Now, when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 1 Kin 10:1.
But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? 2 Chr 2:6.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 1 Tim 4:7.
(Alternate verse: So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished; and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and all the furnishings. And he put them in the treasuries of the house of God. 2 Chr 5:1.
(Alternate verse: Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. 2 Chr 5:13-14.)
“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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chr 7:14.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecc 3:1.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Ecc 4:9-10.
(Alternate verse: Whatever one is, he has been named already, for it is known that he is man; and he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he. Ecc 6:10.)
Anyone who is among the living, has hope. Ecc 9:4.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. Ecc 12:13.
There were two chiastic structures this week, which used both the posted and the alternate verses I had recorded in my notes:
1a) 1 Kin 10:1, When the queen heard of the fame of Solomon re: the name of the LORD, she sought him out;
1) 1 Kin 10:1a, When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD;
2) 1 Kin 10:1b, She came to test him with hard questions;
1b) 2 Chr 2:6, Who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven + heaven of heavens cannot contain Him?
1c) 1 Tim 4:7a, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race;
central axis) 1 Tim 4:7b, I have kept the faith;
2c) 1 Tim 2 Chr 5:1a, All the work that Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished;
2b) 2 Chr 5:13-14, When all made one sound in praising the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,” that the house of the Lord was filled with the glory of the Lord;
2a) 2 Chr 7:14a-b, If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and seek Me out;
1) 2 Chr 7:14a, “If My people, who are called by My name;”
2) 2 Chr 7:14b, “Will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face,”
And the second:
1a) 2 Chr 7:14c, “And turn from their wicked ways;”
1b) 2 Chr 7:14d, “Then I will hear from heaven + forgive their sin + heal their land;”
1c) Ecc 3:1, For everything there is a season + a time for every purpose under heaven;
1d) Ecc 4:9, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor;
central axis) Ecc 4:10, For if they fall, one will lift up his companion;
2d) Ecc 4:10b, But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up;
2c) Ecc 6:10, For it is known that he is man/ he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he;
2b) Ecc 9:4, Anyone who is among the living, has hope;
2a) Ecc 12:13, The conclusion: Fear God + keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.
My people, humble yourselves, and seek Me out, and I will seek you out. I have heard your cries because of the evil in the world and the evil in the land, and I am calling you to turn from your own wickedness; yes, to fear Me and to keep My commandments. There is yet hope remaining when you do so, for I will forgive your sins and I will heal your land. There is a purpose for the season you find yourselves in: for a mere man cannot contend with Me who is mightier than he. Let the two come together to finish the work and to help each other complete the task; and you will find a good reward. For when you are united in praise, saying, For He is good, for His mercy endures forever, My glory (which heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain) will drop down and fill the temple of My body, the body of Messiah (the two made one). Then your labor will be finished: keep the faith until then.
Leave a Reply