Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 27

John the Baptist: Prophet c. 20’s AD

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)

READ: Luke 1, Matthew 3, 11:1-19; 14:1-12

During the time when Rome controlled the region of Judea, Herod rebuilt much of the city of Jerusalem including its walls and the Temple.  This was the Temple that was often visited by Jesus and his disciples which He warned would soon be destroyed.   Herod’s son, Herod Antipas, would put John the Baptist to death.  John the Baptist was the son of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, who was barren.  He was born approximately six months before the birth of Jesus and spent most of his youth in obscurity until he received a divine call to the prophetic vocation and entered upon a public ministry.  John was a forerunner of Christ.  Jesus regarded him as the second Elijah sent by God in accordance with ancient prophecies and he is the link between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  His message was simple, “repent, the long awaited kingdom of heaven is near”.  John’s role was clear – he was to prepare a way for the Lord’s coming.  When John came on the scene clothed in a cloak of camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild honey.  People flocked to hear his message as he proclaimed to all the need to repent, to change their attitudes resulting in a significant alteration of life.  Repentance and faith is to be accompanied with a serious attempt to reform one’s life.  A genuine experience of grace must reveal itself in spiritual fruit – it was not enough to be a Jew, repentance was a prerequisite to entering the Messianic kingdom.  John’s ministry set in motion the divine events in which the Messiah would be revealed to Israel and to the world.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 26

The Maccabees (167-160 BC)

For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 2 Kings 19:31 (NIV)

READ: Romans 11

We have already seen the breakdown of the Kingdom Israel into the Northern and Southern kingdoms and how each fell into the hands of their oppressors.  The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria and was never re-established whereas the Southern Kingdom was taken into captivity to Babylon.  The Babylonians fell to the Persians, who were conquered by the Greek who under the leadership of Antiochus IV killed, plundered and destroyed Jerusalem.  He blasphemed the temple and heavily persecuted the Jews, many of which refused to comply and were tortured and killed. The nation of Israel and their religion were in danger of extinction.  Mattathias was a priest who refused to offer sacrifice to a pagan god and started a revolt against the officer who ordered the sacrifice.  He and his sons (known as the Maccabees) fled to the hills and after his death his son Judas defeated their oppressors and re-established the Jewish religious practices.  Pagan elements were removed from the Temple and the altar was rebuilt and rededicated.  The Jewish people had their religious freedoms back.  Eventually Judea came under the control of the Romans.  The independence that the Maccabees so bravely won only lasted eighty years yet we can see the hand of God upon His people this entire time.  God has always preserved a remnant.  Even though His children experienced captivity and exile and were persecuted and suffered much, He would fulfill His promise to Abraham that all the families of the earth shall be blessed through his seed, the coming Messiah!  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 25

Malachi: Prophet c. 420

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1 (NIV)

READ: Malachi 1-4

Spurred on by the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah the returned exiles finished building the Temple and were strengthened spiritually.  Unfortunately, the people fell back into their old ways as they ignored tithes, broke the Sabbath, intermarried with foreigners and the priesthood had become corrupt.  Several of these sins are mentioned in Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament era.  The people were discouraged.  The glorious return of the splendor of Israel had not yet been realized, God had not returned to dwell in the Temple and the people doubted God’s love and were losing hope.  So they no longer took the law seriously causing their worship to become corrupt.  The priests were not observing the Law of Moses and were offering blemished and diseased animals in worship and had gone further in their indifference by offering polluted bread before the Lord.  Malachi rebukes their disobedience, their doubt of God’s love and the faithlessness of the priests.  He warns that God will come as a “refiner’s fire”.  The children of Israel exist for God to work out His purposes through them therefore they were not completely destroyed.  Only through repentance and reformation will they again experience God’s blessing.  Those who honor the Lord will be spared when He comes to judge.  Malachi warns the people that the dreadful day of the Lord is coming and that the righteous will rejoice at it and the wicked will be trampled down.  Important in Malachi’s message was his insistence that the first step toward a proper relationship with God was true repentance.  He also prophesied of a forerunner of the coming of the Lord who would offer a disobedient people the last chance of repentance before the onset of Divine judgement.  Jesus regarded this forerunner to be John the Baptist.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 24

Nehemiah: Leader from 420-406 BC

 Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. Nehemiah 1:6 (NIV)

READ: Nehemiah 1-2, 6:15-7:4; 12:27-13:3

Nehemiah was a prominent Jew who rose to very high office under the Persian emperor as cupbearer to the king.  When he heard about the situation in Jerusalem with the walls broken down he wept, prayed and fasted before God.  He approached the king with a very somber disposition and asked to be allowed to take a leave of absence to go to his homeland and help build the Temple.  Mentioning this to the king was extremely brave because if the king did not like an idea then you could be beheaded.  Nehemiah took a great risk by asking to go.  Fortunately, the king agreed and also gave him an army contingent and materials to help with the work.  Upon arrival in Jerusalem Nehemiah encouraged the rebuilding of the walls, quickly the people joined him.  The people worked tirelessly even though their enemies were mocking them.  Nehemiah organized them into family units capable of defending themselves as they continued to work on fixing the wall.  Their work paid off and after only 52 days the job was complete bringing a new sense of hope.  Nehemiah’s decisions show wisdom and forethought and his actions are marked with determination and courage.  He rallied the people to rebuild the walls  and all sections of the community responded favourably.  When attacked and mocked he led the people with the knowledge of the assurance of Divine help.  Nehemiah consistently led from a place of prayer and action.  He kept good watch over the project and saw it to completion.  After the walls were sufficiently in place steps were taken to reorient the Jews according to the Word of God.  They were made familiar with the laws of Moses, the temple service was re-established and national purity was restored.  Through Nehemiah’s life we see the fear of God in his heart which took precedence over the fear of man.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 23

Ezra Scribe from 454-433 BC

Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.  Ezra 7:6 (NIV)

READ:  Ezra 8:15-10:17

Ezra was one of the most prominent leaders after the exile who led many people back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity was over.  He did not return with the original group of exiles who accompanied Zerubbabel when the decree was written by Cyrus that the Jews could return to their land and build their temple but remained in Babylon.  Instead he organized a second migration of Jews to return to their homeland.  Ezra was a teacher and scribe who had good understanding of the laws of Moses and had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord and to teaching its decrees. Upon his arrival in Jerusalem he found that the Jewish community was broken down spiritually and there was much intermarriage with pagan peoples.  Even the High priest, who everyone looked to for spiritual leadership, had sons who married non-Jewish women.  Ezra also found that the Sabbath rules were not being followed.   He took his concerns to the Lord in prayer with confession, fasting and weeping.  His holy response to the sin of the people brought the rest of the people to their knees in confession.  The people renewed their covenant with God and saw that there was still hope.  Even after this Ezra continued to pray, fast and mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.  The people responded with obedience and were willing to have their sin dealt with.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 22

Ezekiel: Prophet from 512-492 BC

 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

READ:  Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 34

Ezekiel was a prophet during the Babylonian exile of Judah and was among those taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar.  He grew up in Jerusalem and may have started working as a priest when his life was interrupted as he was taken with the other captives to Babylon.  It was when he was there among the exiles that he received his call to be a prophet.  He was married, lived in a house of his own and along with his fellow exiles, had a relatively free existence.  Ezekiel was a man of broad knowledge, not only of his own national traditions but also with general matters of culture.  More than any other prophet he was directed to involve himself personally in the divine word by acting it out in prophetic symbolism.  He was to draw a plan of besieged Jerusalem on a brick, lay prostrate on one side and then on the other side for days and shave himself with a sword and divide the hair.  These dramatic symbolic acts enhanced the effectiveness of his message.  The first seven years of his ministry saw him faithfully telling the people words of divine judgment: Jerusalem would fall and they would not experience early release.  He encouraged the exiles to live at peace with God during their exile.  One of the prophetic signs he was to obey was to not mourn the death of his wife as the people were not to mourn openly for Jerusalem.  Ezekiel also wrote of judgements to seven nations and that God’s wrath was coming for them too.  Once the exiles received the news of Jerusalem’s fall Ezekiel’s messages from the Lord turned to hope.  They would experience revival, restoration and a glorious future as the redeemed and perfected kingdom of God.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 21

Daniel: Prophet from 524-c. 450 BC

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

READ:  Daniel 1, 2, 5, 6

Daniel was born into an unidentified family in Judea and was selected among the first of the Jewish captives taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.  For a three year period Daniel was instructed in all the traditions of the Babylonians in preparation for service to the king.  Yet in spite of all this he remained true to his Jewish heritage.  Therefore, when he and his friends were offered royal food and drink they declined since these foods violated the Levitical laws.  God honored them by giving them outstanding learning abilities and Daniel was given the ability to experience visions and interpret dreams.  When Nebuchadnezzar received a vivid dream that disturbed him, Daniel was called upon to interpret the dream requiring both courage and tact.  Daniel served in the Babylonian court as a statesman his entire life including during the reign of Belshazzar who became confused when a mysterious hand wrote a message on a wall during one of his parties.  Daniel was summoned to the court and asked to explain the message, which was one of destruction and continued in office during the reign of Darius.  During his reign a royal edict was made that prohibited all prayers or petitions except those addressed to the king.  Daniel would not comply and was thrown into a den of lions for breaking the law.  God intervened to save his servant.  Daniel continued to function as a government official through the Persian rise to power over the Babylonians under Cyrus.  During his life Daniel received many visions of the end times which are recorded in Daniel 7-12.  It seems probable that Daniel died well over the age of 80 leaving behind a life of inspiring faith through the exercise of courage when confronted with mortal danger.  He lived a life of wholehearted devotion to God in a pagan society and set an example of persistence in prayer.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 20

Jeremiah: Prophet from 547-c. 480 BC

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

READ:  Jeremiah 2, 27, 52

The rise and fall of the kingdom of Judah was directly related to their devotion to God.  The kings would prosper when they walked in the ways of God and they would suffer when they were rebellious.  During the time of the kings, God sent prophets to warn the king and the people to return to the Lord and follow His ways.  These prophets often spoke of coming judgment as well as the possibility of restoration.  Jeremiah began prophesying in Judah halfway through the reign of Josiah in the kingdom of Judah until the kingdom fell under the rule of Zedekiah.  Jeremiah’s messages were timely and directly related to the prevailing conditions of the political, social and religious life of the people.  Portraying the sinful conditions existing in Judah, Jeremiah pointed out the problem – their love and devotion toward God was lacking.  They had forsaken God and had ignored His laws and instead had turned to idolatry.  Fear, reverence, respect and love for God were missing.  Jeremiah warned the people that the Northern Kingdom had been taken into captivity because of their sin and God’s judgement was near because they too had forsaken Him.  Because of their evil actions they would be taken into captivity including the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.  The message so gripped him that he was moved to deep compassion for his people.  Jeremiah realized that his message of punishment was because they had forsaken the law of God and had been disobedient.  Devastation, death, destruction and exile was imminent.  Jeremiah lived through one of the most difficult experiences that any prophet faced in his ministry.  The kingdom was disintegrating as eventually the Babylonians began their final siege on Jerusalem under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.  Jeremiah informed king Zedekiah that the city would fall.  Neither the people nor the king was interested in listening to the message of Jeremiah.  During this time Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned and announced safety for those who surrendered to the Babylonians.  He made it clear that surrender meant preservation of life whereas rebellion would bring the capture of the king and the loss of the city.  Eventually the city was taken by the Babylonians but they released Jeremiah and showed kindness to him, even allowing him to choose the place of his residence.  Most scholars believe that Jeremiah lived out the rest of his life in Egypt, still seeking to turn the people towards God.  There is no record of how he died.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 19

Isaiah: Prophet from 676-617 BC

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

READ:  Isaiah 36-37

The kingdom of Judah, the southern kingdom, experienced prosperity under the reign of king Uzziah.  It was the year that Uzziah died that Isaiah the prophet received his call into ministry.  His ministry continued through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, having the length of over 60 years.   These were turbulent times in Judah’s history as they were heavily attacked while at the same time the northern kingdom was under siege and eventually was taken captive by the Assyrians.  Isaiah warned Judah that her sin would bring captivity at the hands of Babylon.  Although captivity was years away, Isaiah assumes the demise of Judah and predicts the restoration of the people from captivity.  He names Cyrus the Persian as the one would ultimately allow the Jews to return home decades before he even reigned.  Throughout his ministry Isaiah revealed God’s judgement and salvation as the “Holy One of Israel” who must punish his rebellious people but will afterward redeem them.  God will ultimately have compassion on his people and rescue them from both political and spiritual oppression.  Isaiah had the status to take an active part in the events of his land and in some cases, to guide them.  His relationship with the kings gave him access to the palace but also did not prevent him from speaking for the common people who were being victimized by the corruption of the ruling class.  He often spoke of justice and upholding the rights of the orphan and widow.  Isaiah was probably one of the most political of the prophets in the face of the Assyrian threats as he counseled the leadership to make moral changes.  He knew that the mighty Assyria was a tool in God’s hands which God used to punish the sins of Jerusalem.  Isaiah worked closely with king Hezekiah to make many religious reforms and Isaiah supported him during the difficult moments of the Assyrian siege (Isaiah 36-37).  Isaiah was a highly educated man as seen by his writings which have had great influence over the centuries.  The New Testament alludes to his writings over 250 times and quotes it at least 50 times.  He wrote many prophecies of the birth of Christ and his second coming.  Many of his writings in the book of Isaiah are used in studying the End Times.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 18

Elisha: Prophet from 823-765 BC

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 2 Kings 2:9 (NIV)

READ:  2 Kings 4-6:23; 13:14-23

Elisha was ordained for ministry by Elijah and was anointed as his successor.  He primarily served the northern kingdom for the latter reign of king Ahab into the rule of king Joash.  His ministry was vast including serving the schools of prophets, helping the needy, performing miracles, giving advice to the king, and acting as a spokesman for God.  This man of God was given the ability to perform many miracles such as increasing the widow’s oil, raising the dead, causing a poisonous pot of food to become harmless and multiplying loaves and grain.  Elisha was a great man of faith who was filled with the Spirit of God.   Never in his life did he tremble before any ruler, nor did anyone intimidate him.  Yet he was an ordinary man who was a plowing a yoke of oxen at the time of his call.  He learned from Elijah through serving him as Joshua had assisted Moses.  It has been said that the miraculous works of Elisha are double the number performed by Elijah signifying that he had been given a double portion of the spirit of Elijah.  On many occasions when the Arameans and the Israelites were at war, Elisha saved the Israelite king by warning him of the location of the Aramean army.  In one instance the Arameans attempted to capture him but the Lord protected him with chariots of fire.  When the Lord struck the soldiers blind, Elisha brought them to Samaria, where they recovered their sight.  Elisha then advised the king to make a great feast for them and they were released.  Even when on his death bed (2 Kings 13) he advised the king and gave a symbolic prophecy that king Joash would defeat the Arameans.  Even after his death a miracle is attributed to Elisha – a corpse was hastily thrown into his grave and it came back to life when it touched his body.  Elijah gives us a great example of a life of faith and obedience to God.  His example encourages us to diligently serve the Lord in whatever capacity He is calling us to.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 17

Elijah: Prophet from 826-823 BC

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. James 5:17 (NIV)

READ:  1 Kings 17-19; 2 Kings 2:1-18

Following Solomon’s death the kingdom was divided into two; the kingdom of Israel (Northern) and the kingdom of Judah (Southern).  Solomon’s son, Rehoboam precipitated the separation of the north. 

Elijah was sent by God as a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab, a wicked ruler.  The northern kingdom had fallen into sin through foreign cultural and religious influences as well as foreign conquest.  Jezebel, Ahab’s foreign wife, brought with her and encouraged the worship of Baal and other forms of idolatry.  This was condemned by the prophet Elijah who forcefully opposed these sinful ways.  Elijah is often viewed as a wilderness dweller and a man of great endurance with unhesitating devotion to the Lord which made him a bold spokesman for what is right.  The biblical account introduces Elijah with a sudden appearance before king Ahab to which he declared that there would be neither dew nor rain except at the prophet’s word.  He then followed the Lord’s guidance and hid himself by a brook and was divinely fed by ravens and eventually was cared for by a widow.  When the widow’s son became ill and died, he took the boy to his room, prayed and life returned to the boy.  After three rainless years Elijah presented himself before Ahab and challenging him to bring to Mount Carmel the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who ate at Jezebel’s table.  Elijah then proposed a test to determine who the true God was.  The prophets would prepare a meat offering and Elijah was to do the same; the god who consumed the offering with fire would be the True God.  The efforts of the pagan prophets were futile and Elijah mocked them.  Finally, he prepared his altar, instructed the people to pour 12 jars of water on it and prayed to God who answered with fire from heaven.  The offering was consumed as well as the wood, altar and even the dust and water around the altar.  He then commanded that the false prophets be seized and killed so they were put to death.  Then he announced that a great rain would fall.  After an experience with God while he was hiding from Jezebel the Lord spoke to him and revealed himself to Elijah in a “gentle whisper”.  The Lord told him to anoint Elisha as his successor in the prophetic office.  When the time came for Elijah to be taken up to heaven he asked Elisha what he wanted as a favor from him and Elisha replied that he wanted a double portion.  As they were walking and talking a chariot of fire and horses appeared and separated the two of them and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.  When he returned to the company of the prophets of Jericho, they recognized that the spirit of Elijah was resting on Elisha. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 16

Solomon: King of Israel from 941-901 BC

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)

READ:  2 Chronicles 1; 1 Kings 8, 11:1-13

Solomon was the son of David, the third king of Israel.  Saul and David were born from the common people and grew up among everyday people in the villages and countryside but Solomon was born into the palace at Jerusalem and grew up alongside men of power.  He was well educated and never knew poverty or hunger but he did witness the rebellion and violent deaths of several of his older brothers.  At the end of David’s life he left Solomon a united kingdom.  Solomon was not the obvious heir to the throne as he was not David’s oldest son yet David named him to succeed him as king as the Lord had indicated to him.  A significant spiritual experience occurred in Solomon’s life when he was worshipping at Gibeon when God appeared to him by means of a dream.  God asked him what he wanted from Him and Solomon asked for wisdom from God so he could rule his people properly and justly.  He could have asked for wealth and for political and military conquests but instead he saw his need for God’s wisdom to rule well.  God was pleased and granted Solomon’s request and also granted him wealth and fame.  The only condition was that Solomon was to live according to God’s commands.  So, Solomon began his reign committed to God with the blessing of God upon him.  During Solomon’s reign Israel experienced an improvement of living conditions and economy.  Solomon determined that only the best was good enough for God’s house and gathered craftsmen to work on the temple.  While the temple was being built Solomon also built an elaborate palace.  Solomon also made many trade considerations which were closely tied to political alliances with surrounding nations.  Upon the completion of the temple there was an elaborate ceremony and celebration.  The Ark of the Covenant was transferred to the temple by the priests while numerous sacrifices were being offered.  Solomon then dedicated the temple to God.  God then appeared to Solomon again expressing His acceptance of the temple and also laying out a clear-cut condition that obedience to the laws of God was essential to the fulfillment of the divine promise to David about the continuity of the throne.  To be obedient would mean God’s abandonment of the temple, and the people to destruction and to captivity.  Under Solomon Israel experienced peace and prosperity for the first time.  For the first time the people had a place to worship in the capital city and the influence of the priests became more powerful.  The temple gave the people a sense of national pride and of security.  As great as times were, Solomon’s reign was not without blemish.  His wisdom was profound but it possessed serious flaws.  The administrative structure of Solomon’s government lacked adequate checks and balances which make it easy for his leaders to wipe-out mistakes and suffocate dissent.  There were also no proper checks on government spending, taxation policies, trade policies or foreign affairs.  Each of these areas became out of control therefore when he died chaos broke out in every area.  Also, under Solomon’s rule there were also the beginnings of a spiritual decline as many of his political alliances accumulated a total of 700 wives and 300 concubines which was in conflict with the law of God.  Solomon allowed his pagan wives to worship their pagan gods leading God to appear to him a third time rebuking him saying that in his son’s day the kingdom would be torn apart.  These pagan shrines plagued Israel until they were destroyed centuries later by Josiah.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 15

David: King of Israel from 981-942 BC

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' Acts 13:22 (NIV)

READ:  1 Samuel 16, 24; 2 Samuel 7; 1 Kings 2:1-12

When God determined to reject Saul as the king of Israel, he sent Samuel with oil to anoint another.  God showed Samuel that he should not look at the outside but rather look at the heart and choose the successor to the throne from Jesse’s sons.  David was the youngest son and his father didn’t even think it necessary to bring him before Samuel as he was off tending the sheep.  Samuel questioned Jesse and eventually found David, anointing him with oil.  The Holy Spirit came upon David mightily and left Saul, leaving Saul agitated and moody.  Saul then called David in to play the harp for him to sooth him.  At first Saul loved David and made him his armor bearer but as David became more popular with the people for his great feats in battle, Saul became jealous.  David’s popularity started when he defeated Goliath with a small stone and his slingshot.  Soon Saul tried to kill David so David fled.  As Saul’s fear of David grew, David’s popularity with the people also grew leading him to spend many years as a fugitive.  During this time David learned many important things as he grew in character and was tested by God.  It is clear that David held no grudge against Saul as he wrote a beautiful lamentation over the memory of Saul after he died.  It was shortly after Saul’s death that David went up to Hebron and was appointed king over Judah.  One of Saul’s sons took the throne over the rest of Israel and the two houses were at war with each other.  Saul’s house weakened while David’s increased in strength until David became firmly established as king over all of Israel.  David then captured the city of Jerusalem and conquered many of Israel’s enemies.  Although David was a great leader he was not without sin.  He lusted after Bathsheba who became pregnant.  Since she was married to another man he arranged to have that man murdered.  God did not overlook these actions and sent Nathan the prophet to shed some light on his actions.  Unlike Saul, David could see his own faults and was repentant although the consequences for his actions plagued his house.  The sins of his past caused great grieve for David as one of his sons raped his half-sister and another son, Absalom plotted revenge which included the murder of the perpetrator.  This same son plotted to overthrow David and take over the throne causing David to flee Jerusalem.  David is also known for moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem which included a grand celebration.  During this time he established rules for the proper worship of God.  David was not content for the ark to remain in a tent.  He desired to build a permanent structure however the Lord would not permit David to do this, and through Nathan the prophet told David that not he but his son would build God’s house (2 Sam. 7:1-29).  David made preparations for the building of Solomon’s temple and established the order for the temple service including appointing chiefs and tribes to oversee the treasury.  He publically announced that Solomon should be his successor, giving instructions to him on how to build the temple.  In his last days, he charged Solomon to be strong and keep the law of God.  David, a man of faith, was handpicked by God to lead the people and God’s promise of peace to David’s seed forever was established through Christ.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 14

Samuel: Judge and Prophet from 1050-980 BC

I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. 1 Samuel 2:35 (NIV)

READ:  1 Samuel 1, 3, 12

The last Israelite leader before the monarchy was Samuel who served as a judge, priest and prophet.  Samuel’s parents were God-fearing Israelites who annually went to worship at the tabernacle.  Hannah, his mother, was barren and made it a matter of prayer that she might have a son.  As an act of dedication she offered her son to God and brought him to the tabernacle as a child to live there, returning annually to supply him with clothes, leaving him to be reared by Eli the priest.  Eli had failed to teach his sons the fear of God and consequently they violated the laws of sacrifice precipitating God’s judgment on them.  Samuel would be the godly leader that God was raising up as evidenced by his divine call (1 Sam. 3:1-18) and subsequent establishment as prophet in the land of Israel.  At this time the religion of the Israelites had declined to extreme lows as they brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them and it was captured by the Philistines and remained there for 20 years.  During these years Samuel taught throughout Israel, challenging the people to turn from idolatry.  His ministry encouraged the people to turn to a wholehearted love relationship with the Lord.  When the Israelites confronted Samuel with the request for a king, Samuel was greatly disturbed but was divinely assured that they were rejecting God and not him (1 Sam. 8:7).  Reluctantly Samuel consented to their plea for a king and anointed Saul as king as directed by God.  Samuel then outlined the ways of the kingdom (1 Sam. 10:25) reminding the king that he was subject to the laws that God had given Moses.  Continuing to warn the people of the dangers of diminishing their attitude of wholehearted devotion to God (1 Sam. 11-12), Samuel faithfully served in his capacity as priest and prophet.  He also reminded Saul of his failures and of his responsibilities, even reprimanding him if necessary on the importance of obedience over sacrifice telling him that he had forfeited his kingdom.  When Saul and Samuel parted, Samuel was divinely commissioned to anoint David as king of Israel.  Although Samuel served as a judge and priest, he made his largest contribution to Israel as a prophet.  This man responded to God’s call and through his prophetic ministry served his generation faithfully as a man of great prayer and intercession.  He ranks high among the outstanding leaders of the nation of Israel. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 13

Samson: Judge of Israel from 1001-981 BC

He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.  Judges 13:5b (NIV)

READ:  Judges 13-16

Samson was born during the period of the judges during the time when Israel’s most formidable enemies were the Philistines, who God had used to oppress Israel because of their evil deeds.  Even before he was born, Samson was designated as a Nazirite which required him to abstain from wine or other fermented drink, refrain from cutting the hair and not become impure by touching dead things (see Num. 6:1-21).  This boy was to be completely consecrated to God.  His birth was announced to his barren mother by the angel of the Lord showing the significance of what this man would do.  Unfortunately, Samson’s life was the story of his breaking the Nazirite vow as he violated the prohibitions, climaxing with the cutting of his hair by Delilah.  The first violation came when he touched the lion’s carcass (14:8-9).  He also violated God’s laws by spending the night with a prostitute (16:1).  The cutting of his hair by Delilah broke his Nazirite vow once again and left him deprived of strength.  Samson was made captive of the Philistines, his eyes were put out and he was put in prison.  While in prison, his hair began to grow again and his death came with his final heroic deed.  As the people celebrated his capture with pagan worship, Samson was called out of prison to be mocked before them.  They stood him between two pillars where Samson prayed for strength once again and he pushed the pillars over causing the collapse of the temple killing many more people when he died then when he lived.  When we look at Samson’s life we see a figure with very little similarity to other judges.  He resembled them only in that he was possessed of the Spirit, but his exploits were always individual.  He was not a national leader; in fact, he often was avenging his own personal wrongs on the Philistines.  We must be careful in drawing too many religious parallels from his life as most of his actions should not be imitated by believers but rather avoided.  Samson broke his Nazirite vow and disobeyed God.  His life was a negative example of tragedy yet he was listed with the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11:32 as the the Lord used him to defeat the Philistines.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heros of the Faith - Day 12

Jephthah: Judge of Israel from 1052-1046 BC

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. Judges 11:29 (NIV)

READ:  Judges 11:1-12:7

The pattern of the book of Judges is cyclical.  The people of Israel lapse into idolatry and disobedience leading to God’s punishment at the hand of the surrounding nations who oppress them.  This is followed by their repentance of sins and crying out for forgiveness and deliverance.  God then sends a judge through whom He gave victory over the enemy’s oppression.  The story of Jephthah comes after the Israelites had experienced oppression and suffering by Ammon.  After they confessed that they had forsaken God to worship Baal, the leaders of Gilead asked Jephthah to be their commander so they could fight the Ammonites.  It is important to note that these same leaders had run Japhthah out of town and refused to give him an inheritance because his mother was a prostitute and not the wife of his father.  After an exchange of indictments between Jephthah and the Ammonite chief (v. 12-28),  the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and he went into battle.  As he marched toward his foes he made a stupid vow to sacrifice whoever came out of his house to meet him when he returned from the triumph.  The Lord gave him victory in battle as he devastated twenty towns and subdued Ammon.  Unfortunately, his daughter was the one to come out to meet him but he was determined to keep his promise to the Lord (a mistake, perhaps hoping that God would spare her like he did Isaac).  In spite of his shortcomings and disreputable birth, Jephthah emerges from these chapters as a man of faith who overcame the disadvantages of his childhood and was chosen by God to lead God’s people in their time of need.  The Word of God honors him as the Spirit saw fit to include him in the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heros of the Faith - Day 11

Gideon: Judge of Israel from 1158-1118 BC

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 (NIV)

READ: Judges 6-7 

During the period of the judges, God raised up individuals to help the Israelites through difficult circumstances.   At this time Israel was without a formal leader and they were unorganized and not unified which left them open to oppression by neighboring tribes.  They repeatedly fell into sin and idolatry after which God gave them over to their enemies for a period of time.  God raised up Gideon as a judge of Israel at the time when the Midianites were oppressing the Israelites.  This was in response to their cry for help.  God called Gideon while he was threshing wheat covertly in order to hide it from the Midianites who would steal it.  When he was told that he would delivery Israel he asked for proof to validate the message.  One of the first things that Gideon did was pull down the altar of Baal which caused the townspeople to want to put him to death.  Gideon’s father came to his rescue by saying, “If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself.”  Eventually the Midianites, Amalekies and other eastern peoples joined forces and set up camp in the valley.  The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and he gathered the people to join him in fighting.  Once again Gideon asks for a sign to help in the difficult job ahead.  One night he left a fleece of wool on the threshing floor, asking for dew on the fleece but not on the ground.   On the following morning it was as he had requested.  The next night he asked for the reverse, so he found the fleece dry and the ground wet with dew.  Then Gideon and his army of 32,000 men set up camp.  The Lord made it clear that the victory was His and not the result of superior Israelite might so he requested Gideon to send back those trembling with fear causing 22,000 to return home leaving only 10,000.  But the Lord said this was still too many so He set up a test based on drinking water leaving only 300 to stay and fight with the rest being sent home.  The Lord encouraged Gideon by causing him to overhear a man relating his dream to a friend foretelling the defeat of Midian at the hand of Gideon.  God gave them the strategy of using trumpets, torches and smashed jars to frighten their foes who fought amongst themselves and fled.  It was God’s victory!  The writer of Hebrews includes Gideon as one of the heroes of the faith (Heb. 11:32) as he learned to trust God with the impossible.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heros of the Faith - Day 10

Barak: Judge of Israel from 1205-1165 BC

At Barak’s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. Judges 4:15 (NIV)

READ:  Judges 4-5

After the children of Israel took hold of the Promised Land they had no central government system.  So, in times of crisis, God raised up judges as leaders for the people.  The people usually fell into trouble due to their own apostasy, which brought on punishment from God.  They would cry to the Lord to rescue them and he would raise up a judge to help them.  Barak became a significant part of Israel’s history during the period of the judges when he was summoned by Deborah, a prophet, to lead volunteers against the forces of Jabin, king of the Canaanites.  Israel had been brought into bondage as one of a series of punishments Yahweh had inflicted upon his people because they had abandoned Him for idolatry.  When this punishment got really bad, and in response to national repentance, a deliverer would be raised up and become a judge.  When Deborah summoned him to leadership, Barak flatly refused to lead the people unless she agreed to accompany him into battle.  Barak led the people to destroy their enemies; this victory is celebrated by Deborah’s song in Judges 5.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.

Foundations: Heros of the Faith - Day 9

Rahab (c. 1390-1330 BC)

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.  Hebrews 11: 31 (NIV)

READ:  Joshua 2

Rahab was a prostitute of Jericho at whose house two spies stayed just prior to the conquest of Canaan by Joshua.  She made an agreement with the spies to guarantee the safety of her family and herself and she hid the spies from the king’s men who were searching for them helping them escape through her window on the city wall.  At the fall of Jericho, Joshua spared Rahab and her relatives.  According to Matthew, Rahab became the mother of Boaz who married Ruth and who were the great-grandparents of David which makes Rahab an ancestor of Jesus.  The writer of Hebrews commends her for her faith and James refers to her as demonstrating faith by good works (Jam. 2:25).  This once heathen harlot chose to leave her sinful life behind her and follow the one true God.  She was saved and is an illustration of the miracle of salvation as she was sanctified and is now known for her faith which brought a change in heart and life.  She exemplified her faith with her brave act of hiding the spies as she believed and acted on her confession at the risk of her life.  

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2.  Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3.  Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.