1 Kings 18:1-46
Big Idea
The story of 1 Kings 18:1-46 is a dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, with Elijah demonstrating the power of the LORD and the prophets of Baal failing to call down fire.
Commentary
The story begins with Elijah receiving a word from the LORD to show himself to Ahab, who is struggling with a severe famine in Samaria.
Obadiah, who is afraid of Ahab and Jezebel, is instructed by Elijah to tell Ahab that he is there.
Ahab meets Elijah and accuses him of troubling Israel, but Elijah responds by pointing out that it is Ahab who has abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.
Elijah proposes a test to determine which god is real, and the prophets of Baal fail to call down fire, despite their efforts.
Elijah then repairs the altar of the LORD and prepares a burnt offering, and fire from the LORD falls and consumes the offering.
The people acknowledge the LORD as God, and Elijah orders the prophets of Baal to be seized and killed.
Elijah instructs Ahab to go eat and drink, as rain is coming, and Elijah prays for rain, which comes with Ahab riding to Jezreel.
Claims
- The LORD is the one true God, and Elijah is his prophet.
- The prophets of Baal are false prophets who are unable to call down fire.
- Elijah's altar is built with stones representing the tribes of Israel, and the fire from the LORD is a demonstration of its power and Elijah's obedience.
- The people's recognition of the LORD as God is a turning point in the story, and Elijah's prayer for rain is answered, demonstrating the LORD's power and Elijah's faith.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
Elijah is a troublemaker who is causing problems for Israel
Correction
Elijah is actually a prophet who is trying to bring Israel back to the LORD.
Misunderstanding
The prophets of Baal are just as good as the prophets of the LORD
Correction
The prophets of Baal are false prophets who are unable to call down fire, and Elijah's altar is built with stones representing the tribes of Israel, demonstrating the LORD's power and Elijah's obedience.
Application Questions
- What can we learn from Elijah's confidence in the power of the LORD?
- How can we apply the lesson of the story to our own lives, where we may be struggling with doubts or fears?
- What does the story teach us about the importance of prayer and faith in times of need?
Acts 11:1-30
Big Idea
The Gentiles receive the word of God and are baptized with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that salvation is available to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Commentary
The apostles and brothers in Jerusalem are initially critical of Peter for eating with uncircumcised men, but he explains that he had a vision from God, which instructed him to do so.
The voice from heaven tells Peter to eat with the uncircumcised men, saying that God has made clean what was previously considered unclean.
The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles in Antioch, just as it did on the apostles at the beginning of their ministry.
The disciples in Antioch are first called Christians, indicating a new era of faith and community.
The church in Jerusalem sends relief to the brothers in Judea, demonstrating the importance of caring for one another.
Barnabas is a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and he exhorts the church in Antioch to remain faithful to the Lord.
A great number of people believe in the Lord in Antioch, and the report of this comes to the ears of the church in Jerusalem.
The hand of the Lord is with the disciples in Antioch, and they are able to preach the Lord Jesus to the Hellenists.
The Gentiles receive the word of God and are baptized with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that salvation is available to all people.
The disciples in Antioch decide to send relief to the brothers in Judea, demonstrating their commitment to caring for one another.
The church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch to investigate the report of the Gentiles receiving the word of God.
Barnabas finds the church in Antioch and is glad to see the grace of God, and he exhorts the church to remain faithful to the Lord.
Claims
- The Gentiles receive the word of God and are baptized with the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles in Antioch, just as it did on the apostles at the beginning of their ministry.
- The disciples in Antioch are first called Christians.
- The church in Jerusalem sends relief to the brothers in Judea.
- Barnabas is a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
- The hand of the Lord is with the disciples in Antioch.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The Gentiles are not receiving the word of God in the same way as the Jews.
Correction
The Gentiles are receiving the word of God and are being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Misunderstanding
The disciples in Antioch are not being faithful to the Lord.
Correction
The disciples in Antioch are being faithful to the Lord and are being exhorted to remain so by Barnabas.
Misunderstanding
The church in Jerusalem is not sending relief to the brothers in Judea.
Correction
The church in Jerusalem is sending relief to the brothers in Judea.
Application Questions
- How can we apply the principle of the Gentiles receiving the word of God to our own lives?
- How can we demonstrate our commitment to caring for one another, as seen in the church in Jerusalem sending relief to the brothers in Judea?
- What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and how can we experience this in our own lives?
- How can we be faithful to the Lord, as seen in the disciples in Antioch?
- What role can we play in sending relief to those in need, as seen in the church in Jerusalem?
Psalm 135:1-21
Big Idea
The psalm is a call to praise the LORD, highlighting his goodness, greatness, and past victories.
Commentary
The psalm begins with a call to praise the LORD, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging his greatness and goodness.
The psalmist highlights the LORD's past victories, including the defeat of Egypt and the conquest of Canaan.
The psalm contrasts the LORD with idols of the nations, emphasizing their inability to speak, see, or hear.
The psalm calls on the house of Israel, Aaron, Levi, and those who fear the LORD to bless the LORD.
The psalm concludes with a call to praise the LORD, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging his greatness and goodness.
The psalmist emphasizes the LORD's enduring name and renown throughout all ages.
The psalmist also emphasizes the LORD's vindication of his people and compassion on his servants.
Claims
- The LORD is good and great.
- The LORD has chosen Jacob for himself and Israel as his own possession.
- The LORD is above all gods.
- The LORD has past victories and signs, including the defeat of Egypt and the conquest of Canaan.
- The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands, and are unable to speak, see, or hear.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<The psalm is a call to worship the LORD, but it is not a call to conversion.>
Correction
The psalm is a call to praise the LORD, but it is also a call to acknowledge his greatness and goodness, and to recognize the futility of worshiping idols.
Misunderstanding
<The psalm is a call to praise the LORD, but it is not a call to action.>
Correction
The psalm is a call to praise the LORD, but it is also a call to action, encouraging the house of Israel, Aaron, Levi, and those who fear the LORD to bless the LORD.
Application Questions
- How can you apply the psalm's emphasis on the LORD's greatness and goodness to your own life?
- How can you use the psalm's contrast between the LORD and idols of the nations to encourage others to worship the LORD?
- How can you apply the psalm's emphasis on the LORD's past victories and signs to your own life, recognizing the LORD's power and sovereignty?
- How can you use the psalm's call to bless the LORD to encourage others to do the same?
- How can you apply the psalm's emphasis on the LORD's enduring name and renown throughout all ages to your own life, recognizing the LORD's eternal nature?
- How can you use the psalm's emphasis on the LORD's vindication of his people and compassion on his servants to encourage others to trust in the LORD?
Proverbs 17:12-13
Big Idea
The passage warns against the consequences of returning evil for good, highlighting the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
Commentary
The passage uses a comparison between a she-bear and a fool to illustrate the consequences of one's actions.
The she-bear is in a vulnerable state, having been robbed of her cubs, making her a sympathetic character.
The fool, on the other hand, is in a state of foolishness, making him a more relatable and understandable character.
The passage emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, rather than returning evil for good.
The consequence of returning evil for good is that evil will not depart from one's house, highlighting the idea that evil can become a persistent and entrenched part of one's life.
The passage uses the rhetorical marker "rather" to emphasize the contrast between the two scenarios.
The use of a she-bear and a fool as examples may seem unusual, but it serves to drive home the point that treating others with kindness and respect is essential.
The passage highlights the importance of considering the consequences of one's actions, rather than simply acting on impulse.
The contrast between good and evil is highlighted by the consequence of returning evil for good, emphasizing the importance of choosing good over evil.
The passage uses a simple and straightforward comparison to illustrate a complex idea, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
Claims
- If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
- Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
A she-bear is a symbol of evil, rather than a vulnerable creature.
Correction
A she-bear is a vulnerable creature, having been robbed of her cubs.
Misunderstanding
The fool is a wise and just person.
Correction
The fool is a person who is in a state of foolishness.
Application Questions
- What are some ways in which we can treat others with kindness and respect, even when they may not deserve it?
- How can we avoid returning evil for good in our daily lives?
- What are some consequences of choosing evil over good, and how can we avoid those consequences?