s prophets calling those kings, and calling all Israel, back to God. God sends prophet after prophet— but with little long term effect.
What are the sins behind Israel’s decline? There are many, beginning with Solomon’s lust, Rehoboam’s pride, and Jeroboam’s thirst for power. They are a slippery slope that leads dangerously into spiritual malaise, and ultimately to apostasy. The Christian may well take care to their own souls, ensuring that lust, pride and power do not find a home.
1 Kings 11 begins a new movement in the biblical narrative— from the monarchy to exile; from blessing under David and Solomon, to servitude as slaves under the rule of a foreign tyrant. This is the terrible Decline, which began in the latter part of Solomon’s reign but quickly gathered pace under Rehoboam.
The completion and dedication of the Temple marks Solomon’s greatest moment. The visit of the Queen of Sheba demonstrates his greatness across many fields, hinting at the blessing of all nations through God’s King. But then, very suddenly, compromise gives birth to decay. When Solomon had reached the top, there was only one way to go.
At the conclusion of the dedication of the Jerusalem temple, Solomon prays that God would hear the prayers of his people. God is near. He is among his people. And so, hearing their prayers, he will surely answer them.
The Temple is finally complete. It is the high point of Solomon’s reign and the national life of Israel. God’s covenant promises seem, at last, to have been fulfilled. God has his home with his people.
In 1 Kings 1-2 Israel’s first royal succession takes place. Transition has occurred and Solomon stands as the new King over Israel, universally acknowledged. But there is a problem. Something has been overlooked.
Psalm 24 sets us in our place as Creatures of the mighty Creator, unworthy to present ourselves on our own merit before God. Who, then, could possibly lead worshippers into God’s holy presence? Who is worthy of this royal task? God, himself, is the only one worthy as King to lead his people into worship
Psalm 23, although well known, is a constant source of refreshment and comfort. With God as our shepherd, we can be assured of our protection and our destiny.
Psalm 19 shows us that the testimony of the heavens is paradoxical. The testimony of the scriptures is perfect. And the testimony of David is that he is proven. In this, there is wisdom worthy of meditation in our hearts.
Psalm 14 initially seems to offer a very bleak assessment of the human condition. But, on reflection, we find that ‘the fool’ has a way out of darkness— offered by God in his kindness. He takes the initiative in saving all who call on him.
Psalms 9 and 10 are a pair which give voice to David’s urgent plea for help and for the rescue of the defenseless. He is assured by the character of God, and yet the wicked still seem to prosper. They are brazen in their rejection of God. Nevertheless God is shown to be the King, the defender of the fatherless and the one who brings justice.
