Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

The Ark goes to the Temple

June 15, 2020

When King David tried to bring the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, he encountered problems. In 1 Kings 8 they move it and the tent of meeting to the Temple area. The excitement of the event brought so many animals for sacrifice that they could not be numbered. The cloud of the presence of Jehovah filled the new Temple and the priests had to leave.

Solomon’s speech and prayer emphasized his father’s role in the construction of the building. He also enumerated all the things for which it would be utilized. His charge to the people to follow Yahweh’s commands and decrees ended the prayer. The two-week celebration ended with feasting and sacrifice. Like many of our Christian churches, no celebration is complete without food.

Another version of the Ark being transferred to the new Temple of the Lord is in 2 Chronicles 5. It was placed in the Most Holy Place where it would remain until to destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Do you remember the Psalms of Asaph? He was present at this event. He, Heman, and others provided the music. As before we are told the presence of The Lord in a cloud forced the priests out.

Furnishing the Temple

June 14, 2020

Seven years for Jehovah’s Temple and Thirteen for the King’s palace according to 1 Kings 7. Does this sound lopsided? Not when you look at the size of the structures. If you build a house, you need furniture.

Let’s look at what was made for the Temple of the Lord. The massive sea that was used for ceremonial cleansing. Ten wheeled stands, bronze basins, pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls were also created by Huram. Many other items are also listed. Tomorrow we look at 2 Chronicles.

2 Chronicles 4 begins with the bronze altar, and then lists the items from yesterday. Included in the list are the ten lampstands and the ten tables. Here we read of some gold wick trimmers, tongs, lampstands, lamps, wick trimmers, dishes, and censers. Each item had their specific purpose in the Temple.

Building the Temple starts

June 14, 2020

Hiram who was the King of Tyre sends word to Solomon after he becomes king of Israel in David’s place. In 1 Kings 5 he is willing to provide all the cedar and other wood needed for the Temple when the new king of Israel asks him. The quantity needed is very large and the craftsmen of Israel work with his men to float the logs to Solomon and prepare them for the work. The cost of everything needed is covered by taxes from the Israelites just like in our time. The stones had to be cut and made ready to be put in place at the building site.

We will now begin to look at two different versions of the construction of Solomon’s Temple in 1 Kings 6. Four hundred and eighty years after the Exodus the work begins. We are given a detailed description of this structure.

Once again, however, there is a message from Jehovah that contains an “If” clause. They must obey everything He has commanded if they wanted Him to continue to abide there. No matter how beautiful the building, for God to stay, we must follow his instructions for our lives. Even if we take seven years or more for the construction.

Preparations for building the temple that was planned by David is given in 2 Chronicles chapter 2. Building materials included wood, stone, gold, and silver. The materials are not the only things needed to build such a magnificent structure.

Craftsmen were required. Carpenters, stone masons, gold and silver smiths are just the start. A trade is made. The work would need unskilled laborers. For this he chose those who were not Israelites but lived in the country. There were 153,600 foreigners who were drafted to cut stone and carry it to the site. This may have been a violation of the law to treat outsiders as the Jewish people themselves.

Our second account of the Temple being built is in the book of Second Chronicles in the third chapter. Here we are informed that the location Is on Mount Moriah at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. This is the location of the sacrifice that David made to stop the destruction of the people because he had violated God’s word and conducted a census.

The description of the structure is the same, but we are told the names of the pillars that were on the north and the south. Jakin means “He establishes” and Boaz is interpreted as “In Him is the strength.” Interesting names for posts, don’t you think?

Humility is the fear of the Lord

June 14, 2020

Proverbs 22 tells us that humility is the fear of the Lord. We need to remain faithful to Him to show our children what is correct. The results of this are shown later.

Verse six is the one many quote about children that are raised in the fear and admonition of God. Many believe that their children will never rebel. This verse does not say that. It tells the parent that eventually they will return for permanently.

Diet is dealt with in Proverbs 23. Dining with the wealthy requires some discretion to prevent health problems. If you eat too much, it may be held against you. Drinking too much is also discouraged.

Moving boundary lines is also warned against. Promises of good fortune for the obedient are also given.

Wickedness and wisdom are two recurring themes in Proverbs and chapter 24 is no exception. Don’t envy the wicked because they are trouble-makers. Foolishness and scheming go hand in hand. The wicked will be snuffed out. Don’t worry about them.

A house is built by wisdom. The wise will prevails. The foolish do not understand God’s wisdom. Wisdom is like honey. Practical wisdom is discussed. An honest answer is like a kiss. Do your outside work first and then work inside. This is what we call common sense.

Are you married to a leaky roof?

June 13, 2020

Have you read any of these Proverbs that you do not agree with? Chapter 19 verse four says, “Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.” This the kind of action by the Jewish community that is condemned in the Prophets. The mistreatment of the poor is condemned. Often in these verses, we are told that the unrighteous will reap appropriate punishment.

Wives are complimented and insulted both in these proverbs? A quarrelsome wife is like a leaky roof. A prudent one is from the Lord. Shame and disgrace are brought upon a child that treats their parents with less than respect.

Do you need a reason not to drink? Proverbs 20 says that wine is a mocker and beer makes you a brawler. Most of us know this is true because we have seen others react these ways after a few.

Do you have an insight given by Jehovah? If so, you have the discernment to help determine what lies in the hearts of others. Your spirit may be the lamp of the Lord.

Leaders are given advice in Proverbs 21. The Lord can channel good things to the people. Pursue righteousness and love and find life, prosperity, and honor.

Justice is more important to God than our sacrifices. Our gifts to God should be done for the correct motive. Turning our back on the poor will come back on us. Do not use this verse as saying that you should give something to everyone who claims they are in need. The wise person gives only through organizations that do the most for the indigent. Read Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Man With the Twisted Lip” for more on this.

Love and faithfulness are Jehovah

June 11, 2020

We all believe that what we do is correct, but Proverbs 16 tells us that Yahweh looks at our motives. He judges us by them. He does not care about superficial actions or Religious actions and preferences.

Love and faithfulness will atone for our sins. When He sees these, He takes pleasure in us and protects us. Our trust in Him brings blessings. A last verse deals with using a device to gain knowledge of what is the desire of God.

Proverbs 17 asks if we listen to liars. Wisdom will prevent this problem. We are instructed to refrain from quarreling. This will lead to peaceful lives with our family and friends. Verse eight reminds me of the quotation “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”

Are you an unfriendly person? Proverbs 18 tells us that they pursue selfish ends and start quarrels. Many comparisons are made between the foolish and the wise. “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower.”

Wisdom for women

June 11, 2020

Go back to the last few days and reread those comments. Many of the Proverbs in chapter 13 deal with the same topics. The New Testament warns us of the problems our tongues can cause. So, does Proverbs.
Hope is another idea embraced here. Fulfilled hopes give us life. Dashed desires bring depression. The wants of good people will be delivered, but those who are only serving themselves will be disappointed.

These Proverbs speak mostly to men. but in Chapter fourteen we read about the wise and the foolish woman. Sharing our joy and heartache is mentioned in verse ten. Sometimes, what we think is right leads to death. The patient will have an understanding.

Our response affects what happens to us. Our mouths are used for the destruction of others and ourselves or to help. Proverbs 15 tells us this and that Jehovah watches all of us. Do you believe this? If so, shouldn’t you worry about what He feels about your words and actions?

What is your path?

June 11, 2020

Proverbs 10 gives us many different sayings. We will look at a few of them. Getting something without working for it is worthless. Hard work is its own reward. Walk in integrity and you will be secure. Love covers up our sins. This means that God’s love from His Son will blot them out.

Many things are said about the righteous. They will not go hungry. They are blessed by Jehovah. Life comes from right living. They delight in wisdom. Solomon contradicts the saying “Only the good die young” in verse twenty-seven. The contradictory phrases make it easier to understand.

We are looking at dualities and opposites again in Proverbs 11. Let’s talk about what this chapter says about wealth. Good decisions on helping others financially can be hard to make. Look at the different examples that are given.

Jehovah and man are another topic that is discussed. We should not place our hope in mankind but in the Lord. Often it appears that our relationship with Yahweh can be seen in how we respond to others around us.

Do you love discipline? In Proverbs 12, it calls the person who hates correction stupid. Don’t chase fantasies. Be faithful to try to improve yourself with the guidance of Christ. Pay attention to what people advise you to do. They may have something constructive to say.

We see many comparisons of the wicked and the righteous. How can you judge wickedness and righteousness? By their deceitfulness or honesty in advice. Our words are also an indicator of whether we obey God or seek our own profit.

The temptation of sex

June 11, 2020

Why is he hung up on sex again in chapter seven of Proverbs? Because the misuse of it can ruin your life. Look at the description of the woman, the comments she makes, and the lies she tells. Ladies just reverse the sex of the tempter and you will be caught in the trap as well.

Does wisdom call out to us as Solomon asks in Proverbs chapter 8? Have you ever had a decision to make and someone gave you the advice you did not take? If the choice was the wrong one, you ignored the voice of wisdom. How do we know it is wise? It is the truth and will add to your life. Good decisions provide wealth, honor, and righteousness.

Jehovah created wisdom. Before the universe or the earth came to be, wise words existed. When it came about is not important. The fact that it was made by Yahweh is.

What are the simple ways that are spoken of in Proverbs 9? Would you like to know if you are wise or a mocker? Verse eight says that a mocker will hate those who rebuke them, but a wise man will love them.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we speak of fearing God, it is more respect than terror brought on by an evil master. We know that life is hard but living it with God will make it easier.

Following a father’s example

June 11, 2020

Proverbs 4 6 As fathers, we want our children to learn from our mistakes. In Proverbs 4, King Solomon encourages his sons to follow his advice. He learned from his father and the process continues. He recounts the advantages of wisdom and understanding.

There is a way that is correct and one that is evil. Most of us want to be the type of man or woman the does right. We err sometimes without intending to. Some intentionally cause problems for others for their own gain of pleasure. Our actions grow from what is inside of us. We can ask Jehovah for wisdom to become the servants we should be or follow selfish desires that make us useless to others.

The free love movement has been around for over a century. You may think it began in the 1960s. There were proponents of sex without marriage since man was created. In Proverbs 5 young men are taught to listen to the instructions of a wise man to avoid adulterous relationships. Remember that this is the man that had 700 wives and 300 concubines. U.S. law only allows one sexual partner, husband or wife, at a time. Even these laws have been modified to the point that sexual promiscuity is no longer illegal.

As parents, we must teach our young men and women to remain faithful until they are married. read the reasons that are given here. If you do not believe Solomon and I, ask those who have lived this lifestyle of lust and now regret it.

Finances are a problem for many of us and in Proverbs 6 Solomon advises us to remove ourselves from obligations to others. Working to release ourselves from debt is what is advocated. Laziness is mentioned a lot in the book of Proverbs. The example given here is the ant. They work hard and enjoy the fruits of their labors only after the job is complete. The movie Ants depicts this concept through animation.

Next, we turn to the wicked. Are you a troublemaker? Do you plot evil? Do you stir up conflict? If so, you are in for a disaster. Seven things to avoid, a smart mouth, a lying tongue, hurting others, thinking up evil acts, running to commit those evil deeds, being a false witness, and stirring up conflict.

How bad is sexual sin, especially adultery? According to our culture, it isn’t a big deal. Share sex with anyone you want. One of the comparisons given is a man walking on hot coals. Hindu wise men pride themselves in this practice. If you can train your body to do this, then you can commit adultery, right? Wrong. Your feet aren’t what her husband will destroy.

Walk With a Servant