Zane Hodges Library

History repeats itself in two very similar stories of two different kings of Israel and their sons. These stories serve as a lesson for us. We often repeat the mistakes and failures of our parents, even without us realizing this. What things have you picked up from your home and family life, that God would like to see changed? If there are things in our personal history that need changing, it is not just for us, but also for our descendants. As believers, there is no need for us to imitate our parents' failings, but we can imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Other passages mentioned include: Numbers 14:18; Galatians 2:20.

Although King Asa undertakes many impressive reforms in removing idolatry from the land of Israel, King Asa fails to remove the high places and make the house of God the unique center of the worship of God in Israel. Unfortunately, King Asa also impoverishes the house of God by using its treasures for security instead of seeking security from God. Likewise, the modern church has also lost the center of its worship. The center of worship in the early church was the Lord's Supper. Zane discusses the observance of the Lord's Supper and its role in the corporate worship of the church.

Other passage mentioned include: Deuteronomy 12:1-14; Acts 20:7-12; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Acts 2:41-46; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 2 Chronicles 14:8-16:9; John 4:20-24.

Are we afraid to confront situations, that need to be addressed, because we are afraid of the consequences? Rehoboam has become a gun-shy king after losing ten of the tribes of Israel from his kingdom. Are we gun-shy from following the word of God, because we are afraid of the consequences that may follow? How should churches handle God's commandments for women to be silent during the Lord's Supper meeting of the church? How should churches handle immorality in the church? We must not be gun-shy when the word of God and the commandments of God are at issue. When we fail to confront what is wrong in situations where we need to stand for the word of God, we will experience valuable losses.

Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 12:1-23; 1 Kings 3:2-12; 2 Kings 18:1-4, 17-22; Deuteronomy 12:1-14; 2 Kings 19:35; 1 Corinthians 15:5; 2 Chronicles 12:1-7; and Proverbs 18:10.

Zane's discussion of this passage, given after the high school shooting at Columbine high school, reminds us of God's love, mercy and compassion for children, even when it appears negative things are happening to our children. Even if God has tried to get your attention by things that have happened to your children, God is not going to punish you through your children by being vindictive to your children. Everything that God has done in the lives of your children is designed for the good of your children. Don't force God to try to get your attention through things that happen to your children. Be open to God and examine yourselves and the lives of your children. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 11:26-13:32; Luke 18:16; Psalm 139:23-24.

In this passage about two prophets, who are not named, there are lessons for us on testing those who claim to speak for God by the word of God, and that the word of God always remains true, even when the servants who bear the word of God fail Him. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Peter 2:11; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14; Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1

After the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, she remarks how the Lord loves King Solomon and the nation of Israel. The real secret of fidelity and faithfulness to God is not to be found in wisdom and knowledge, but to be found in the love of God to which we respond in love. Every day the Lord gives you is a token of His love and mercy. Do you love the God who loves you? Zane reflects upon the heart attack he had earlier in 1998. At the end, a questionnaire asks whether the Queen of Sheba's questions may have included, is there life after death and how one receives eternal life. Other passages mentioned include: 2 Samuel 12:24-25; 1 Corinthians 13:1-2; John 14:21, 23; 1 John 4:19; 1 Kings 11:1-2.

The Israelites leave full of joy after the feast for the dedication of the temple. Do we go home from the Lord's Supper, joyful and glad of heart for all that the Lord has done for us? God appears to Solomon 13 years after Solomon's prayer to warn Solomon to be careful, otherwise, the destruction of his kingdom awaits. Although a believer is saved and permanently secure, if a believer turns his back on God, then the temporal blessings that a believer enjoys may be lost. Solomon did not express proper appreciation for all that his good friend, Hiram, had done. We need to be careful, that we are grateful and express proper appreciation for all that God has done for us. Other passages mentioned include: John 2:19-21; John 1:14; 2 Kings 25:1-9; Romans 1:21-23.

Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple left out something very important. Every day we need God's help for that day to live acceptably before Him and to honor Him in the sight of others. It is through prayer that we bring our weaknesses to be strengthened by the power of God. Other passages mentioned include: Psalms 119:35-37; Psalms 141:3-4.

For the first time in about 500 years, the glory of God appears to the nation of Israel in God's temple. What lead up to the manifestation of God's glory after all this time to the nation of Israel, and how can this be applied to Victor Street Bible Chapel? Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 6:1; 2 Samuel 6:1-17; Hebrews 13:15-16; Hebrews 10:19-22.

The Sea is a giant basin, which represents that salvation is of the Jews. The water carts and the reservoirs that they contain illustrate our need for ourselves to be clean and our sacrifices to be clean when we come to worship God at the Lord's Table. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 7:13; John 4:20,22; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-26; 2 Chronicles 4:6; Leviticus 1; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Timothy 4:3-5; John 4:24.