Living by the Book/Living by the Book Workbook Set (99 page)

Now read Acts 5:1–11. The introduction of Ananias and Sapphira brings an abrupt shift in the tone of the passage. Why were they so unlike the people previously described?

Suppose you were a first-century visitor to the church on the day the events of Acts 5 took place. How do you think you would have responded? Why?

The use of irony is another thing to watch for in determining the importance of things alike or unlike. Do you detect any irony in this passage, especially in regard to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira?

As we examine this clear biblical example of something unlike something else, what do you think is the message for us?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

1 Kings 11

TIME COMMITMENT:

30 minutes

“Often we study or teach Scripture as if it were some academic lesson, rather than real life. No wonder so many of us are bored with our Bibles. We’re missing out on the best lessons of God’s Word by failing to pick up on the experiences of the people in it. . . . What I love about the Bible is that it always returns me to reality. It never paints its characters with whitewash. If necessary, it hangs the dirty laundry right out the front window to tell me what really happened” (p. 170).

A
re you the kind of person who frequently ponders, “If only . . .”?

“If only I had more money, I could spend more time for God.” “If only I were a bit smarter, I could have a better job.” “If only I could move up in the world, I could make more of a difference on those around me.”

Sometimes we focus our attention on the success stories of the Bible and feel very inferior spiritually as well as emotionally. But it’s always a mistake to compare our own failures with someone else’s successes. Let’s instead check our failures against theirs. And perhaps there’s no better example to examine than King Solomon.

Before you read today’s passage, skim through 1 Kings 3:20–4:34 and 10:14–29 (as well as any other stories about Solomon’s reign you might want to review). At this time, Solomon was perhaps the richest man on earth. He was certainly the wisest. His kingdom was at peace. Spiritually, he was the one who had built and dedicated the Lord’s temple. He never had to wonder what life would be like “if only.” He could see for himself.

We can read about most of the events of his reign and wonder what’s there for us, something that we might find to be “true to life.” Then we come to 1 Kings 11—literally the final “chapter” in Solomon’s life.

Read 1 Kings 11:1–13. Consider:

• How could someone as wise as Solomon make the mistake he did?