Fusion Community Church

The Story: Between the Lines-Part one: An Old-Fashion Love Story

(Genesis chapters 27-30)

Gen27: Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into giving Jacob his blessing. Esau vowed revenge so Rebekah told Jacob to go to her brother Laban.

Gen28: Isaac sent Jacob to marry one of Laban's daughters. On the way Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven and the LORD blessed him.

Gen29: Jacob worked for Laban seven years to marry Rachel, but Laban gave him Leah and made him work seven more for Rachel. Leah had sons.

Gen30: Rachel's maid had sons for Jacob, then Leah's maid, then Leah. Finally Rachel had a son. Laban allowed Jacob flocks as wages to stay.

We encourage you to go read the full chapters, or listen to them thru the Bible app or even YouTube has them. Always, always go back to the source.

Lord God thank you for your Word of wisdom, open our minds, our hearts, let us hear and comprehend the story of Jacob. Heavenly Father we pray for our families, our communities. To God alone be all Glory. Amen.

 

The Story Chapter 21 "Rebuilding the Walls"

What is Nehemiah about?

After 70 years in exile, the Jews had returned home and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. They were able to worship God in their own land, but the city still lay in ruins. The once-great capital of the promised land was a depressing rubble heap exposed to her enemies.

When Nehemiah hears this, he sets out to restore the city walls. The book of Nehemiah is his story in his own words.

The book of Nehemiah is about reestablishing God’s people both physically and spiritually.

In the first part of the book, Nehemiah restores Jerusalem in a physical sense. When Nehemiah hears that “the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire,” (Neh 1:3), he gets permission from Persian King Artaxerxes to rebuild the city. The governors of surrounding territories viciously oppose Nehemiah’s efforts, but the wall is finished in just 52 days (Neh 7:15). Nehemiah also restores economic justice in the land, admonishing the wealthy for taking advantage of their less fortunate brothers (Neh 5).

In the second section, Nehemiah and Ezra bring spiritual revival to Jerusalem. Ezra reads the law of Moses aloud to the people, and the nation rededicates to obeying God. Later on, Nehemiah works diligently to point people back to the law of Moses (Neh 13).

Nehemiah writes in first person. His story is peppered with personal commentary—sometimes it reads like a historical account, and sometimes it reads like Nehemiah’s journal. We know when he is afraid (Neh 2:2). We know when he is angry (Neh 5:6). We even see him break his own narrative with prayers to God (Neh 13:14). This book gives us a look into the mind of an Old Testament man of God, giving us examples of how to lead, pray, and deal with discouragement.

Theme verse of Nehemiah

“Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.” (Neh 5:19)

Nehemiah’s role in the Bible

Like the books of Ezra and Esther, Nehemiah tells us what happened after the Jewish exile to Babylon. Israel has been disciplined, and is now being restored to her land and her God. Nehemiah chronicles God’s covenant relationship with Israel, and even provides a sweeping overview of the relationship in Nehemiah chapter 9.

Ezra and Nehemiah were originally considered parts one and two of the same work, and for a good reason: together, they tell the story of God restoring His people—keeping His promise to them in Deuteronomy 30.

Quick outline of Nehemiah

1. Rebuilding the wall (Neh 1–7)
   • Nehemiah gets permission to rebuild Jerusalem. (Neh 1–2)
   • City wall construction begins (Neh 3)
   • Enemies threaten construction (Neh 4)
   • Nehemiah alleviates pressure on the poor (Neh 5)
   • The wall is completed despite the enemies’ plots (Neh 6)
   • Nehemiah numbers the people (Neh 7)
2. Remembering the law (Neh 8–13)
   • Ezra reads the law to the people (Neh 8:1–12)
   • Israel reinstates the Feast of Booths (Neh 8:13–18)
   • Israel confesses sin and rededicates to God (Neh 9–10)
   • Census of the Jews in the land (Neh 11–12:26)
   • The people worship on the wall (Neh 12:27–47)
   • Nehemiah keeps aligning the people to God’s law (Neh 13)

 

https://overviewbible.com/nehemiah/

The Story chapter 20 'The Queen of Beauty and Courage"

The book is divided into 10 chapters. Here is a quick summary of their contents:

Chapter 1: King Achashveirosh of Persia holds two giant parties, and he has his wife, Vashti, executed.

Chapter 2: A search for a new queen results in Esther (cousin of the Torah sage Mordechai) being taken to the palace, but not sharing her Jewish identity. Together, they save the king from two plotting palace staffers.

Chapter 3: The evil advisor, Haman, convinces the king to have all the Jews in his empire executed on one day: Adar 13.

Chapter 4: Mordechai prevails upon Esther to intercede before the king.

Chapter 5: Esther invites the king and Haman to a private party, at which she invites both of them to a second party. Haman decides to erect gallows on which to hang Mordechai, who bravely refuses to bow to him.

Chapter 6: The king is unable to sleep, and on that night is reminded that he never rewarded Mordechai for saving his life. He asks Haman to parade Mordechai around town, dressed in royal clothing, riding the king’s horse.

Chapter 7: At the second party, Esther tells the king that Haman wishes to exterminate her people. Enraged, the king has Haman strung up on the gallows he had prepared.

Chapter 8: Orders are issued in the king’s name, authorizing the Jews to defend themselves and kill those who wish to kill them.

Chapter 9: The Jews defend themselves on on Adar 13 and rest on Adar 14. In the capital of Shushan, an extra day is needed, and the rest is delayed to Adar 15. Esther has the events recorded, and scrolls are sent to Jews all over.

(At the point in the story that describes how the 10 sons of Haman were killed and hanged on the gallows, the words in the Megillah are actually stacked in a column, using a format seen in just a few places in scripture.)

Chapter 10: The events are included in the records of Persia and Media, and Mordechai is a wildly popular viceroy.

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/3602036/jewish/What-Is-the-Book-of-Esther-About.htm?

The Story, Chapter 19 "The Return Home"

The Story, Chapter 19

"The Return Home"

 

In chapter 19 of The Story we find that the exiles have been allowed to return home from Babylon to Jerusalem with the instructions that they are to rebuild the temple.  This is a moment they have been waiting for!  Not only are they receiving their freedom after 70 years in captivity but they are being invited/instructed to rebuild the central place of worship for their community of faith.  

The Story, Chapter 18 "Daniel in Exile"

Isaiah was right. Jeremiah was right. Habakkuk was right. The Babylonians had attacked Jerusalem and carried off many Jewish captives. One of them was a young man named Daniel.

Daniel quickly distinguishes himself from the men of Babylon. He is loyal to his God. He is wise beyond his years. He can even interpret visions and dreams—accurately. Daniel’s gifts are from the God of Israel, and the young man becomes a living testimony to his God in a strange land.

Daniel also has vivid, symbolic visions about the future of Israel, world kingdoms, and the kingdom of God—exposing us to some of God’s long-term plan for the world.

The book of Daniel is about how God shows His everlasting wisdom, power, and faithfulness through one of Israel’s greatest prophets. 

• God’s wisdom is pervasive in the book of Daniel. In God’s wisdom, Daniel was brought to Babylon to give counsel. Through God’s wisdom, Daniel is proven to be a trustworthy prophet, even capable of interpreting other people’s dreams—a gift only shared by Joseph in Genesis (Gn 41:15) and an unnamed man in Judges (Jdg 7:13–14). Daniel attributes his vast wisdom, insight, and understanding to his wise God (Dan 2:28).
• Daniel puts God’s sovereignty is on display. The God of Israel is consistently called the Most High God in the book of Daniel. He is the one who raises and removes kings. He is the one who establishes new world empires. He is the Ancient of Days on the throne (Dan 7:9). He is the God of heaven, whose kingdom will never be destroyed (Dan 2:44).
• Daniel’s visions show God’s faithfulness to His people. God cares for His people, and gives them a set of prophecies that point to the events that come in later days. Daniel prophecies about the Messiah, the temple, Jerusalem, and a coming kingdom of righteousness. Through Daniel, God promises a full restoration of Israel.

Daniel can be neatly divided into two parts. The first half is primarily narrative, and concerns Daniel’s life in Babylon under foreign kings. The second half is mostly a record of Daniel’s visions concerning Israel and world empires. There are many interesting similarities and contrasts between the two halves:

1.  In the first six chapters:
   • Daniel interprets visions for foreign kings.
   • God’s fame among the nations is emphasized.
   • Daniel’s stories are written in third person.
   • Most text is written in Aramaic.
2. In the last six chapters:
   • God gives visions directly to Daniel.
   • God’s faithfulness to His nation is emphasized.
   • Daniel writes in first person.
   • Most text is written in Hebrew.

Although Daniel is rich with prophetic visions, the book is better known for its narrative passages in the first half. Many of the stories from Daniel’s narrative sections are taught to children, and several English idioms are references to this book:

• The “fiery furnace” story involves Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The three friends defy King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship a golden image, and the king hurls them into a blazing furnace. God intervenes, however, and the three are miraculously unharmed. (Dan 3)
• The “handwriting on the wall” is a reference to God’s work in the fifth chapter of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar’s descendant Belshazzar uses vessels stolen from the Jew’s temple to praise other gods, but is interrupted when a hand mysteriously appears and writes a cryptic message on the wall. Daniel is the only one who can interpret the message: God will repay Belshazzar by handing over his kingdom to the Medes and Persians.
• In the “lions’ den” episode, Daniel obeys God rather than men. Daniel has been awarded a position of power in Babylon after the Medes and Persians  overthrew the Babylonian king Belshazzar. Daniel’s peers are jealous, and trick the king into making prayer to God illegal. Daniel does not stop praying, and so he is is thrown to the lions. God delivers Daniel, though, and he survives the night in the lions’ den. (Dan 6)

The book of Daniel is a compelling record of God’s wisdom and sovereignty, and it’s a key book to study if you’re interested in biblical prophecy.

Theme verse of Daniel

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.” (Dan 2:21)

Daniel’s role in the Bible

Daniel is the last of the major prophets (the others are Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel), and he was a captive of Judah.

The book of Daniel plays several roles in the Bible. Daniel’s life serves as an example of godly integrity. His visions paint a prophetic landscape for Daniel’s contemporaries. Jesus Christ references Daniel when He describes the future to his apostles (Mt 24:15).

Daniel’s role is unique in that its intended audience is not necessarily Jewish. The book was written in two languages, and Daniel’s ministry seems more weighted toward supporting the government in Babylon than leading the Jewish community.

Another interesting thing to note: Daniel is one of the few OT books that explicitly references a bodily resurrection. In Daniel’s last vision, an angel tells him, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt” (Dan 12:2). The angel even promises Daniel’s resurrection in the end (Dan 12:13).

 

https://overviewbible.com/daniel/

 

The Story, Chapter 17 "The Kingdoms Fall"

'Early in the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord : This is what the Lord said to me: “Make a yoke out of straps and crossbars and put it on your neck. Then send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. Give them a message for their masters and say, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him. “ ‘ “If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the Lord , until I destroy it by his hand. So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish. But if any nation will bow its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own land to till it and to live there, declares the Lord .” ’ ” I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. ‘I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord . ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’ ” Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles from the Lord ’s house will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you. Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin? If they are prophets and have the word of the Lord , let them plead with the Lord Almighty that the articles remaining in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon. For this is what the Lord Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem— yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem: ‘They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,’ declares the Lord . ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’ ”' Jeremiah 27:1-22 https://my.bible.com/bible/111/JER.27.1-22

'This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord . This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord , “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord , “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” You may say, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,” but this is what the Lord says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your fellow citizens who did not go with you into exile— yes, this is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will send the sword, famine and plague against them and I will make them like figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten. I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse and an object of horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them. For they have not listened to my words,” declares the Lord , “words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either,” declares the Lord . Therefore, hear the word of the Lord , all you exiles whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: “I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes. Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.’ For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and in my name they have uttered lies—which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it,” declares the Lord . ' Jeremiah 29:1-23 https://my.bible.com/bible/111/JER.29.1-23

 

The Story, Chapter 16 "Beginning of The End"

The Story, Chapter 16

Beginning of the End.

Hezekiah came to the throne of Judah at the age of 25 years. He ruled with his whole heart by zealous enthusiasm for God, which spread to the people of Judah and throughout Israel. He showed great humility and wisdom and God caused him to prosper through tremendous blessings.

Ironically Hezekiah grew up under the rule of his wicked father Ahaz, so he didn’t exactly have a good role model to look to. King Ahaz faltered in every conceivable way against God, even sacrificing one of his sons to Molech through the fire (2 Kings 16:1-4). Perhaps Ahaz had no time or interest in his son and instead Hezekiah was influenced by his mother Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. In any event, Hezekiah immediately changed everything once he assumed the throne and had the power to do so. God did not expect Hezekiah to take on the huge task of turning the kingdom around by himself. God gave Hezekiah the Hebrew prophet Isaiah to help him throughout his life.

Hezekiah immediately destroys pagan idols

In the first month of his reign, Hezekiah immediately got to work and smashed down all the pagan altars and wooden images throughout the hills of Judah. He began to clean out and repair the temple and restored temple worship. The temple had been neglected for many years to the point where the rooms were full of junk and rubbish, including idols in the sanctuary. Hezekiah gave orders for the Levites to begin the sanctification of the Lord’s house, for them and the animals slaughtered for sacrificial atonement of the sins for all Israel, and this was carried out quickly over 16 days, but not in time for the Passover. There was just so much to do in such a short period of time to be ready for the Passover. You can read about all the details in 2 Chronicles 29 and 30. Hence, King Hezekiah and his people kept a second Passover (Numbers 9:10-12) and did so with such joy and enthusiasm that they kept the Days of Unleavened Bread for an additional seven days. Hezekiah began his reign with total heartfelt dedication and obedience to God. He also showed godly attitude and concern for his people

In 2 Kings 18:5-7 we are told, “He (Hezekiah) trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went” (New King James Version). Despite the many accounts of others attempting to overthrow his rule, God blessed Hezekiah for success in conquering his enemies despite seemingly overwhelming odds, and so he conquered the Philistines and the relentless evil Sennacherib.

Hezekiah seeks God to fight for the people of Israel

The famous account of Sennacherib, king of Assyria in approximately 701 B.C., who attempted to overthrow and capture Jerusalem, is a very interesting read in 2 Kings 19. God intervened for Hezekiah by sending an angel to destroy 185,000 Assyrians in one night. Why did God do this? Hezekiah was faithful and sought God through prayer. Hezekiah listened to God through the prophet Isaiah despite Sennacherib’s false words and lies, trickery, cunning, deceit, ridicule, taunting, intimidation and reputation for severe cruelty. In 2 Kings 19:14-19 and Isaiah 37:14-20 you can read exactly what Hezekiah did when faced with these threats in the form of a delivered letter. His prayer was so heartfelt, humble and praiseworthy to God. God indeed listened to Hezekiah’s prayers and delivered His people.

Arrogant Sennacherib was feared by so many due to the abject terror he displayed, but as soon as he returned home to Nineveh he was brutally killed by his sons and his untimely end can be referred to in 2 Kings 19:36-37.

God extends Hezekiah’s life

At some point after this Hezekiah became ill and was near death. Isaiah came to Hezekiah in the palace and told him that he must set his house in order, as he will shortly die. Upon hearing this proclamation Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to God and wept bitterly, asking nothing more than he be remembered for his loyalty (2 Kings 20:1-3). Even before Isaiah left the building, God told him to return and tell Hezekiah that He saw his tears and He would heal him and add 15 years to his life. Isaiah returned and put figs on the boil of Hezekiah’s flesh and he was healed. 

God did even more than this for Hezekiah. He gave him a sign of his own choosing to know that he would be healed. Through the prophet Isaiah, God offered Hezekiah a choice of whether he wanted the shadow on the sundial to move forward or backward by ten degrees. Hezekiah reasoned that moving time backward would be more difficult, as time always moves forward. This is spoken of in 2 Kings 20:8-11. Imagine God turning back time for one of us if we asked Him to! 

News of Hezekiah’s illness reaches Babylon

In 2 Kings 20:12-19 we see that Berodach-Baladan, son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, and the Bible says that Hezekiah was responsive to this attention. So much so that Hezekiah welcomed him without regard to intent or purposes, and readily showed him everything he had in his treasury house, his entire armory, and all within his dominion. In fact, there was nothing that he did not show Berodach-Baladan. 

Obviously this was not a wise thing to do. Hezekiah got caught up rather naively in thinking that the king of Babylon and his son meant well and wanted to bring gifts as part of genuine concern for his health and well-being, and to show kindness and peace. Having had God work so miraculously in fighting his battles, news of Hezekiah and his success over the “undefeated” king of Assyria would have spread to far-off lands. It would appear that Hezekiah was caught in a weak moment of pride while abundance and peace prevailed. God allowed for Hezekiah to be tested so he would know exactly all that was in his heart. In 2 Chronicles 32:25-26 we are told that Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up and that wrath was impending over him, Judah and Jerusalem. But “then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” 

When Isaiah confronted Hezekiah by asking what the visitors had seen in his house, Hezekiah responded truthfully and told him that not one thing was held back from their sight. Isaiah then declared from the word of the Lord that everything Hezekiah and his fathers had accumulated until this time would be carried off to Babylon. Not only that, but some of Hezekiah’s sons would become eunuchs in the king of Babylon’s palace.

There are always consequences to each and every decision we make. God chose not to punish Hezekiah directly because of his repentant attitude, but the consequences would be put onto the forthcoming generations.

 

https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/timely-lessons-from-the-life-of-hezekiah

 

 

 

The Story, Chapter 15 "God's Messengers"

The Story, Chapter 15

God's Messengers

There were some wicked people in the kingdom of Israel. They worshiped an idol named Baal. There were 850 priests of Baal. They were wicked priests.

1 Kings 18:19

The prophet Elijah talked to King Ahab. He told Ahab to bring all his people to a mountain. Elijah wanted the wicked priests of Baal to come, too.

1 Kings 18:17–19

Elijah said they must choose to worship God or Baal. They could not worship both. It is wicked to worship idols.

1 Kings 18:21

Elijah wanted to show the people that idols have no power. Elijah asked for two bulls for a sacrifice. He asked for some wood. He gave a bull and some of the wood to the priests of Baal. He kept a bull and some wood for his sacrifice.

1 Kings 18:23

Elijah told the priests not to burn the sacrifice. He told the priests to pray to their idol. He said Baal must burn the sacrifice.

1 Kings 18:24–25

The wicked priests prayed to Baal all morning. They jumped on the altar and shouted. Baal did not answer. Baal was only an idol.

1 Kings 18:26

Elijah told the priests to pray louder. He made fun of them. He said their idol must be sleeping.

1 Kings 18:27

The wicked priests prayed louder and louder. They prayed all day. Baal did not answer. The priests’ sacrifice did not burn.

1 Kings 18:28–29

Elijah told the people to come close to him. Elijah told them he would pray to God. He said God would send fire down from heaven. God would burn his sacrifice. Elijah built an altar of stones. He dug around the altar. Elijah put the bull and some wood on the altar.

1 Kings 18:30–33

Elijah asked men to bring four barrels of water. He told them to pour the water on the sacrifice. Then he asked the men to bring four more barrels of water. Again they poured the water on the sacrifice. He told them to bring four more barrels of water. They poured the water on the sacrifice, too.

1 Kings 18:33–35

Elijah prayed to God. Elijah wanted the people to worship God. He asked God to help him.

1 Kings 18:36–37

God sent fire down from heaven. The fire burned Elijah’s sacrifice. It burned the wood and the stones. It dried up all the water. The people saw the power of God. They knew the idols had no power. All the wicked priests of Baal were killed.

1 Kings 18:38–40

The Story, chapter 14 "A Kingdom Torn in Two"

This part of The Story is about the power of idols. What are idols? Anything that takes a higher priority in your life before God. Here are some examples of idols from my own life:

• My family
• My job
• Deer hunting
• Home or cars
• Sports
• Money
• Food

If we look around the walls of our homes, we often see clues to our idols. Are they reminders of your salvation in Christ and your relationship with Him or something else?

In The Story, Lesson 14 ... before King Reheboam or King Jereboam began to worship idols and lead their nation in worshipping idols, King Solomon gave in to a weakness and began to worship idols, too. He began amassing wealth for himself instead of following God ... he began worshipping himself and the love of money. This didn’t happen overnight, it took place over many years

The Story, Chapter 13 "The King Who Had It All"

The Story, Chapter 13

"The King Who Had It All"

 

If you drop a frog into a boiling pot of water, the frog will jump out.  But, if you put a frog into a lukewarm pot of water, you can slowly turn the heat up on it and the frog will stay in the pot and boil to death. Frogs can detect sudden changes in their environment, but they cannot detect small, subtle changes. And by the time that they recognize that they are in a dangerous situation, it’s too late - their bodies are too weak to get out.
 
So, why am I telling you this?  Chapter 13 of The Story is the story of King Solomon.  Solomon started off strong, like a frog … green.  He knew nothing about being a king, He only knew what his father David had told him about loving God and obeying God and knowing God. But one day, Solomon stepped into a pot of lukewarm water and didn’t recognize what was happening ... and eventually got cooked.
 
When King David passed the baton to his son Solomon, everything started off going Solomon's way - he had it all. God came to Solomon in a dream and God said to Solomon, “Ask me for whatever you want — anything, and I’ll give it to you.”  That’s a very interesting test. If God were to offer you anything in the world, what would you ask for?  Here’s how Solomon responded: “Now Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David.  But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  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?”
 
Solomon asked for a discerning heart, because no matter how smart the mind may be, if the heart is wrong, all of life will be wrong. God was pleased with Solomon’s request and granted it. Solomon not only ruled with wisdom, but he also wrote down the wisdom that God put in his brain for all people to read and to live out. We find this in the Book of Proverbs. It’s amazing because, in Proverbs, Solomon identified all kinds of lukewarm pots that should be avoided … he KNEW if people got into them, they'd end up being cooked…….