The Family Bible Journey Podcast

God meets the prophet Elijah at his darkest hour. The despairing and despondent prophet is encouraged by a face-to-face encounter with the Lord, where God appears to him in a low, still whisper. God promises to send waves of helpers to finish the work that Elijah has begun. Elijah leaves the mountain of the Lord with new zeal for ministry and prepared for the rest of his life's work.

Jesus warns His disciples not to fall to the temptations of depression, drunkeness and distraction. Soon, He will be taken from them, and His work will be handed over to them. If they are to serve Him well, they must keep their eye on the prize of sharing Him and His love with others.

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This great chapter of the Bible tells us a wonderful story of a single faithful prophet dueling with 450 false prophets. Elijah demonstrated that the God of Israel is the one true God, and He is above all others. We rejoice in this victory, even though we find ourselves often struggling against seemingly impossible odds, because it reminds us of God's mighty power to save.

In this one chapter we see the prophe, Elijah perform three different types of miracles that are mighty types of Christ from the Old Testament. He demonstrates God's power over nature, God's ability to perform a miraculous feeding, and even the ability to raise the dead to life in this chapter. We see you mighty previews of the work that Jesus is going to do as the Christ. As people who live in trying times, we are reminded that God's power is at work even when everything seems to be going off the rails.

A widow, and a warning about the Temple, teach us what's truly important. The reality is that we can't see as God sees. Yet He gives us faith to know that what often seems insignificant to us is counted as most significant to God.

The length of Asa, king of Judah's reign was longer than six evil kings of Israel. Each king of Israel saw an untimely death because he was wicked. Here we see that there are earthly rewards for righteousness, and that godly kings and leaders are a blessing to their subjects and constituents.

Jeroboam's life's work was to lead God's people away from the Lord. Even when he saw miracles performed by God's prophets, and felt the sting of Gd's wrath in his own flesh, he would not listen. For his sin, his days were made very difficult by the God who can not prosper evil.

The things that limit or separate us are overcome in God. This is made blatantly clear to the Sadducees, when Jesus taught them the reality of everlasting life. Equipped with God's eternal perspective, we have hope in the resurrection and reunion with those that we love, regardless of what separates us, because, in Christ Jesus, we are united with God and one another, now and forever.

Solomon, wise as he was, had a chronic weakness for beautiful women. His inattention led the country to fall apart under his watch. Rehoboam perpetuated the decline of the nation by expecting the people to serve him, instead of working to earn their respect. We can learn important lessons in life and leadership from both.

We hear of the great extent of Solomon's wealth, which was so great, the great Queen of Africa came to visit. She was left breathless at Solomon's riches. We learn from Solomon that true wealth is not measured in silver and gold, but rather faith, wisdom and relationships.

When we put anything other than truth and righteousness first, we can quickly fall into playing politics. Jesus' enemies resorted to political claims. When their cause was unjust, they tried to win in the court of public opinion, even though they couldn't outsmart Him. Here we learn important lessons about winning for the sake of winning, even when winning, we may be losing.

Solomon's house gets twelve verses of attention, but the building of the Lord's House receives four chapters of attention. This affirms the importance of the Temple for God's people, and how important it was as Solomon's legacy.

We marvel at the technology and workmanship used to build the Lord's Temple. Solomon dedicated nearly the first quarter of his reign to its construction. Beautiful though it was, it was but a foreshadowing of God's plan to dwell with His people, not it a building, but in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, He wept not for Himself, but for all those who would reject Him. By rejecting Him, they rejected the Lord's gift of life and forgiveness.

Solomon was blessed by the Lord with both wisdom and honor. As long as Solomon honored the Lord with these gifts, the Lord promised to prosper him and his descendants. Solomon's blessing gives us a chance to reflect on the relationship between faith and the rewards for righteous living.

The historical books of the kings begins with David firmly establishing Solomon on his throne. There is a peaceful passing of power. The kingdom is secure in Solomon's hands, and poised to do great things for the Lord and His people.

Jesus welcomed those who were rejected. He Himself was rejected because of His great love for them. May we learn from Jesus to embrace sinners in grace, because we ourselves have received great forgiveness and grace from Him.

David's story closes with one last mistake and yet another chapter of the Lord showing David mercy. David's census of the army merited God's wrath. But when the Angel of the Lord descends to strike Jerusalem, David meets Him and receives mercy. David purchases the place of this angelic encounter, and it will become the place where the Temple will be built.

David praises the Lord at the end of his life. Here we see much of Psalm 18 recorded as David's last words. Despite his public sins and many personal struggles, David was greatly blessed, and mighty in faith. He became a tremendous blessing to all God's people as a powerful type and ancestor of Jesus.

Often times, the things that many put their faith in actually get in the way of faith. Burdens, on the other hand, often turn our hearts and minds towards God. We explore this paradox as Jesus teaches and performs His final miracle on His way up to Jerusalem.

The foundation for a healthy monarchy is being laid as David ages. We hear of another insurrection put down, and the Philistines being placed firmly under the thumb of Israel. Despite David's violent and passionate past, he is growing in faith and wisdom as he prepares the kingdom for transition.

David's men overwhelm Absalom's army. King David and the kingdom are saved. But David, instead of rejoicing, mourns the death of Absalom, turning the nation's triumph into sadness. General Joab rebukes the king for his foolishness. David is restored to Jerusalem, and forgives many of his enemies along the way back to Jerusalem.

Jesus teaches us to seek the Father's mercy by leaning on His goodness and kindness, instead of our persistence or personal holiness. After teaching this principle in two parables, He lifts children up as great examples of a humble faith. How nice it is to find the goodness and grace of God in Christ Jesus!

David retreats from Jerusalem, fleeing the pursuit of his own son! David's enemies gloat and plan their own conquests, at the king's expense. Absalom debases some of his father's wives and raises an army to destroy his father.

After three years of exile, followed by another two years of estrangement from the king, Absalom conspires for the throne. He uses his charm and charisma to woo Isreal to his cause. Then, using a religious rouse, he launches his coup.

Too many people have a backwards understanding of the relationship between faith, prayer and healing. Jesus teaches the true spirit of faith. He shows through ten lepers how faith receives His blessing, simply because of His great love for us, not because of how great we are or how wonderful we think our prayers are.

Terrible lessons are learned of lust and murder in this chapter. David's son Amnon, consumed with lust, sexually assaults his half-sister Tamar. In response, Absalom, Tamar's full-blooded brother, murders Amnon. David's adultery has created fault-lines in his family line, as his family is now at war within itself.

Nathan tells David of a rich man who stole his poor neighbor's only lamb, to host a party for a traveler. Enraged by such cruelty, David ordered the man to pay four-fold for his sin. David was the man. The story was a parable telling of David's sin with Bathsheba. Cut to the heart, David repents. Forgiven, he will suffer for this sin, as will the entire nation in time.

The parable of the shrewd manager brings into question how we use our money. Do you view money as a means to godly ends or as an end in itself? We consider the challenge of being good stewards and how the use of our money reveals the intents and desires of our heart.

When he should have been at war, David instead stays in Jerusalem. He who was mighty in battle proves weak in temptation. Succumbing to the beauty of Bathsheba, he has an affair with her. Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, is the hero of this story. Loyal to the end, he is slain by the king he served, who slept with his wife, in an attempted cover-up.

David, well established and blessed by the Lord, seeks a member of Saul's family to bless. He summons Ziba, one of Saul's stewards, who tells David of Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan, who has survived. David demonstrates great mercy to Mephibosheth, giving him all the land of Saul, and making him a part of his royal court.

The "lost" parables show us the depth of God's love. The Shepherd risks his life for a lost sheep. A woman celebrates the recovery of a lost coin. A generous father receives his lost son. In each of these, we see a measure of God's love for us!

David tells Nathan the prophet that he wants to build a house for the ark of the covenant. God would not allow David to build this house. Instead, the Lord promises to build a forever house for David, by allowing one of his sons to reign forever! Receiving such an unimaginable promise from the Lord, David praises and thanks God for His untold goodness and love.

David moves his headquarters to Jerusalem. This strategic stronghold, where Judah meets Israel, becomes the military, governing and economic center of God's holy nation. In chapter six, David moves the Ark of the Convenant here, making this the spiritual capital of Israel. Largely because of David's moving the Ark to Jerusalem, it is revered as a holy city by Christians, Jews and Muslims still today.

The true test of discipleship is the quality of our service to others. So long as we are serving ourselves, as individuals or congregations, we are less than we are called to be. Instead, we who have been perfectly served by Jesus in every way, are called, like Jesus, to empty ourselves in service to others.

Abner, offended by Ishbosheth, swears an oath to bring Israel under David's rule. This leader of a military coup makes covenant with David, who welcomes him gladly. Sadly, or gladly, both Abner and Ishbosheth meet a bloody end, as scoundrels end their lives. Here we see God use human treachery to solidify David's reign.

David is annointed King of Judah, but not of Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth is made king of Israel by Abner, Saul's general. A short civil war breaks-out, but the house of Saul is too powerful for the house of David. Nonetheless, God is working out his plan, slow as it may be, to give the kingdom to David.

Jesus teaches his disciples to wait patiently on him, even when life stinks! We hear of God's patience and power in three parables. These parables are taught around the story of a woman who had a disabling spirit for 18 years. May we, like her, find hope and confidence in Christ, even when life stinks.

Saul's last act of desperate defiance is suicide. His boys killed in battle, himself mortally wounded, he ends his own life. A tragic end to a story that began with so much hope and promise, all because he refused to listen to the Lord.

With the Lord no longer answering his prayers, Saul consults with a medium to conjure old Samuel up from the grave. From beyond the grave, Samuel predicts the fall of Saul and his family. This story of the medium of En Dor allows us to reflect on the reality of dark spiritual forces in the world.

This all-time favorite parable turns the world upside-down as the master serves his servants. Too often, people in positions of power or authority serve themselves, neglecting the common good. As God's children, God's character is seen in us when we serve others, as He has served us.

A wise woman Abigail interceeds with David on behalf of her arrogant husband and convinces David that showing mercy is a better way to get your way than acting in wrath. In the very next chapter, David has opportunity to kill Saul, but chooses mercy instead. Despite David's propensity towards violence, he exercises much mercy in these chapters.

David, even while hiding from Saul, rises to rescue the town of Keilah. Betrayed by those he rescued, he retreats to En Gedi, where he gets a chance to take the life or his arch-enemy Saul. Instead, he shows Saul mercy, buying a slight reprieve by a ninja-like act of bravery.

Jesus takes time, on His journey to Jerusalem, to teach His disciples the blessing of setting their hearts on the things of God. It is too easy for us to get distracted, and miss out on the Lord's blessing. Putting first things first keeps us on track and living into the Lord's will for our lives.

Saul is so consumed by his anger that he orders the execution of many priests. He accuses them of treason for aiding David. These innocent prophets die for their righteousness, and so become a great encouragement for us to stand up against evil, regardless of the consequences.

David and Jonathan grow close, even while Jonathan's father King Saul tries, on a number of occasions, to kill David. Here we learn a lesson of true friendship. David and Jonathan will love each other with undying love, even though the anger of Saul and the events of life separate them for the foreseeable future.

The Lord's Prayer is God's will for us in the form of promise. We are thankful for God's unconditional love. But sometimes we forget that our challenges and issues are no problem for God. Jesus reminds us of God's love, even when we can't see it.

David becomes a folk hero when he slays Goliath, the champion of the Philistines. Saul, who blessed David before the battle, begins to despise the young shepherd boy. But as Saul loathes David, Jonathan loves him and the two quickly become best of friends.

When Saul spares Israel's enemies, the Lord rebukes him and rejects him as king. A fearful Samuel is sent to anoint a new king, one who will have a heart for the Lord. David is anointed, then called into Saul's service, where he will be well prepared to become king himself.