1 Kings: Walk Before Me Faithfullyنموونە

The final part of the dedication of the temple sees King Solomon turn from the altar to face and bless the people (vv. 54–55), as he did briefly in verse 14. Again the theme of the faithfulness of God is paramount, this time because God has given the promised rest to his people. This theme reminds us of God’s rest on the seventh day after completing his work of creation. As God has gradually been bringing about the promises to Abraham and David, he is seeking to re-establish that perfect rest – something that ultimately Jesus will do (Matthew 11:28–29). 

Thus Solomon can say, ‘Not one word has failed of all the good promises’ God gave (v. 56). Could we echo those words today? In a world where those against Christianity seem to have the upper hand, it may appear that God is far from faithful. God’s faithfulness remains an important topic for believers to grasp. 

As we saw in the previous reflection, here again, the theme of God’s universal desire for the nations is explicit. Solomon has asked God to be faithful to his people ‘so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other’ (v. 60). 

This echoes Deuteronomy 4:35, 39. The blessing on Solomon and his kingdom is not favouritism by God but his strategy to win the nations. Israel’s devotion to the Lord is thus for this universal aim (v. 61). 

Israel’s role as the vehicle for blessing the nations now belongs to the church. The church has certainly been instrumental in bringing the gospel to the world and now exists all over the world. However, the weakness and failings of the church, especially in the West, are alarming. Because it is through the church that the world will find blessing, we need to pray that God will not judge the church as it deserves. Instead, we should pray that God, in faithfulness to his promise, would restore the church for the sake of world mission and blessing.

Reflection

How do the blessings you have received from God serve God’s desire and mission to win the nations?