READING FOR OCTOBER 28, 2025: 1 KINGS 21, HEBREWS 9, PSALM 113 1 KINGS 21 Does anyone remember when the town of Yorktown was interested in seizing the house of one of our church members through eminent domain? Television crews from Indianapolis showed up to cover the lively town meeting. This chapter is similar, but the good guys and bad guys are easier to tell apart. King Ahab wanted to acquire some neighboring property for a vegetable garden. Naboth, the owner, did not want to sell, saying the land represented his family inheritance. Levitical law addresses this: “The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine” (Lev. 25:23).
Upon learning of the situation, Queen Jezebel said she would handle it. She arranged a scheme to have two men falsely accuse Naboth of cursing God and the King. Based upon this testi- mony he was taken out of the city and stoned to death. While Ahab was claiming Naboth’s property, his old nemesis Elijah showed up, being directed there by God. Elijah delivered this message to Ahab: “I am bringing disaster upon you, and I will utterly sweep you away, and will eliminate from Ahab every male... because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and because you have misled Israel into sin.” (vs. 21-22). Both testaments of the Bible pronounce harsh judgment on those leading others into sin (see Luke 17:2). Be careful--pastors, teachers, and reading guide writers. Then Elijah said both Ahab and Jezebel would die and have their bodies eaten by animals (vs.23-24).
The last few verses in this chapter are a bit surprising because of Ahab’s demonstration of repentance. This impacted God’s judgment as he explained to Elijah: “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; I will bring the disaster upon his house in his son’s days” (vs. 29). As has been mentioned before, it seems that whenever God proclaims a future judgment is coming, that statement carries with it the implicit opportunity to repent and avoid the stated punishment. This was the case when Jonah predicted punishment coming against Nineveh, which didn’t occur because they repent- ed. Despite what we deserve, our God is merciful and will always welcome our repentance.
Hebrews 9 It is important to remember that the author is writing to a predominately Jewish audience. His use of Jewish religious practices is because his audience would be familiar with them. He is trying to introduce the Christian faith by showing how it is both similar to and different from the Jewish religion.
In this chapter, the author compares the rituals of worship in the sanctuary in the Jewish temple with the way in which Jesus perfected them and made them no longer necessary. Since Jesus’ sacrifices and priestly actions moved to the heavenly sanctuary, the sacrifices done in the Jewish temple are no longer necessary. Just as the new covenant replaced the old
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 28, 2025 (CONTINUED): NUMBERS 33, HEBREWS 9, PSALM 113
covenant (the one given to Moses on Mt. Sinai) the sacrifice of Christ replaced the sacrifices in the temple.
The temple was a place of animal sacrifice. You can look at the charts in the discussion of Numbers Chapters 28 & 29 to see the sheer number of sacrifices made by the priests. This does not count the other offerings made by individuals for any number of sins. The blood of goats, rams, and sheep were continually poured out in the Holy Place of the Temple as a way of seeking forgiveness for sins. In addition, these offerings were given to show that an adherent to the faith acknowledged that God was in control.
Through the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice was made once and for all. The sacrifice was not made in the earthly “copy” Temple (see yesterday). It was made in the heavenly temple. Through this sacrifice, those who believe in the risen Christ may be cleansed “so that we may serve the living God!” (V.14).
The author then uses the analogy of a “last will and testament.” The word translated as “will” in verse 16 is the same Hebrew word that is translated as “covenant” (diatheke). It is used here to denote a document that distributes a person’s possessions after death (a will).
A person does not receive their heritance from a will until the death of the person who made the will. It is only through the death of Jesus, that those who have faith in him are beneficiaries on the new covenant (remember – same word in Hebrew for “will” and “covenant”). In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples at the Last Supper: “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20, NIV). Jesus gave his life so that we could have everlasting life in his name. His blood was shed to pay for your sins and mine.
Psalm 113 Psalm 113 is a hymn of praise to God. It celebrates God’s majesty and his great mercy. It has three stanzas of three verses each.
- Verses 1-3 – A four-fold call to praise God. 1) A call to praise God (Hallelujah!); 2) God’s servants are to praise; 3) God is to forever be praised; 4) The entire world is to praise God.
- Verses 4-6 – God is enthroned in Heaven. God is to be exalted above all things. In verse 5, the psalm- ist asks a rhetorical question. Of course, the answer is NO ONE is like God. God is above all things.
- Verses 7-9 – God lifts-up those who are in need. God may be above all things; God may be worthy of all praise; yet he is with those who are most in need of God’s love, grace and mercy. God is with the poor and the needy. God is with those who are in distress and grief (in the ash heap). God is with those do not have children.
A symbol of using ashes as a tradition for mourning can be found in Job 30:19 and other places. It signifies deep distress. In the ancient world, barrenness was the greatest disgrace for a woman. (see Genesis 30:1, 1 Samuel 1:6-10).
