Living Room Study

1 Kings 8

“May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our ancestors.  May He never leave us or abandon us.  In this way He will incline our hearts toward Him, so that we live according to His ways, and observe his commands, laws and rulings which He ordered our fathers to obey.” 1 Kings 8: 57-58

British reformer and politician, John Bright, once wrote that when “sallying-forth” in the morning, he did not have to choose between wearing trousers or a shirt.  “Decency,” he continued, “has joined trousers and shirts.” 

Speaking of the sanctity of the marriage union, Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” Matthew 19:6  But this principle of “joining together” also applies to the study and expression of theology…especially to the teaching about God’s character and His ways.  Christians have a tendency to stress one aspect of God’s character at the expense of another, and so risk riding-off half clothed.  In this refusal to accept the whole counsel of God, we create our own doctrinal “graven images”.

Solomon’s prayer is theologically corrective, because it shows us how we must hold the truths about God in a “holy tension”.  As “trousers & pants” cannot be separated and remain decent attire for a gentleman rider, so we must keep together what God has revealed about Himself, Biblically.  Here are some of the (seemingly contradicting) complimenting attributes of God, revealed in Solomon’s prayer.

Clarity and Mystery: God shrouds Himself in “thick cloud”, yet reveals Himself through His Word.  He satisfies our need for both clarity/certainty, and mystery. (v.v. 1-13)

Fidelity and Expectancy: Because God has faithfully held us in the past, we do not fear for the future.  (v.v. 14-26)

Immensity and Intimacy: Solomon acknowledges God is in Heaven (which cannot contain Him) and yet exhorts Israel to pray towards the Temple.  God is both uncontainable AND accessible.  (v.v. 27-30)

Severity and Mercy: God’s people are always getting into sin-situations, yet there is a way to restoration and forgiveness. (v.v. 31-53)

Particularity and Universality: God set Israel apart from the nations, yet does not discriminate against anyone who seeks to worship Him. (v.v. 41-43)

Eschatology and Practicality:  (Eschatology is a big word, meaning the study of “end times”.)  The Lord is Lord over the last day, but also everyday.  (v.v. 56-60)

Of course, for us, the greatest Divine “complimentary combination” is when God joined His Son, Jesus with His “Bride”, the Church.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins