1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 12, 2019 “A TEMPLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION” Whereas it took him seven years to build the temple, it took Solomon 13 years to build his own house. He probably did not have 180,000 workers building his house, but be this as it may, it was still a grand dwelling, a castle. The second part of our reading describes the temple furnishings….Keep Reading

Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 11, 2019 “THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD” Solomon’s temple was seven years in building, using over 180,000 workers, with at 30,000 of those being forced laborer. These numbers account for only Israelite workmen. King Hiam supplied an unspecified number of woodcutters who worked with the 10,000 Israelites who were rotated in and out of Lebanon each month. In today’s dollars, estimates…Keep Reading

Proverbs 22-24 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 10, 2019 “EVIL COMPANIONS” Paul seems to be quoting unnamed authors when to show the folly of denying the resurrection he said: “And if there is no resurrection, ‘Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!’ Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’ Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame…Keep Reading

Proverbs 19-21 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 9, 2019 “THERE ARE TWO SIDES” “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” is not one of Solomon’s proverbs, but a quotation from Alexander Pope. Perhaps it would be wise of me to ignore some comments made by Solomon about wives, but Solomon was either wise enough or foolish enough to say much the same thing about wives in three different verses in…Keep Reading

Proverbs 16-18 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 8, 2019 “DAILY DEALINGS” It is important what we do when we assemble on the Lord’s day to worship, but as an old friend used to say, “Some people stand so straight on Sunday morning that they fall over backward,” meaning that their “Sunday best” did not match Monday’s realities. Our daily dealings may support our Sunday proclamations, or they may cause us to…Keep Reading

Proverbs 13-15 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 7, 2019 “CHOICES WE MAKE” In today’s readings, Solomon continues to contrast the good with the bad, the ugly with the beautiful, and life with death. We note three proverbs dealing with choices. First, there is the choice of companions: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). Paul warns, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad…Keep Reading

1 Peter 2:9 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 7, 2019 “The New Testament Church” The following is a chart of information concerning the New Testament church as described in the scriptures. It was constructed by Bro. Charles Burke, minister for the congregation in Bisbee, Arizona. It is an excellent teaching tool for use in teaching the establishment and organization of the Lord’s church. 1) The Reign Of The New Testament Church…Keep Reading

Proverbs 7-9 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 5, 2019 “A MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP AND A MOUTH LIKE FOGHORN LEGHORN” Our reading today is about three women. In modern parlance, the first is a cougar or older women seeking sex with younger men. She stalked her prey while her husband traveled doing business (Proverbs 7). The second and third are not literal women, but personifications. Lady Wisdom is the only…Keep Reading

Ecclesiastes 3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 4, 2019 “WHY PREACHERS TRY TO JUGGLE TOO MANY BALLS” J.J. Turner, Ph.D. © 2019 When I was a boy I was like most kids, in awe and fascinated by jugglers. My first experience was when an entertainer sponsored by a national yoyo company performed at my grammar school. After holding us spelled bound with a yoyo exhibition, the performer turned to juggle balls,…Keep Reading

Proverbs 4-6 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 4, 2019 “PHILOSOPHY” The word “philosophy” comes from two Greek words “philos” (fond or friendly) and “sophos” (clever or wise). The word is used only once in the Bible, where Paul warns against it: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to…Keep Reading

Proverbs 1-3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 3, 2019 “THE PRINCIPAL THING” Solomon declares “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (4:7, NKJV). Wisdom is often described as the ability to use knowledge, especially in a practical way: “life skills.” It is important to distinguish proverbs from prose, which is an extended examination, explanation, and application of a theme. A proverb is “a short pithy saying in general use, stating…Keep Reading

Song of Solomon THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 2, 2019 “A LOVE SONG FOR THE INHIBITED AND THE PROMISCUOUS” Probably because it extols the blessings of erotic love, the Song of Solomon is often ignored or allegorized, applying it to Christ and the church. Even if that were Solomon’s intention, we would still have to deal with the content of the song itself, which clearly sees erotic love as a part…Keep Reading