We are looking to sweep the Bible – to get an overview of what is covered in our Bible – and we are now in week four. In our general reading of the Bible, we see that others swept the Scriptures at times, when they were judged for their faith, Stephen in Acts chapter 7, Paul when he preached in Acts chapter 13, and also when they were judged for their faith in Jesus Christ.

We have covered 2000 years – 500 years – and 200 years – in the first three articles.

We are now in the year 1000 BC. C. and David is the king of Israel.

This is the account of God’s people told from God’s point of view. These Chapters are not merely historical, intellectual or academic, they are relevant for each of us, for all humanity.

These kings had absolute power, unlike the monarch in our land. They made the laws and commanded the armies, without parliament, without voting, without opposition, politically speaking, although there was opposition, and sometimes from the men of God, when the king was evil.

God tells us whether the king was a good king or a bad king, depending on his spiritual qualities. Did he worship the God of Israel, or did he bow down to idols and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?

Were you in favor of morality, justice, integrity, or were these qualities lacking in your life?

We read about what God considers important. God is primarily interested in the beliefs and behavior of leaders.

Under David and Solomon, Israel possessed and occupied most of the land promised to Abraham, from Egypt to the Euphrates.

Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God was pleased to give it to him. I’m sure that’s true of anyone who asks God for wisdom. God also gave Solomon wealth, wealth, fame, and power; people traveled to meet this man of God. The Queen of Sheba was so impressed by the splendor she witnessed in Jerusalem.

He built the temple, and we have recorded his prayer at the dedication. II Chronicles Chapters 6 and 7. I Kings Chapter 8.

Building the Temple involved forced labor and heavy taxes, and the people of the North did not appreciate that all this money was being used in the strangely familiar and modern South. It was a colossal task – planning – skill – over a period of time – faith – with everything in place – and we have our place in the Body of Christ.

Worship was now centralized in Jerusalem. But the day came when the buildings were finished and God was going to dwell in the people, and that happened after Jesus Christ lived, died, was resurrected, ascended, and poured out the Holy Spirit.

These were the days of the Psalms and Proverbs – Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes – literary richness – which became the Word of God.

But then there was a civil war, and God’s people divided, and there were ten tribes in the north and two in the south.

Finally, they were taken captive, around 586 BC. C.

But during these years, God raised up prophets. God put his words in the mouths of men.

Isaiah prophesied after the reign of Uzziah and during the reign of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was a good king to begin with, and then not so good, II Kings Chapter 18 and Chapter 20.

Jeremiah is a prominent prophet right now, giving us a vivid picture of the condition of the nation and explaining what was about to happen.

Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah – II Kings Chapter 21 – and he was bad – very bad – worshiping Molech – and sacrificing children in the valley south of Jerusalem.

Why do people want to do this when they have a temple for pure and holy worship inspired by God? Ezekiel is also writing and speaking.

Josiah – II Kings Chapter 22 – He was a good king – 23 verses 25 and 26.

When the Babylonians came, they killed King Zedekiah – Chapter 25 verse 7 – having bound him in chains – they made him watch his sons being killed – and then they gouged out his eyes.

The people rejected the Word of God, the Covenant that God made with this chosen people, and the men that God raised up to speak His Word.

Although it is mentioned what will happen – into exile – taken as prisoners to a foreign land – there is always the promise that God will bring them back.

Isaiah 11 ver. 11. Jeremiah Chapters 31 and 33. Ezekiel Chapter 36: 16 and following.

The punishment of exile in Babylon is only for a limited period, although 70 years is a long time.

We set the spiritual example – the tone of a meeting – where we go – can be greatly influenced by our very presence. If we have a leadership role that will be even more marked – since those around us will look for an example.

We also see the dangers of having ties to people who serve foreign ‘gods’.

Elijah asked the people – 1 Kings 18 verse 21 – how long will he waver between two opinions? And we also learn that we may not be as popular with certain people.

In verse 17, King Ahab asks Elijah, “Are you the troublemaker of Israel?”

Josiah reminds us that we must be regular readers of the Bible. If we neglect its truth, we can face consequences similar to those of these people.

But one thing is clear, and that is, the sovereignty of God.

God is in control. God is blessing what can be blessed and dealing with situations that need His Sovereign Hand.

Solomon was great but Jesus Christ is greater. Matthew Chapter 12 verse 42

Just as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so Jesus would rise again after three days and three nights in the tomb, verse 40.

Jesus met and spoke with Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration – Luke Chapter 9 verse 28 – we see how much the Old and New Testaments are intertwined and linked. We need the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Even as we read the Bible, see the Hand of God in your own life, take time to worship and thank Him.

“Almighty God, we see again Your Sovereign Hand, a God who blesses and a God who judges. Open us to the truth of Your Holy Word. Save our lives in these days when many would deviate from the authority of the Old and New Scriptures. Testaments. Help us, Jesus risen and alive. Amen. “