Lesson 11

TESTING GOD IN PRAYER

Gen. 28:18–22, Judges 6:36–40

Who is able to say how often we test our God in our prayers? We do so again and again. We often pray when there is real need, promising that, if the Lord will help us out of this need, we will do this and that. When a person is very sick he can easily pray that he will devote the rest of his life to the service of God if God will only spare his life. This is a dangerous practice. If God will do so . . . then we will do thus! What if God doesn’t do that which was desired of Him? Even then we are still called to be faithful.

God’s Progressive Self-Revelation

When we look at the way in which some of the saints of the Old Testament times prayed to their God we must also avoid the danger of attributing to them the same light which the New Testament believers share. This is not fair and it is also a misuse of the Scriptures. We have to be careful in denouncing an Old Testament saint with a word from the New Testament. Yet, we must not look at the various experiences of the Old Testament saints as “normal happenings” either when their God had made Himself clearly known to them. We must compare Scripture with Scripture, but this must also be done in the right way. The Scriptures teach us too by the historical happenings in Old Testament times.

Jacob’s Ladder Dream

Genesis 28 follows upon the deceit which Jacob practiced on his brother Esau and on his father Isaac. Because of his misdeeds, which had such enormous effects on the future, he had to flee for his life. He can plausibly do so under the guise of seeking a wife from the people of his mother rather than from the neighboring people of his immediate family. The man is to be pitied as he leaves his home and sets out on the long journey to Paddan–aram. Seemingly he does not even trust going into the c ity of Luz for the night, but sleeps in the open field and has a stone for a pillow. The amenities of home are gone.

During the night he spends in the field, a remarkable thing happens. He dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending on it. This dream is still so vivid in his memory the next morning that he desires to memorialize this experience in some way. The stone which has served as his pillow during the past night is now set up as a pillar. This is not for the purpose of making it a fetish which is to be worshipped! Some have read all manner of things into this account. He pours oil upon this stone, thereby consecrating this place, and calls it “Bethel,” meaning “the house of God.” This name seems to be intended only for the place where Jacob had slept, but later it was also the name of the neighboring city whose former name was “Luz.” When Jacob realizes the significance of the things which have happened here the previous night, he says, “How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” This language shows that he has no evil intent in the erection of this stone nor with the pouring of the oil upon it. He is deeply under the influence of the presence of his God.

His Promise

Now he makes a promise to his God. What is wrong with that? Should we not always make our vows unto our God? But notice the content of his promise. God had spoken to him before (vs. 13–14) and had made it very clear that He was the God of his fathers and would also be his God. He would give him the whole land where he now slept as an alien! Is there now doubt in Jacob’s mind? “If God will be with me!” God is to be taken at His word! There should not be a shred of doubt that this God will be with him and will prosper him above all that he has ever dreamed! God had told him that He would do great things for him. His seed would be so numerous that it would fill that whole country. He and his descendants would be a blessing to all the people of the earth. God would surely bring him back safely.

What does Jacob do now? He says that if God will give him the small things such as food, clothing, safety and a return, then “the Lord will be my God!” He was his God since he was born! May he now question whether God will actually do those things which He had promised Jacob just that night? Then this stone shall be the house of God. Then he will give God a tenth of all that He had given to Jacob! Jacob knew of the necessity of the tithe. This was already mentioned in the days of his grandfather, Abraham (Gen. 14:20). Regardless of what God does, Jacob owes Him the tenth of all that he has!

When we properly compare Scripture with Scripture, we see that Jacob is “walking on thin ice.” He may not test God! He is to take God at His word. When Jacob returns from Paddan–aram as a fabulously rich man, he is frightened by hearing that Esau comes to meet him with 400 armed men. Will he lose everything he has and even his life and the lives of his family? No, the Lord again led him out of all his troubles.

A Neglected Vow

Ten years after his return to his homeland God must remind him to go back to Bethel and keep the vow he had made there 30 years ago (Gen. 35:1–7)! How ashamed Jacob must feel now. Thirty years ago he wondered whether he could really depend on the word which God had spoken to him however, that was not the problem-the problem was, could the Lord depend on Jacob’s vow? God is not to be doubted, for He has proved Himself over and over in the life of every believer. But, where does the believer stand in relation to his God? “If God will do this”—He will! “Then I will do that”—will you? Many who have vowed that they would give their lives in service to their God if He would only heal them of the present disease, have fallen into the old manner of life as soon as He had healed them—as soon as He had kept His word. Hannah also made a vow to her God. If He would give her her heart’s desire that she might have a son, she would dedicate him to the divine service. She kept her vow! Jacob must be shamed into keeping his vow and must then first purge his family of all the heathen baggage which his wives and children had accumulated. Thus humbled he goes to Bethel!

Jacob was in many respects a great man. The author of the book of Hebrews counts him among the heroes of faith when he gave his blessing to his children and grandchildren. He was sure that God would keep His word which He had spoken to him that his seed would inherit this entire land. Even though the man had to die in a foreign land, Egypt, he was still certain that God would keep His word. Then he stood on the heights. At Bethel he did not reveal that same confidence. This was human, but not to be imitated by God’s people.

Gideon’s Calling

Like Jacob, Gideon is also mentioned in the catalog on the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. He too was a man who would do great things for the people of God. He would win a great victory with very few people. What faith it took to proceed against the overwhelming host of the Midianites with only 300 men! But, this man too had times of wavering in his spiritual life. One of those times is recorded in the passage at the head of this lesson. He does very much the same thing which Jacob had done some years earlier. This should not surprise us. Even the heroes of faith plainly show that they and we are saved by grace alone and that it is not our works which save us.

Because of the faithlessness of Israel, the people were again in sorry straits in the days of Gideon. The Midianites did not allow them to eat the fruit of their own land but took it for themselves. Stealthily the people, including Gideon, would thresh and hide some of the grain so that they might have food. But, when the people of Israel cry unto the Lord, He always hears them. He sent an angel to talk to Gideon.

This man has such humility that he cannot understand that the Lord will save Israel by his hand. When Gideon returns to the place where he has met the angel he comes with food—an entire meal, which was scarce—as a present to the angel. Then the angel already shows him a sign. The entire meal is consumed when the angel touches it with his staff. Now Gideon must break down the altars to Baal and Ashera. The trouble with Israel did not all come from the outside—they themselves were guilty of idolatry. Gideon does as he is commanded and his father shows great wisdom and courage when the men of the city seek Gideon’s life.

Craving Extra Assurance

It has now been made clear to Gideon that God will save Israel by his hand. But, he still feels a need of more proof! “This generation,” too, “asks for signs.” God has spoken clearly and has already done mighty works, but more are asked. He will put a fleece, the wool of one animal while it is all intact, on the threshing floor. If everything is dry in the morning but the fleece is wet with dew, he will know that God is sending him. Strange as it may sound, the Lord agrees to this kind of test. In the morning everything else is dry and the fleece is soaked so that he has a whole container full of water. Does this satisfy him? No, when one once begins to journey on this pathway he will not be persuaded easily. The Lord has answered him exactly the way he has wished, but he wants one more proof. This one will be the reverse of the previous test and it will also be more “difficult”,(?). Let the fleece be dry and everything else soaked with dew in the morning. This is more “difficult” because a fleece of wool would naturally attract moisture. Again the Lord does not turn from him nor rebuke him, but he finds everything the way he has asked for it the next morning. Only the fleece is dry. Everything else is wet.

The kind of requests which Gideon makes of God do not spring from a clear and active faith. At best, they spring from fear. Our faith is tested as to whether we will take God at His word at all times. His word often goes contrary to that which seems right in our eyes. Faith, however, does not ask for further signs. It believes and obeys!

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees of His day when they asked for signs. Was His word not clear enough? These would get only the sign of the prophet Jonah! If they cannot believe His word, they will have to believe those events which go beyond all human understanding. They will have to believe in His death and resurrection! They will have to believe that which is a stumbling block to the Jew and foolishness to the Greek for their salvation!

Questions for Discussion

1. Was it proper for Jacob to raise a stone as a memorial and to pour oil on it for consecration? Give reasons for your answer. 2. May we ever “demand” that God do certain things before we will do what is asked of us? Did Jacob do that?

3. Why is it that God must almost “drag” Jacob back to Bethel? Cf. Gen. 35:1–7.

4. Is there more reason for Gideon to seek a sign than for Jacob? Why or why not? Had things been made as clear to Gideon as they were to Jacob? 5. Why, do you think, the Lord agrees to go along with the signs which these two saints of God ask of Him? Does this contradict Jesus” answer to the Pharisees concerning this matter? Why or why not?    

Lesson 12

Solomon’s Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple

I Kings 8:22–53, II Chron. 6:12–42

When David died the people of Israel could look for a big change in the government of the land. The “man after God’s own heart” had left the scene. Israel had prospered and had been victorious under the reign of David. What kind of a son will now succeed him to rule over this great people?

A Momentous Occasion

Solomon felt his own inadequacy. When the Lord gave him a choice of various gifts he might have, he chose wisdom. This wisdom is soon revealed when a mother comes to him with another woman, each claiming the same child as her own. It is again clearly shown when the queen ofSheba comes and asks him all manner of difficult questions and he has ready answers. But, perhaps his wisdom is nowhere shown more clearly than in the building and dedication of the temple of God. It is an immense undertaking for that day to build such a building as the temple. All of the most skilled craftsmen in Israel are required for the construction. The overseer of all is Solomon! When the building is now finished there is a great celebration of dedication and Solomon utters a prayer which has become a classic. The two records of this prayer are too long to do them justice but the beauty of the prayer and the evidence of the deep spirituality of the one who is praying will become clear.

For this occasion Solomon has had a platform built which was five cubits (7.5″?) wide and five cubits long and three cubits high. This was made of either brass or copper and Solomon took his position on this platform. In this way he would be visible to all the people and they would all be able to hear him. He now assumes a posture in prayer of which we have not read earlier in the Biblical account. He kneels as he prays and spreads out his hands to the heavens. What a sight! The ruler of the people is going to lead the whole nation in prayer! The ruler is on his knees before One who is the great Ruler of the universe (ll Chron. 6:13)! The temple will be a delight to the children of Israel for many years and the impressive ceremony at its dedication will linger with them as long as they live.

The Address

There will be seven distinct petitions in this prayer of Solomon. However, before one petition is uttered he extols the greatness of the God to Whom he is praying. There is no God to be found anywhere who may be compared to the God of Israel. There is no other God. The heathen may think that their deities will be able to help them in certain situations, but their hopes are futile. The greatness of Israel’s God is seen in the facts that He has made all things and that He keeps covenant! No other God ever makes a covenant with the people whom he rules. Israel’s God does make covenant. He keeps His promises and shows lovingkindness. This is a God who enters into communion with His people. Solomon mentions the fact that God has been faithful to the promise which He made to his father David. And, at this point in the history of Israel, he prays that all the promises made to David may go into effect. The Lord had promised David that his would be a dynasty, i .e., his children should sit on the throne of Israel through generations if they would fear Him and keep His commandments . Solomon here prays for the faithfulness of all of his own posterity. Only if they are faithful will they rule.

But, who is Solomon and what is it which he has built that he should think that Jehovah, the God of Israel, will dwell with men? Will God dwell on the earth? The heavens, Hebrew—heaven of heavens, because this language has no comparative or superlative degree—cannot contain Him! He is too great to be limited to any created place. How then shall this house which Solomon has built house Him? Suddenly this great and beautiful temple becomes very small and insignificant in comparison with the One for Whom it is built. However, He has promised that His name would dwell there. Oh, let God now hear the prayer of His servant! Also when the whole people of Israel come to this place to offer their prayers, Lord hear them. Now is introduced the refrain which we will hear throughout this prayer: hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place; and when Thou hearest, forgive. In this refrain he speaks of the riches of the experience of faith. With Him hearing is forgiving and forgiving is hearing.

Now we come to the seven petitions which Solomon speaks. He is here following an example clearly taught us by our Lord Jesus Christ in the perfect prayer. There is room for petitions, but first we are to realize to Whom we come and we must also realize our own limitations.

Removal of Sin

The first petition which Solomon utters is rather difficult to understand. He speaks of a situation in which a man has sinned but the sin cannot be proved. He does not say what manner of sin it is because that is immaterial to what he has in mind. Even though men cannot prove the sin which has been committed by this “someone,” God does know. Such an individual must then come to the altar of God. He must there confess his sin so that the sin does not rest on the whole people! God will then judge the one who has committed the sin and the taint of sin which exists as long as the real sinner is not known will be removed from the whole people. So shall sin be done away and the righteous will not suffer for the unrighteous.

A Defeated People

In the second petition the king pleads with his God concerning his people when they are defeated by enemies. The many difficulties which arise out of this state of affairs are, of course, well known. Whenever a people is defeated, great suffering comes upon them. There is suffering in every part of life. They were defeated because they had sinned against God! Otherwise they could not be defeated in this “theocracy”! But, when a segment of the people then turn to the temple and seek the name of God and ask forgiveness, may He bring each one back to the land he has received in his family inheritance. If God’s people only repent!

Drought

In the land of Palestine the people were totally dependent on the “former” and the “latter” rains in order that there might be crops. Israel did not have a Nile river which made the whole land fruitful. If the rains do not come—because the people have sinned—the livelihood of the majority of the people will be affected at once. Solomon does not attribute the lack of rain to mere natural phenomena, but to the sins of the people.