INTRODUCTION Solomon was set up on a throne like a new Adam, but like Adam he seized the forbidden fruit of foreign women, and fell from his throne. Before chapter 11 is over, Solomon is trying to kill Jeroboam, making him a Cain as well as a fallen Adam. As at the beginning of his reign, Solomon faces three challengers to his throne (Adonijah, Joab, Abiathar; Rezon, Hadad, Jeroboam). The second time around, he cannot control his rivals, and loses... Read more
1 Kings 10:4-5 The glory and prosperity of Solomon?s kingdom is particularly on display at his table. Back in 1 Kings 4, the abundance of the table of Solomon is a sign of the prosperity of the whole kingdom. The joy of his table represents the joy of his whole kingdom. And here, as we have seen, the Queen of Sheba is particularly struck by the order and beauty of Solomon?s banquet. This scene is a perfect type of the... Read more
Proverbs 1:8-9 What is your goal as parents? There are of course many ways to answer that question, but one central biblical answer is that parents aim to train their children in wisdom. This is a central thrust of the Proverbs, which are addressed from a father to a son, and are designed to give wisdom and discernment to the son. That is one of the commitments made in baptism. You are swearing publicly that you will raise Zacharias in... Read more
The Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem a skeptic. She had heard about Solomon?s wisdom, but she could not believe that the stories were true. She found the stories were untrue, not because they exaggerated Solomon?s wisdom and wealth, but because the stories were guilty of understatement. ?It was a true word that I heard in my own land about your words and wisdom,?Eshe told Solomon, ?yet I did not believe the words, until I came and my eyes saw... Read more
INTRODUCTION What is known as the ?Regulative Principle of Worship?E(RPW) is one of the distinctive emphases of Reformed liturgics. Though this is variously formulated and understood, it boils down to the principle that worship must be biblical. We are called to worship God in a way that is pleasing to Him, and we know what is pleasing to Him in worship from studying His revelation in Scripture. Formulated in this way, the RPW is a fundamental principle of worship. Scripture... Read more
In his fine little book The Bible and Liturgy , E.H. van Olst briefly describes the liturgical renewal among Dutch Calvinists in the early 20th century: “Among Protestants it was J.H. Gunning and A. Kuyper who, at the turn of the century, called for renewed study of the liturgy. Gunning, on grounds of Scripture, took issue with the Zwinglian character of the worship service: the virtual absence of adoration, the neglect of the sacraments, and the view that the sermon... Read more
Putin had a shrewd comment about the outcome of the election: “If Bush wins, then I can only feel joy that the American people did not allow itself to be intimidated, and made the most sensible decision.” What message would have been sent if the US had pulled a Spain and turned Bush out of office? Fortunately, all we can do is speculate about that. Read more
Now the queen of Sheba heard the hearing of Shlomoh to the name of Yahweh And she entered to test him in riddles. And she entered Jerusalem with a retinue of very great glory Camels carrying Balsam-oil And gold, a very great amount And stone rare And she entered to Shlomoh And she spoke to him all which was with her heart. And Shlomoh told to her all her words There was not a word hidden from the king Which... Read more
INTRODUCTION 1 Kings 10 continues to show the ambiguous character of Solomon?s reign. On the one hand, Solomon attracts the notice of Gentile rulers who seek to learn wisdom. On the other hand, Solomon continues to violate the laws of kingship by multiplying gold and guns. Corruption is spreading in the kingdom, and it will eventually lead to an explosion that will divide Israel in two. THE TEXT ?Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon... Read more
The proposition: We tell stories only because God is Triune. The argument: 1) A story depends on an initial breach. There must be something to separate from, and something separating. There must be some move that takes hero from the father?s house and into his own adventures. 2) Otherwise, what we have is stasis and not story. There is no story if the hero doesn?t DO something. And once he does something, there is a move away from the origin.... Read more
Leithart
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