Explore the Bible: Repentance

The Explore the Bible Lesson for June 12 focuses on 1 Kings 8:46-66.

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  • The Explore the Bible Lesson for June 12 focuses on 1 Kings 8:46-66.

When my wife and I found out that we were going to have a baby, we were filled with great joy at the expectant arrival of our long-awaited boy. One of my conversations with my wife before my son’s birth was about what we wanted him to call me. Knowing there was some Jewish heritage on my side of the family, we felt it appropriate for our son to call me “Abba,” which can mean Father, and it can even connote the more intimate term, Daddy.

As my son grew up, he began to call me Abba, and I enjoyed hearing him call me by that name. One night, my son had a nightmare, and he cried out with all his might: “Abba! Abba!” I heard his cry, and I sprang out of bed and rushed to his bedroom. I wanted my son to know that when he called his Abba, I would hear him and respond to his cry.

In this week’s text, Solomon is finishing the temple building project, which took seven years, and it is time to dedicate it. Solomon prays a prayer of dedication for the temple he had built for Yahweh, and in his prayer, he is praying to Yahweh that when Israel sins, and they repent, he would hear their cries and forgive them of their sin.

Sin Nature (1 Kings 8:46-48)

One interesting thing to note is King Solomon is praying for a sin he knows will occur. He says when Israel sins, not if they sin. To fully understand repentance, we need to understand our sinful nature. Because of the Fall, we are all born in sin, and we are bent toward sinful actions. Our sin then separates us from fellowship with God. Like exiles in a faraway land, our sin places distance between God and us. It is not until we understand that we are sinners and we have fallen short of the glory of God that we are then able to turn to him for forgiveness through Jesus, our savior. Our search for repentance found in the person of Christ offers it freely to us to restore the relationship. Our need for forgiveness and salvation elicits a cry to our Abba in heaven.

God Hears (1 Kings 8:49-53)

King Solomon’s dedicatory prayer states when Israel cries out in repentance, God would be ready to hear the cries and respond in forgiveness and restorative action. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, when we cry out to Abba God with repenting hearts, he will forgive us and close the distance our sin created between him and us by forgiving that sin. It is comforting to know God is ready to hear our cries of repentance and act upon them when we sin. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins. As the people of God, sin does not need to set us as exiles living distant from a forgiving father in heaven, knowing Jesus paid the price for that forgiveness. Allow God to close the distance by seeking his forgiveness today.

Blessed Not Stressed (1 Kings 8:54-60)

After King Solomon’s prayer of dedication, he transitions into a moment of blessing. His blessing over Israel is based on God’s faithfulness. Not one of God’s promises had failed. As Israel understands God’s faithfulness to them and the reliability of his promises, now Israel can experience rest in him. As we trust God for who he is and what his word promises us, we can also share in the blessing of rest and peace, knowing God is in control. What a great reminder that should keep us less stressed about life’s obstacles and encounter the blessing of God’s faithful presence in our lives.

Finally, King Solomon calls Israel to walk in obedience to God’s commands, decrees and laws to experience a close relationship with God, much like their ancestors experienced. This obedient lifestyle sets Israel apart from the other nations of the world. Walking in an obedient relationship with the one true living God sets a witness to the world in motion. Let’s continue to model what true discipleship looks like as we seek to walk in relationship with our Abba Father through the person of Christ. Now is the time more than ever to live out our faith so that others can see that God makes the difference in a person’s life because, as King Solomon said, there is no other way.

Dr. Joe Rangel is the associate dean of the School of Christian Studies and teaches Christian ministry at Wayland Baptist University.  


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