Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Kings 8:41-43 (New Living Translation)

41 “In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, 42 for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, 43 then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.

King Solomon is praying. In his prayer, he sees the future when all the people of the Earth will pray to Jehovah the God of Israel, the Creator of all.

There is much I can infer from this. It is easy to infer too much. Still, this is radical theology for that day in which Solomon prayed. God would “open the tent” and let everyone else in. All the people of the Earth—not just the descendants of Jacob (Israel)—could pray to the God of Israel and God would hear their prayers.

Now I infer some things. This predicts today. I am not a physical descendant of Israel, yet I pray to God and God hears my prayers. I am blessed by God and covered by the sacrificial blood of the Son, Jesus Christ.

Praise God. I am covered by the prediction in King Solomon’s prayers. Please God, help me to live a life that is somewhat worthy of Your blessings.