Solomon-The Gifts God Gave

By Mary Vee
I Kings 4 and II chronicles 1, 9

A Servant's Journal

I have never heard of, nor seen a king like Solomon. God has blessed our king tremendously. He has given him gifts that surpass others. Let me tell you about Solomon, our king of Israel.

God has given Solomon wisdom. Not just for certain times or about certain topics. Solomon's wisdom exceeds the wisdom of all the men of the east, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He is wiser than any other man.

How do we know? Many came to test him. Solomon proved wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite; Heman; Caldol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. Solomon's fame spread to all the surrounding nations.

People came from far away to hear him speak. Our king spoke three thousand proverbs, his songs numbered a thousand and five. He describes plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of  walls. He has taught many about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Men have been sent by kings of all nations to listen to Solomon's wisdom.

Visitors bring gifts for our king. Solomon has received 666 talents of gold, not including payments due from merchants and traders, all the Arabian kings, and the governors of the land.

With the gold, King Solomon filled the storehouse with weapons fashioned from the gold. He made his throne with inlaid ivory and overlaid it with fine gold. A magnificent throne with six steps and on each side of the seat a lion stands. Twelve lions stand on the steps, one on each side of the step. No throne for any other king comes close to the magnificence of Solomon's throne.

All of King Solomon's goblets are gold and absolutely nothing has been made with silver, because, well, silver has little or no value. Solomon decorated our city with the gold he received, making this precious metal as common in Jerusalem as stones. He also used the great cedars of Lebanon throughout the city. 

Greater than all the king's possessions on earth, are the riches of my king, Solomon. People come from far all over the world to hear the wisdom God put in his heart.

Year after year, each person who has visited brings a gift: silver, gold, clothing, weapons, spices, and animals. 

How rich our country is. How privileged we are to have Solomon as our king. But greater than these, how blessed we are to worship God.

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photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

1.  How do we know Solomon was wise?
2.  Solomon spoke ___________ proverbs and __________ songs.
3.  Solomon decorated the city of Jerusalem with ___________ and _________
4.  Solomon was wiser than __________
5.  Solomon was richer than ____________
6.  Solomon had wisdom and riches because ________ gave them to him.

Hudson Taylor-Thieves and Scoundrels

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

What a journey full of challenges. 

Last time, you may recall, I tried to sail up to Ningbo where my missionary friend, Dr. Parker is working to purchase medical supplies at a cheaper price, (my supplies had been lost in a fire). The river waters could not carry the boat due to a draught. I had to get off at the last port, hire workers to carry my things (bed, and other large items) to the next port. I walked ahead of them but then waited at a village along the road. Without my seeing, the workers passed the village and went on to the next port.

Darkness settled and made walking unsafe. I stayed the night where I stopped but rose early the next morning. I walked to the port city of Haining, arriving late in the afternoon and asked if anyone had seen workers carrying a bed. A few said, "Yes we saw such workers and believe they walked toward the East Gate where people go to trade items.

Oh dear. I prayed, "Lord, please let this not be so. Perhaps they are mistaken."  I asked a few other people. None had seen the workers.

I had no other choice than to stay in the city and search for the workers in the morning. With all the excitement, I felt quite tired and wanted to have supper. But each Inn I stopped at refused to let me rent a room. Even though I dressed Chinese, they still yelled at me and called me a foreign devil.

At midnight I could no longer hold my eyes open. I plopped down on the front stone steps of the temple and leaned against the steps.  So caught up in the day, my eyes didn't close right away. This, I truly thank the Lord. 

In the shadows a person crept toward me. They must have thought I had fallen asleep. He moved closer until he felt my coat, searching for a pocket. "What do you want?" I said. Hah. The man's eyes popped wide and he ran away.

A while later, though, the same man returned, this time with a friend. They must have thought I fell into a deep sleep because they lifted my head, no doubt searching for my money. Again I said, "What are you doing?" and used a demanding tone this time.

"Nothing." One replied. "Like you, we plan to stay the night."

I wanted to sleep. "Than go on the other side of the steps. This is my spot."

But the men refused to leave. I sat up and huffed. One man said, "You better sleep. You will be too tired to walk tomorrow. Don't be afraid. We will protect you."

I rubbed my eyes and yawned. "Thank you very much for your kind offer, but I don't need any protection." He yawned again. "I am not Chinese. I don't worship the meaningless idols you do. I am a Christian and worship the living God, He is my Father. I know who you are and what you want. I will remain awake all night and keep my eyes on you. Trust me. I will do as I have said."

My threat didn't work. One of the men left and the other watched me. Not much later the one man returned with a friend. Now there were three watching me and I had trouble staying awake.

I sang Christian hymns, quoted Scriptures, prayed all to stay awake. My companions became very angry with me. They did not want to hear my words. I spoke in Chinese and English, which annoyed them even more. Shortly before dawn the men left for good allowing me a short time to sleep. 

I set out in search of the workers and my belongings the next morning, but realized I needed to return to Shanghai. While I walked, I realized I had not prayed for good lodging in Haining. "Oh yes, Lord. Forgive me. I should have asked your help." A moment later another thought came to me. I had focused all my thoughts on finding my belongings instead of telling those around me about the God who loves them. I have been so selfish.

I stopped at a Changwan and ate a good meal. Found a place to nap. When I woke I continued walking to my destination. I prayed with each step I took. I prayed for my friends in England, for my missionary friends, Parker and Burns, I prayed for the lost souls I would meet. And as I prayed, I felt refreshed, tears of joy. Although I had little sleep, walked a long ways, and ate little food, I felt surprisingly refreshed as I arrived at my destination.

I stopped at the city gate and prayed. "Lord. I need a place to sleep. One with safety, one that will allow a foreigner to rest."  I did not find an inn that night. 

Instead a nice family invited me to sleep on their riverboat. What a delightful rest I had. 

Truly God takes care of His own. I plan to continue to the port in Shihmenwan where I left a few days ago. I'll buy a ticket and sail back to Shanghai. This did not turn out to be a useless trip. This time the lesson was for me.


Please pray that I will receive the support I need to continue this work and find my belongings.

J. Hudson Taylor
Missionary to China

Do you have any questions?

Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Solomon-God Has Given Me a Task

By Mary Vee
I Kings 9 and II Chronicles 8

From Solomon's Scrolls

I never expected to become an architect, construction manager, or interior decorator. I did expect to serve as judge when the people brought me their problems. These are some big hats to wear. Hat's God has given me the abilities to do.

My days have not been boring in the least. I actually have enjoy participating in each project, watching new building raised from the ground into something honoring God. 

As you know, the temple has been completed and dedicated to God. My palace which I use for living quarters, my work, and separate living quarters for my wife, Pharaoh's daughter, is also completed. The next work project is rebuilding the cities.

During the years we Israelites have lived in this land, cities have been conquered. In order for our people to move into these cities, we must repair and rebuild those cities. The people are excited to have new homes, markets, and gathering places. There has been no shortage of volunteers willing to give their time and money for this project. We also use foreigners who have been conquered and still live on our land. Everyone living here must work to improve the country.

God has given us this land. By taking care of our new dwelling place, we will be able to serve Him better.

Rebuilding our cities is not enough, though. As we completed work on cities, I took the workers and used them to build ships at Ezion Geber which is near the shore of the Red Sea, on the south western edge of our territory. 

My friend Hiram, king of Tyre sent workers as well. These workers had expertise as sailors. They served in my fleet standing along side our men, training and teaching them their skills. The ships sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold for the treasury. 

Once every three years the fleet returned to our shores carrying gold, silver, ivory, apes, and baboons. 

The Lord has used these years of peace to build our nation to be a Name for Him. How very exciting. I know many years have passed since I wrote this, still, I wish you could see the country as I do.

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photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com

1. What has been the focus of these years for Israel?
2. To accomplish this God gave the country ____________
3. After rebuilding the temple and the palace, what building project did Solomon focus on?
4. And after that project what did he do.
5. Hiram, king of Tyre sent workers to _________.
6. What did the fleet bring back to the shores after three years?

Solomon-The Lord Spoke to Me in the Night

By Mary Vee
I Kings 9 and II Chroncles

From Solomon's Scrolls

The day was done. I'd eaten my supper and was ready to go to bed. The end of years of building. 

First, the temple for the Name of the Lord. And it turned out to be such a magnificent building. It stirs my heart even thinking about it right now and causes me to sing praises to God.

And second, my palace. A three building structure. One building for my living quarters, one for my work as a judge and king, and the third for my wife, Pharaoh's daughter.

I walked out to the balcony of my room to look at the night stars. There the Lord appeared to me and said:

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple of sacrifices.

When I prevent rain from falling on the ground, or command locust to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, then if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

I’ve listened to and received all your prayers, your ever-so-passionate prayers. I’ve sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. 

As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I’ve set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I’ll back your kingly rule over Israel, make it a sure thing on a solid foundation. The same guarantee I gave David your father I’m giving you: ‘You can count on always having a descendant on Israel’s throne.’

 “But if you or your sons betray me, ignoring my guidance and judgments, taking up with alien gods by serving and worshiping them, then I’ll remove from my land which I have given them and reject this Temple I’ve just sanctified to honor my Name. And Israel will become nothing but a bad joke among the peoples of the world. And this Temple, splendid as it now is, will become an object of contempt; visitors will shake their heads, saying, ‘Whatever happened to this land and temple?’ Then they’ll be told, ‘The people who used to live here betrayed their God, the very God who rescued their ancestors from Egypt; they took up with alien gods, worshiping and serving them. That’s is why he brought all this disaster on them.’”  

And then he left.

I want to respect and obey the Lord as He said to do. I pray my sons and their sons will do the same.

During the time that I had the temple and my palace built I gave twenty villages in Galilee, a city to the north, to Hiram king of Tyre in additional compensation to what I had given him before for all the cedar, pine, and gold he supplied me for the temple and palace.

Apparently Hiram visited the cities and was not pleased. He sent me a message, "What kind of towns are these you have given me, my brother?" Yes, this is what I had given him in exchange for the 120 talents of gold.

My next project, rebuild the cities of Israel.

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Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com Translations used today: The Message and NIV.

1.  Solomon had finished the first projects he planned. Who visited him?

2.  God said to Solomon, If my people, who are called ______

3.  will _________ themselves and _______ and _____, and turn _________

4.  then I will ______ and will __________ and will heal ____________

5.  What did Solomon give Hiram? Was it a good gift?

6.  What did Solomon plan to do next?

Hudson Taylor-Snake Fried in Lamp Oil

By Mary Vee

Taken from J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

I planned to eventually return to William Burns and the work we set up in Swatow. Yes. I do remember the difficulty the task and how most of the people wouldn't listen. 

It seemed the prince of evil had a firm hold on the city and the island across the way. But like quicksand, there are ways to escape. And I am proud to say my Heavenly Father is resourceful and creative and mightier than the prince of evil.

Even though I still suffered from the woes of dysentery God had lifted my spirits. The medical portion of our work had attracted attention from many Chinese and opened doors to talk about the God who loved them. 

The discovery that all the medicines and most of the medical equipment had been destroyed in a fire back in Shanghai proved to be a puzzle, not a source of distress. God flooded my mind with a plan as I lay in the bed recovering from my illness. New medicines cost too much in Shanghai. If I could find them cheeper in another place I could purchase more for the same amount of money. I needed to go visit Dr. Parker who had set up a missionary hospital north of Shanghai. 

I forced myself from bed, and sailed with my belongings toward Nignpo where Dr. Parker stayed. Another mission wanted my apartment back leaving me no place to store my belongings. So, like a vagabond, I took everything I had with me, including my bed. 

The ship moved, no it barely crawled up the river. The area along the river experienced a drought. To irrigate the fields, farmers drained water from the river, thus lowering the level. Fortunately my ship was small and could travel a greater distance than larger boats. Still, I had an unexplainable sense of urgency. 

My boat stopped at Shihmenwan, unable to travel any more in the shallow waters. I had no choice but to walk. I hired two Chines workers to carry my bed and other belongings to the next town. We only walked a short ways and the time had only reached noon when the workers stopped.

They set all my things down and said, "We're too tired to walk any more." I had smelled the drugs on them earlier, but hoped they would still be able to do the job.

There I stood in the middle of nowhere with all my belongings. Thankfully my loyal servant turned to me and said, "Would you like me to hire new workers? I will go find them." 

"Yes, thank you." I sat on the bed, knowing I could trust him to hire better workers than I had. Not long after, he returned with two workers. I didn't want to walk at the slower pace required for someone carrying such a heavy load. I gave them the instructions and walked ahead.

I stopped in a village for a rest and a cup of tea while waiting for the workers to catch up. All afternoon I watched and saw no sign. I became concerned about my things and asked the local people if they had seen workers carrying a bed and some bamboo boxes.

"Why yes," one said. "I saw two men the same as you described. They said they came from Shihmenwan and needed to take their load to Haining by nightfall to be paid."

Great. I wasted the afternoon watching for them to come when they had passed me and already arrived at the port city.

Night fell. The road way to dangerous to walk in the dark. I had to stay in the inn in this village and eat from their, um, delicious menu. Burnt cold rice and snakes fried in lamp oil. I slept on a large community bed with ten other lodgers. And the bed, well it was made of boards set across a few stools.

Tomorrow, as early as possible, I will set out for the port town and catch up with my belongings.

I should write a book about these adventures. 

Please pray that I will receive the support I need to continue this work.

J. Hudson Taylor
Missionary to China

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Solomon-The Palace

By Mary Vee
I Kings 7, II Chronicles 7

From Solomon's Scrolls

The Lord has bless me. More than my wildest imagination.

He allowed me to build a magnificent temple for Him. Just thinking about the celebration stirs my heart to sing praises to the Lord.

Now that the temple is finished. I want to build a palace. 

Yes my father had one, but the Lord's chosen people need to make a statement to the world. He is Holy and his people are cared for by Him. 

The Lord has provided us with the resources to build a grand palace, one that will draw people's interest to the Lord.

I took wood from the forest of Lebanon and built the palace a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high with four rows of cedar columns supporting trimmed cedar beams.  Magnificent, right? Yes. This is a home worthy of a king who serves the Lord.

The palace was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the columns. Forty-five beams, fifteen to a row. Its windows were placed high in sets of three, facing each other. All the doorways had rectangular frames, placed in the front in sets of three, facing each other.

Can you picture the palace? Let me tell you more of what God allowed to be built.

Over here is a colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty wide. In front of it was a portico, and in front of that were pillars, huge supporting pillars and an overhanging roof.

In my throne room, called the Hall of Justice, where I judged cases, I covered the room with cedar from floor to ceiling. Take a deep breath and inhale the cedar scent. Yes. I like that. 

My living quarters was set farther back and similar in design. 

I made a separate palace like this hall for Pharaoh's daughter, whom I married.

Large stones of good quality formed the foundations of these three buildings, some stones measuring ten cubits, some eight. We laid high-grade stones, cut to size, and cedar beams above. 

Over here is the great courtyard. As you can see it is surrounded by a wall of three layers of dressed stone and one layer of trimmed cedar beams. You may recall, the inner courtyard of the temple of the Lord had the same with its portico.

The three buildings took thirteen years to complete. 

And now the temple of the Lord and the royal palace are finished. I have finished all I had planned to do. 

Now I will wait for the Lord to tell me what is next!

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photos courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Which did Solomon build first, the temple of the palace?
2. How many buildings did he have for the palace?
3. What were the buildings used for, tell each one.
4. What trees did Solomon use for this project?
5. How long did it take to build the palace?
6. What did Solomon plan to do next/

Solomon Tabernacle-Temple Celebration

By Mary Vee
I Kings 8, II Chronicles 7

From Solomon's Scrolls

I finished the prayers to our loving God and stood after kneeling before the altar while offering prayers and supplications.

I turned to the people again, and blessed all of Israel in my loudest voice:

"Praise be to the Lord who has given us rest just as He promised. He has never failed us, not for even one promise which was given to Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was  with our fathers. May he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to Him to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, decrees, and regulations. 

May these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord be near to our Lord and God both day and night that he may support us in our cause according to each day's need, so that all the people of the world may know the Lord is God and there is no other.

But, you Israelites, your heart must be committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as you are at this time.

And then the most amazing thing happened. Fire came down from heaven and totally consumed the sacrifice on the altar behind me. 

The people fell to their knees amazed. Some cried out, some sang praises, some laughed with joy, but all worshipped God saying, "He is good, his love endures forever."

The Glory of the Lord then filled the temple. The priests stood at the temple door, unable to enter as a result.

The people and I offered sacrifices t the Lord. To show my devotion I offered twenty thousand sheep and goats. Our sacrifices completed the dedication of the temple of God.

All the Israelites stood as the Levites played their instruments, leading the people in praises to God.

I set aside a place in the middle courtyard for more sacrifices. There I also offered burnt offerings, the fat of the fellowship offerings. because there wasn't any more room on the other altar.

I ordered all the people to observe the festivals for this time for seven days. We celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the festival for seven days more. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month I told the people to go to their homes. They sang as they walked, a glorious sound. The sounded faded in the hills along with the people. 

Our hearts were so deeply glad for the good things the Lord had done for us.

Thank you, Lord God, our Almighty Father. 

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Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. After Solomon finished the prayers he turned to the people and _________
2. The Israelites were expected to be committed to _____________. To live _______
3. After the blessing what happened to the sacrifice?
4. The people fell _____________
5. The Levites _________ at the celebration.
6. How long did the people celebrate?
7. After the festivals, what did Solomon tell the people to do?

HudsonTaylor-I saved the Concertina

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

My twelfth missionary journey continues. William Burns and I have stayed in Swatow. We found God's hidden protection. It took some time for me to notice. For this I am thankful, but also sorry I did not see sooner.

Hohner D40 Concertina 

While Burns and I continued to share God's love to the people in the villages we learned that a wealthy man had been captured by the local people. He was taken to the center of the city and beaten. The attackers wanted his family to pay a ransom. Since he didn't tell them where his money was or give names of family members to pay the ransom they beat him, smashing his ankles until he finally gave them the money.

Burns and I could have been kidnapped at any time. But our loving Father protected us, guided our steps away from those who would have captured and harmed us. I am so very thankful to Him.

One day the mandarin from Swatow became severely ill. He had heard about the medical services I gave local people and chose to summon me. Under the medical treatment, the mandarin became well. He was so pleased he asked Burns and I to set up a hospital. He helped us lease an entire building. Something quite impossible for a foreigner to do.

Burns and I lived in Swatow for five months. During that time I came down with a terrible case of dysentery. I hardly knew what to do with myself I became so terribly ill. 

In July, we ran out of supplies. William and I prayed for God's leading. God spoke to our hearts and directed me to return returned to Shanghai, to my former home, to rest and get well and to get supplies. Burns continued the ministry in Swatow

When the ship docked in Shanghai, I learned all the medicines and most of the equipment had been destroyed in a fire. This ended my twelfth missionary journey. Returning to Swatow was not possible at this time.

I could not and would not give up on the calling God had given me to be a missionary in China and to use my medical knowledge to provide medical help to those in need. I had one hope. I packed all of my belongings which had been in Shanghai, my bed, a watch, a camera, surgical equipment, a concertina, and a few expensive Chinese language books on a ship. 

I decided to visit my old friend and roommate, Dr. Parker, missionary in the norther city of Ningpo, to see if I could purchase equipment from him cheaper than I would have to pay in Shanghai. 

And so my thirteenth missionary began.

Please pray that God will completely heal me from the dysentery, and that I can show the love of God to those I meet.

In His Service,
J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Solomon's Temple-Dedication Prayer II

By Mary Vee
I Kings 8, II Chronicles 6

Reader, the fanfare and time spent for the dedication of Solomon's Temple is such a lesson for us. During this lenten season, plan to spend extra time in worship with God. Mary Vee

From Solomon's Scrolls

This is the second half of the prayer I gave in the presence of all the people at the dedication of the new temple built for the Name of the Lord. The first half can be read in the last post.

"When there is not rain because your people have sinned against you, and when the people pray toward this temple and confess your name and turn from their sin because you sent the punishment, then hear from heaven and forgive our sins, your people, Israel. Teach us the right way to live and send rain on the land you gave us as an inheritance.

"When famine or plague comes to the land or blight or mildew, locust or grasshoppers, or when enemies attack any of our cities, whatever disaster or disease comes, and when we pray or plea, holding our hands toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. 

"Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know our hearts, (and you alone know our hearts). Then we will fear you and walk in your ways all the time we live in the land you gave our fathers.

"As for the foreigners living in our land, when he prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you so that all the people of earth may know your name and fear you like your people Israel and know this house I built bears your Name.

"When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and pray to you facing this city and temple I have built for your Name, then hear their prayer and plea and help them.

"But when we sin against you, there is no one who does not sin, and you become angry and allow us to be captured and taken far away or near, please hear us when we have a change of heart, repenting and pleading with you, saying, 'We have sinned. We have done wrong. We acted wickedly.' Hear us when we turn back to you with all our heart and soul and pray to you facing the land, the city, the temple you gave us. Hear us from heaven, your dwelling place. Hear our prayer and plea and fight for our cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the wrongs against you and cause our conquerors to show mercy. For we are your people and your inheritance whom you brought out of Egypt.

"May your eyes be open to our plea and may you listen to us whenever we cry out to you. For you have chosen us from all the nations of the world to be your inheritance, just as you declared through Moses when you, O Sovereign Lord, brought our fathers out of Egypt.

"Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this temple.

"Now arise, O Lord God, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.

"May your priests, O Lord God be clothed with salvation, may your saints rejoice in your goodness.'O Lord God, do not reject your anointed one.

"Remember the great love promised to David your servant."

Amen.

The people rejoiced with singing again. Their voices filled the air. O how the Lord must be pleased.

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photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

1. When the people sin and it doesn't rain, Solomon said, teach us to ___________
2. When disease or disaster hits and the people pray, facing the temple Solomon asked God to ______________.
3. Who is the only one who really knows our hearts?
4. What did Solomon ask God to do for the foreigners who prayed facing the temple?
5. When at war, and the people face the temple to pray, what did Solomon ask?
6.Here is a good verse to memorize:  May your eyes be open to our plea and may you listen to us whenever we cry out to you. For you have chosen us from all the nations of the world to be your inheritance, just as you declared through Moses when you, O Sovereign Lord, brought our fathers out of Egypt.

Solomon's Temple-The Dedication Prayer

By Mary Vee
I Kings 8 and II Chronicles 6

From Solomon's Scrolls

The music played again at the celebration to dedicate the temple built for the Name of the Lord. The people shouted with joy. Such a magnificent temple for the Lord. And now we needed to quiet our minds and dedicate the temple in prayer.

I held my hands high to quiet the people. They all raised their hands with me. The hush stirred my heart. I stood in front of the altar of the Lord on a large platform. It was the only way my voice would carry to all the people. I knelt before the crowds and spread out my hands before heaven and prayed:

"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heave or on earth. You who keep your covenant of love with your people who are dedicated wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You have fulfilled that promise today. This is your temple.

"Now, Lord, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David, when you said, 'You will always have a man from your family sit on the throne of Israel.' And in exchange we who sit on the throne are to be careful to walk according to your laws. And now, O Lord, God of Israel, let your promise come true."

"O Lord, this temple has been made for your Name, and yet you can not be contained inside this temple. The heavens, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built. I pray, give me mercy, O Lord my God. Hear my cry and prayer given in your presence. May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this sacred place of which you said you would put your Name. Hear my prayers for this place, this temple made for you. Hear the prayers of your people Israel when they pray in this place. Hear us from heaven, your dwelling place. And when you hear . . . forgive."

"When a man does evil against his neighbor, judge between him and his neighbor, repaying the guilty with punishment for what he has done. Declare the innocent not guilty. 


"When we have been defeated by an enemy because we have sinned against you, and when we turn back from our wicked ways and confess your name, praying in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people, Israel and bring us back to the land you gave us and our fathers."


Because the prayer is so long, as such an important prayer should be, I will continue the prayer in the next post.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Where did Solomon stand to give the prayer.
2. Who all was there to hear the prayer?
3. In the prayer, Solomon first tells God what?
4. Second, Solomon asks God to remember what?
5. Third, Solomon says he realizes what about the temple?
6. Fourh, Solomon asks that the innocent be declared _______
7.  Fifth, Solomon asks when the nation has been defeated because of sin, and they confess, then ____________

Hudson Taylor-Being a Missionary is Not Easy

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

I have been in China for two years, now. It seems much longer with all that I have learned and been given opportunity to do. 

Since arriving, I have been on eleven missionary journeys, changed my appearance by wearing only Chinese clothing and wearing my hair as the Chinese, a single braid down my back. I have also become quite proficient in Mandarin and have also learned pieces of other dialects.

What adventure God has for me next is totally a mystery.

The most difficult part about being a missionary is not what must be dealt with physically, but the rejection of the people.

Last time I mentioned that my new friend, William Burns and I both felt God's leading to go to Swatow to start a ministry with the people on the island across the way. On the island, foreigners have set up drug and slave businesses. Chinese men are told they can have great job and travel to foreign countries if they will leave their homes and come to the island. The men freely walk on the boats hoping for a great future. They are then thrown into the lower parts of the ship, crowded with thousands of others who have been tricked and disappear into slavery.

William and I refused to live on the island, but our hearts ached to minister to the people. After the captain took us to Swatow we searched for housing. No one would rent to us. They thought we were evil foreigners like the men on the island. Fortunately, William spoke the Cantonese language. 

He made friends with a merchant who was quite surprised to see a foreigner had learned his language. He said he would be willing to help us find an apartment. The merchant had a relative who was a high ranking official. The two men helped us rent a small apartment. 

The apartment was located above an incense shop. To get to our apartment we had to climb a ladder from the shop up to the second floor. We hung sheets to separate two tiny bedrooms and a small area for studying. With summer coming, the room became intensely warm. We couldn't touch the ceiling tiles, they were so blazing hot.

We set out to begin our ministry. No matter where we went the people did not trust us. We tried to give away New Testaments and preach, but the people thought we were like the evil foreigners on the island across from the city. 

The captain who told us about the need to have missionaries in this city came back for a visit. He saw our tiny apartment and was surprised. "Couldn't you find anything bigger. This apartment is so tiny!"

William and I both agreed, we would rather be where we were, living with the Chinese than on the island with the evil foreigners.

We continued to try to witness to the people. But the foreigners on the island had created such a problem, the Chinese simply would not give us a chance. The Chinese yelled at us, "foreign devil, foreign dog, foreign pig."

Burns and I went to the villages surrounding the city. This didn't help much either. There was no law, no order in any of the villages. Each town had walls around their land and they fought with each other. So, when we went to one village and made friends, telling people about God's love, the next village found out and refused to listen to us. They said we were friends with the first village and therefore must be enemies.

Sometimes I just feel tired. Tired when people don't want to hear about the God who loves them so very much. And then I wonder if I should stay in this city. God has led us here for a reason and I can't wait to find out what it is. Please pray for me to know what God would have me do.

J. Hudson Taylor



Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Solomon's Temple - The Dedication

By Mary Vee
I Kings 8, II Chronicles 6

From Solomon's Scrolls

I sent messengers to all corners of Israel, summoning the elders of Israel, all the heads of tribes, and the chiefs of the Israelite families. They were to attend the bringing up of the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion, the City of David and the placement in the new temple. They all arrived in time for the festival in the seventh month.

The Levites picked up the ark and all the sacred furnishings from the tent of meeting, the place where the priests held worship for the Lord before the temple was finished. The people and I went before the ark, offering sacrifices to the Lord the God of Israel.

The Levites carried the ark to its place in the Most Holy Place and set it beneath the wings of the cherubim. The priests then backed away from the area. 

The Levites who were musicians started the celebration. One hundred and twenty priests sounded trumpets. And the singers joined in unison, as one magnificent voice to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Oh, if you could only hear the sound! Then the cymbals and other instruments joined and the people sang:

"He is good

His love endures forever."

As the voices rang into the air a cloud filled the temple. The priests could not see what they were doing because the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God. How our hearts were stirred.

At the end of the song I stepped to the platform before the people and said:

"The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever."

And then I blessed the people:

 “Blessed be God, the God of Israel, who spoke personally to my father David. Now he has kept the promise he made when he said, ‘From the day I brought my people Israel from Egypt, I haven’t set apart one city among the tribes of Israel to build a Temple to fix my Name there. But I did choose David to rule my people Israel.’

 “My father David had it in his heart to build a Temple honoring the Name of God, the God of Israel. But God told him ‘It was good that you wanted to build a Temple in my honor—most commendable! But you are not the one to do it—your son will build it to honor my Name.’

“God has done what he said he would do: I have succeeded David my father and ruled over Israel just as God promised; and now I’ve built a Temple to honor God, the God of Israel, and I’ve secured a place for the Chest that holds the covenant of God, the covenant that he made with our ancestors when he brought them up from the land of Egypt.”

The celebration continues next time. Come back and sing with us.

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photos courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Who did Solomon invite to the celebration?

2. What was the celebration for?

3. What did the Levites do?

Solomon's Temple-Bronze, Cedar, and Gold

By Mary Vee
I Kings 6, II Chronicles 3

From Solomon's Scrolls

Are you ready to continue our journey?

Last time we looked at the curtain and felt the masterful workmanship. Let's walk this way and notice the the interior walls. Smell. Doesn't the cedar freshen your soul? Ever inch of the walls from the floor to the ceiling are cedar boards. The floor is covered with planks of sweet pine. A fresh scent. Go ahead, take in a deep breath.

Yes, now let me show you the doors. The entrance of the inner sanctuary have doors made from olive wood, and notice the craftmanship in the jambs. We'll never have problems with these doors. Now, rub your hand along the surface, feel the cherubim's, palm trees, and open flowers carved into the wood and overlaid with gold. Exquisite work.

The doors to the entrance of the main hall are quite similar. The gold, you see was hammered evenly over the carvings. A true work of art.

Let's walk outside and look at the whole structure, set on a firm foundation. This building, dedicated to the Name of the Lord, took us seven years to build.

Over here, by the portico, Huram, a gifted  craftsman in bronze, cast two bronze pillars. Stretch your head back to see the height of eighteen cubits. You won't be able to reach around the twelve cubits width. 

On top of the pillars are two capitals of bronze, five cubits high each and shaped like lilies. See at the top, the two rows of pomegranates encircling each capital to decorate the top. Magnificent, isn't it?

And now, come see the altar. Made of bronze, the altar is twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. Quite large, I know. This will enable the priests to keep up with the people's offerings. 

The priests will wash over here. We call it the Sea. It is made of cast metal, circular, and measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. Below the rim, see the figures of bulls encircling it. The bulls were casted in one piece. Very difficult to do. This portion is set on top of twelve bulls, representing the twelve tribes. Three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. I had the Sea placed here on the southeast corner to be used by the priests for washing.

All these works were handcrafted by Huram, the skilled craftsman sent to help us from Tyre:
two pillars
two bowl-shaped capitals on tip of the pillars
two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars
four hundred pomegranates for those capitals
ten stands with ten basins
the sea and the twelve bulls under it
the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls.


I didn't even weigh them. The bronze weight was so great it could not be determined.

And last, the golden vessels. Look here are the

golden altar
the golden table on which we set the bread 
the lamp stands of pure gold, (ten in all)
gold floral work, lamps, and tongs
pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and censers
gold sockets for the doors
ten tables
hundred gold sprinkling bowls

Truly a beautiful sight to present to the Name of the Lord.
The Lord has blessed us with the supplies to make this structure for Him. Praise His Holy Name.

Next week we will have the dedication of the Temple. I hope you plan to attend. There will be music, and singing, food, and a wonderful celebration.

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1.  How long did it take to build the temple?
2.  How would you have felt standing inside the building?