April 18 - Morning
"Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. ... When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, and they brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites carried them up,...
The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim...When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple."
- First Kings 8:1-4, 6, 10-11
- First Kings 8:1-4, 6, 10-11
The Ark is Set in Solomon's Temple
The temple was completed in the eighth month (Bul, Oct/Nov) of Solomon’s eleventh year as king according to 1 Kings 6:38, but it appears Solomon waited until the following year in the seventh month (Ethanim, or Sept/Oct.) to officially bring the Ark of the Covenant up onto the Temple Mount from the City of David. (See Solomon offer sacrifices there in the City of David in 1 Kings 3:15 after returning from offering sacrifices at the high place of Gibeon, 1 Kings 3:2-5). David had kept the Ark in the tent that he had set up in Jerusalem to house the Ark. The eleven month wait may have been to prepare the organization of the Temple services and the priesthood, but also, it may have been to wait for the Feast of Tabernacles (Feast of Booths or Ingathering) which is observed in the seventh month (Lev. 23:34; Deut. 16:13-15).
The Ark of the Covenant was the only thing that had not been built or constructed by Solomon’s men. The Ark dated back to the days of Moses, everything else was new. Although, the text does say that when the priests and Levites brought the Ark, they also carried up to the Temple Mount “the tent o meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it.” This must refer to David’s tent since the original Tabernacle had been burned at Shiloh. The furnishings would include the sacred objects used to worship in David’s tent there in the City of David. Of course, it is possible that some of these items could have been salvaged from the Philistine’s destruction of Shiloh.
When the Ark of the Covenant was placed in its location in the Most Holy Place, and after the priests had left the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place, the Lord entered Solomon’s Temple. The Lord has now entered the Temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem just as the Lord had entered the tabernacle (Exodus 40:33-35) in the wilderness after Moses had successfully finished setting up the tabernacle and all the furnishings.
Shamayim (Hb) – Heavens (Eng) – shamayim is the Hebrew word for “heavens,” “the heavenlies,” and “sky.” In Deuteronomy 4:17; 28:12; and 2 Samuel 18:9 shamayim is where birds fly or the atmosphere of earth exists. But, in Genesis 1:14; Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 34:4 shamayim is where to sun, moon and stars are placed. Shamayim is also used to refer to the abode of God in Psalm 2:4.
The New Testament says that believers in Jesus Christ have the presence of the Lord and they are the temple of God.
I will live in a way that honors the presence of the Lord.
I will allow the Lord's presence to manifest in my life.
I will live in a way that honors the presence of the Lord.
I will allow the Lord's presence to manifest in my life.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
To be a good spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend
Church
Outreach
Nation
IPERS
World
China, PRC
Someone to Quote
"Our reading of the gospel story can be and should be an act of personal communion with the living Lord."
- Archbishop William Temple
- Archbishop William Temple
Something to Ponder
Adoption – This is the act of God’s grace in which believers become sons of God. The Greek word huiothesia is used in Romans 8:15,23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; and Eph. 1:5 and indicates a total break with the old family and the establishment of a new family relation that includes all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that come with the family position
(see John 1:12).
Here’s a Fact
Jeremiah was forcibly taken to the city of Tahpanhes in Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah in 586 BC recorded in Jeremiah 40:5; 41:1-3 and 43:5-7. Jeremiah predicted Babylon’s overthrow of Egypt in Jeremiah 43:8-11 (also predicted by Ezekiel 29:19 and 30:10) while residing in Tahpanhes, Egypt. Secular historians ridiculed the scriptures since according to other historical documents never recorded Nebuchadnezer’s invasion of Egypt, let alone his entering Tahpanhes and conquering Egypt. But, a broken cuneiform tablet confirms Nebuchadnezzar’s military campaign in the 37th year of his reign, or 568 BC. Excavations at Tahpanhes revealed 3 cuneiform inscriptions of Nebuchadnezzar’s and a large castle identified as Pharaoh’s House where Jeremiah buried stones under the pavement in the courtyard. (Details 1, 2, 3, 4)
Proverb
"The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives."
- Proverbs 18:7
- Proverbs 18:7
Coach’s Corner
Consider this: Could you be the answer for the prayer you have just prayed? Do you have the resources or the ability to do what you just asked God to do?
1 Kings 3:2-5
New International Version (NIV)
2 The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. 3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
New International Version (NIV)
2 The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. 3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Leviticus 23:34
New International Version (NIV)
34 “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.
____
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
New International Version (NIV)
The Festival of Tabernacles
13 Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. 14 Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. 15 For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.
New International Version (NIV)
34 “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.
____
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
New International Version (NIV)
The Festival of Tabernacles
13 Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. 14 Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. 15 For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.
Exodus 40:33-35
New International Version (NIV)
33 Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
New International Version (NIV)
33 Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Ephesians 4:27-30
New International Version (NIV)
27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
New International Version (NIV)
27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Joshua 5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.
4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.
9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.
The Fall of Jericho
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
New International Version (NIV)
5 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.
4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.
9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.
The Fall of Jericho
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Psalm 51
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
5
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
14
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
18
May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
5
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
14
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
18
May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Psalm 17
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1
Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2
Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.
3
Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.
4
Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
5
My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
6
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
9
from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10
They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11
They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12
They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13
Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14
By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15
As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
____
Psalm 35
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 35
Of David.
1
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2
Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.
3
Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”
4
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
5
May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
6
may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7
Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
8
may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
10
My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.
12
They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
13
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14
I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
15
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.
16
Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.
17
How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
19
Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20
They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21
They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22
Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord.
23
Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24
Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me.
25
Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26
May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28
My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1
Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2
Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.
3
Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.
4
Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
5
My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
6
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
9
from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10
They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11
They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12
They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13
Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14
By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15
As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
____
Psalm 35
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 35
Of David.
1
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2
Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.
3
Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”
4
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
5
May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
6
may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7
Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
8
may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
10
My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.
12
They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
13
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14
I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
15
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.
16
Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.
17
How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
19
Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20
They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21
They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22
Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord.
23
Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24
Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me.
25
Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26
May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28
My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.