January 12
Lesson 7 (KJV)
Solomon Speaks to the People
Devotional Reading: Psalm 132:1–5, 11–18
Background Scripture: 1 Kings 8:14–21; 2 Chronicles 6
1 Kings 8:14–21
14. And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
15. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
16. Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
17. And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
18. And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
19. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.
20. And the Lord hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
21. And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
He said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it.—1 Kings 8:15
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Recall promises within the Lord’s covenant to David.
2. Explain the purpose of remembering God’s mighty works.
3. Create a plan to exhibit more faithfulness in one area of life in light of God’s prior faithfulness to him or her.
HOW TO SAY IT
| Ammonites | Am-un-ites. |
| Edomites | Ee-dum-ites. |
| Hiram | High-rum. |
| Moabites | Mo-ub-ites. |
| Philistines | Fuh-liss-teenz or Fill-us-teenz. |
| Syrians | Sear-ee-unz. |
| Tyre | Tire. |
Introduction
A. Because He Said He Would
When asked to give the eulogy at his father’s funeral, a young man named Alex Sheen decided to honor his dad by commemorating him as one who always kept his word. Sheen distributed “promise cards” with the words “because I said I would” written in the corner. He asked people to write promises on the cards and then to hand the cards to those to whom they made the promises. The persons making the promises would get the card back once they had fulfilled their word. Sheen then offered to send free cards to anyone who asked, no matter where they lived.
Word got out. Within 18 months, Sheen had kept his promise and sent out more than 250,000 cards. This response led to his establishment of the nonprofit organization “because I said I would.” Since 2013, the organization has provided over eight million promise cards.
This week’s text focuses on words Solomon spoke at the dedication of the temple. Those words highlighted promises made and kept. Because God said He would, He did.
B. Lesson Context
The faithful God of Israel had established David’s son Solomon on the throne of Israel (1 Kings 2:12). God then enabled Solomon to complete the project his father had given him to build a house of worship for the Lord (1 Chronicles 22:6–13). First Kings 8:1–13 (last week’s lesson) recounted the opening scenes of the dedication ceremony for the grand temple Solomon had built in Jerusalem for the God of Israel (see lesson 6). Today’s account continues to examine that ceremony. A parallel account can be found in 2 Chronicles 6:3–11.
I. Blessings
(1 Kings 8:14, 15)
A. For the People (v. 14)
14. And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;).
Details in this account again recall events from the Israelites’ time in the exodus (see lesson 6 regarding previous parallels). For example, when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle at Mount Horeb, the people stood in reverence (Exodus 33:10). Similarly here, the glory has filled the temple (1 Kings 8:11, last week’s lesson) with the people standing before it. In the instance at hand, the congregation stands respectfully to hear the king, knowing that God is present (8:10–12).
Their standing in this context is a position of prayer. Though today we may think of kneeling as the most devout position, standing is often the preferred posture in ancient Israel (compare Leviticus 9:5; 1 Kings 8:22–61).
The king has been facing the sanctuary on a special brasen scaffold while the priests were at the altar (2 Chronicles 5:12; 6:13). Unlike the people, it appears that Solomon is kneeling as he speaks (6:13). Kneeling is not necessarily a posture of worship; this posture can be assumed in situations to express one’s lowly position before a more powerful or important person. In the context at hand, kneeling conveys respect for the Lord and humility in His presence (1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Isaiah 45:23).
In the world of the Bible, the act of blessing expresses one’s desire that God’s approval and goodwill will rest on a person or group. The content of Solomon’s blessing is not recorded here. Later verses offer clues of what Solomon may pray as a blessing for the people (1 Kings 8:29–53, not in today’s lesson text). Likely, the blessing the king seeks is for God to hear the people and forgive them when they repent of sins.
| What Do You Think? What will be your personal part in helping your congregation bless the people in its neighborhood? Digging Deeper |
Solomon’s blessing echoes Moses’ blessing of the people following the completion of the tabernacle (Exodus 39:32, 43). The king’s blessing of the congregation of Israel highlights his role as a spiritual leader among the people as well as his identity as the nation’s civic leader (compare Deuteronomy 17:14–20). Solomon’s words of blessing nudge Israel toward greater faithfulness (1 Kings 8:65, 66).
B. For the Lord (v. 15)
15a. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.
Having brought the ark of the covenant into the temple (1 Kings 8:6; see lesson 6), Solomon reminds Israel of the greatness of God (compare David’s words in 1 Chronicles 16:36). It seems strange that a lesser creature, Solomon, would pronounce blessing on the greater being, God; yet references to God being blessed appear frequently in the Old Testament (Genesis 24:27; Exodus 18:10; 1 Samuel 25:32, 39; 2 Samuel 18:28; 22:47; 1 Kings 1:48; etc.). Such passages emphasize that the Lord is worthy of reverence and praise.
Solomon begins the blessing by addressing God with the extended title the Lord God of Israel (see 1 Kings 8:17, 20). The component parts of this address suggest much about God. In English translations, the small capital letters in Lord indicate that the name Yahweh is being used. This is the name that God revealed to Moses, translated “I Am That I Am” (Exodus 3:14). At least two important attributes are suggested in this name: that God is eternal (compare 1 Timothy 1:17), and that He is unchanging (compare James 1:17).
In contrast with this special name, the Hebrew word translated God is much more generic. Many cultures in the Ancient Near East use a form of the same word to refer to the greatest of their gods. In Israel, of course, the term refers to the true God only and ascribes all honor and power and glory and might to Him.
The words Lord and God are frequently used together in the Bible, notably in Genesis 2. In combination, Lord God suggests that the most powerful god—the only God—is also a God who chooses to be close to His people, to reveal himself to them so that they can know Him.
The phrase of Israel further emphasizes God’s nearness—not just to His creation generally but to His chosen people specifically. The Lord God has chosen to create a covenant with Israel. Before revealing His name to Moses, the Lord indicated himself to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6). God connects His name to His people. Jesus will use this very name later to show that God is the God of the living, not the dead (Mark 12:24–27). The Lord God is the powerful, transcendent deity who is near to the Israelites and has made covenant with them.
15b. Which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying.
That Yahweh had spoken the promises unto David with His own mouth points both to God’s intimate involvement in the promise and to its reliability (compare Psalm 105:8; Hebrews 6:13–20). Working out those blessings with his hand paints an image of sovereign power (Deuteronomy 3:24; 2 Chronicles 30:12; Ezekiel 20:33; etc.). What the Lord had promised, He has now performed.
Unfulfilled Desires
On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke to a joint session of Congress. He urged Congress to join with him in accomplishing an amazing and seemingly unreachable goal: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”
Congress agreed, and work began in earnest. Tragically, Kennedy was assassinated less than six years before astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.
Neither President Kennedy nor King David lived to see their dreams fulfilled. However, their dreams inspired others who followed them. What dreams do you have that can challenge others to greatness in the cause of Christ and His kingdom?
—C. R. B.
II. Promises
(1 Kings 8:16–21)
A. For David (vv. 16–18)
16a. Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt.
Solomon joins Moses, Joshua, and Samuel as leaders of a given generation of Israelites who review significant events of their nation’s past (Deuteronomy 1–4; Joshua 24; 1 Samuel 12:6–15). We see in the Bible that remembering correctly is often the first step to acting rightly (Numbers 15:39; Deuteronomy 5:15; 1 Corinthians 11:23–34). Even God is said to remember His promises before taking action (Genesis 8:1; 9:15, 16; Exodus 2:24). Rehearsing national memories of what God has done helps orient a new generation toward God in preparation for a new era of His dealing with the nation (Exodus 13:3–16).
God’s covenant with Israel and His actions in rescuing that people from Egypt had formed the basis for God’s covenant with David (Exodus 19–24; 2 Samuel 7). The temple, obviously blessed by God with the presence of His glory (1 Kings 8:10, 11), now stands as a reminder of His continuing presence. It also serves as a portent of His future involvement in the nation (1 Kings 8:27–30; 2 Chronicles 6:10, 11). Should future generations dismiss God’s presence among them, judgment will follow (Jeremiah 7:4–15; Ezekiel 10:18, 19). They will, and it does.
| What Do You Think? What are some good memory aids to use to promote regular recall of how God has fulfilled and is fulfilling His promises to us? Digging Deeper |
16b. I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house.
Before Israel entered the promised land, Moses told the Israelites that the Lord would choose a place for their worship (Deuteronomy 12:4–7). For over four centuries, the portable tabernacle served as that sanctuary (Joshua 4:18, 19; 8:30–35; 1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Chronicles 17:5, 6).
During that time, Israel was meant to conquer the land (Joshua 1:3–6; Judges 1:19–21, 27–36). Israel’s hold on the land, however, began to solidify once David came to the throne. David’s victories over the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and the descendants of Ammon and Edom (2 Samuel 5:17–25; 8) resulted in Israel’s finally possessing the land the Lord had promised through Abraham and Moses (Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 11:24). David’s conquest of Jerusalem became the focal point of Israel’s victories (2 Samuel 5:6–12).
16c. That my name might be therein.
The name of the Lord is invoked repeatedly in the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:16–20, 29, 33, 35, 41–44, 48). God’s glory and His name are frequently invoked in similar ways. Both are used to speak of God’s awe-inspiring, transcendent nature.
When Moses desired to see the Lord’s glory, God allowed him instead to hear a proclamation of God’s name and to see His goodness (Exodus 33:18, 19). The Lord later proclaimed His name again to Moses, telling what His interactions with Israel have revealed about God’s character (34:6, 7). The glory of the Lord subsequently made Moses’ face shine (34:29–35).
While God’s glory suggests that He is unapproachable (compare 1 Timothy 6:16), His name speaks of Israel’s ability to know and experience His goodness and mercy. Solomon goes on to speak of Israel confessing the Lord’s name (1 Kings 8:33–36). Similarly, the psalmists frequently write of calling on or trusting in God’s name (Psalms 9:10; 80:18; 99:6; 105:1; 116:13, 17).
Attaching one’s name to something like a building or someone such as a spouse or family lineage conveys association. The Lord does not belong to the temple, but He does allow the temple to be associated with His name. He does not dwell in the temple in the sense that it contains Him. The Lord remains transcendent, free, and sovereign even though the temple is a place where worshippers can connect with God.
Solomon’s words suggest that the events in which the community is participating are part of the next major stage in the Lord’s ongoing relationship with Israel. Instead of choosing a city in which to place His name, the Lord had chosen David. God promised that David would have an everlasting dynasty and that a son would build a temple for the Lord (2 Samuel 7:11–16).
Now the city David conquered has become the place the Lord allows to be the home of the temple that reflects His name (2 Chronicles 6:6). The temple becomes the authorized location for Israelites to worship (Deuteronomy 12:5).
17. And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
The events Solomon recalls here and in subsequent verses are narrated in more detail in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17 (see commentary on 1 Kings 8:18, 19, below). Having conquered Jerusalem, David found an ally in Hiram, king of Tyre. Hiram aided in David’s building projects by sending cedars from Lebanon as well as skilled workers to Jerusalem. These builders helped David construct a palace (2 Samuel 5:11). After its completion, David became concerned that he was living in a cedar palace while Israel worshipped the Lord in a tent (1 Samuel 7:1, 2). He then committed himself to build an house for the Lord (1 Chronicles 22:7; Acts 7:46).
One inherently connects a person’s name to that person’s reputation. Therefore, David’s desire to build a house for God’s name expresses his desire to exalt the Lord God of Israel above the gods of the nations. This requires building the Lord an impressive house of worship that speaks of His glory and honor (Psalms 26:8; 132:5). Solomon will later connect the temple to the reputation of the Lord among the nations (1 Kings 8:41–43).
18. And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
Solomon’s assertion here does not appear to be quoted from any recorded material of anything the Lord said to Nathan or David (see 2 Samuel 7:5–16; 1 Chronicles 17:3–14). Instead, Solomon’s words make explicit that God had been pleased with David’s intent but not his timing.
| What Do You Think? Even though the church building is not equivalent to the temple of the old covenant, in what ways should it and/or its furnishings be treated as holy, if any? Digging Deeper |
By the Lord (v. 19)19. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name
.This verse highlights an important contrast: after God builds David’s house, David’s son will build the house for God. Despite David’s good intention, God did not desire that man to be the one who would build the temple (2 Samuel 7:5; compare 1 Kings 5:1–4). God’s pleasure with David’s impulse to build the Lord’s house can be seen in the fact that God allows his son Solomon to build it (2 Samuel 7:12, 13; 1 Kings 6).
Though David and Solomon may not have realized it at the time, the Lord’s promise to David will bring about fulfillments of promises made to the patriarchs as well. The Lord told Abraham that all people groups would be blessed through that man’s descendants (Genesis 12:3; 22:15–18). This promise is kept with God’s honoring Jacob’s blessing of Judah (49:8–12) when Jesus Christ is born of the line of David in the tribe of Judah (Luke 1:46–55, 68–75; 3:23, 33, 34).
| What Do You Think? How can we discern whether God is calling us to do something or is calling us to support someone else doing it? Digging Deeper |
In Solomon (vv. 20, 21)20. And the Lord hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
Kings in the Ancient Near East often build or refurbish a temple to their patron god in order to establish the legitimacy of their reign. Politically, it makes sense to have a designated place of worship for an entire nation. This can create a more cohesive culture and nurture greater unity than if each village worships at its own altars and temples. Solomon affirms that he has not built the temple in order to establish himself—God has already done that (1 Chronicles 28:6, 7). God’s placing of Solomon on the throne fulfills the Lord’s word to David (2 Samuel 7:12).
Peoples of the Ancient Near East consider their temples to be the houses or palaces of the deity. In fact, the Hebrew noun often translated temple can also refer to a palace (example: 1 Kings 21:1). Which use is intended must be determined by context. Because the Lord is both God and king, speaking of the temple can sound to Solomon’s audience like speaking of God’s palace. This reminds the audience of God’s royal status as Israel’s true king, residing in His palace in Jerusalem.21. And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
The ark represents God’s presence, throne, and reign (1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Chronicles 28:2; Psalms 99:1, 5; 132:7, 8; see lesson 6). The ark also testifies to the covenant relationship between the Lord and Israel (Numbers 10:33–36). Without the presence of the Lord that the ark represents, the temple is merely a majestic building. Without covenant faithfulness, neither the ark nor the temple mean anything (compare Jeremiah 7:1–15).
The ark contains the stone tablets of the covenant that the Lord had made in the desert with Israel. Solomon’s reference to the ark thus underlines the tie between Israel’s exodus experience and the Lord’s covenant with David, emphasized earlier. Almighty God was utterly faithful to Israel’s fathers who made the journey through the wilderness.
| What Do You Think? What guardrails can we put in place to ensure that God receives appropriate credit for accomplishments? Digging Deeper |
In some respects, the temple is analogous to the nation of Israel. The Lord will dwell in the temple just as He dwells within Israel. Just as the ark of the covenant is in the heart of the temple, so also the covenant is to be within the Israelites’ hearts and actions. In a similar way, we speak today of believers as being the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). We must therefore be faithful to our covenant with the Lord (6:20).
Keeping a Promise
“John did something terrible, but it was told to me in confidence. Promise to keep it a secret?” Some people find that the more scandalous the story, the harder it is to keep a promise not to spread the tale. Thus some people make promises they fully expect to break.
On the other hand, there are promises that we do intend to keep. The contract we sign when purchasing a house is one such promise, one with penalties if we break it. The promise we make to love and cherish a spouse “till death do us part” is a promise most people intend to keep. Then there are the promises of God, such as the ones Solomon recalled for Israel. God is the ultimate keeper of promises. We who are His children are called on to be as faithful as He is in keeping our word, whether to God or others. Do we?
—C. R. B.
Conclusion
A. God Is Faithful
Solomon’s declarations highlight the power of God’s promises. What God had promised to David, God fulfilled through Solomon. Just as the Lord God of Israel had kept His promises to the patriarchs, to Moses, and to Israel in general, so also He kept His promises to David. God’s covenant to establish an everlasting dynasty for David finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the son of David (Matthew 1:1).
In response to God’s promises, we are to be a covenant-keeping people. How we use our “temples” reflects our commitment to the Lord. Will others see God fulfilling His promises in us?
B. Prayer
Our Father, we thank You that You are the God of promises made and kept. We thank You for Your presence with us through Your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
If God has promised it, He will do it!
KID’S CORNER
Thirty-eight Years Later
Sunday, January 12, 2020
John 5:1-9
John 5:1-9
(John 5:1) After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
In John 5:1, John began with, “After this,” and there is a connection between the people and events in chapter 4 and chapter 5. In chapter 4, the woman of Samaria and the Samaritan townspeople learned the truth from Jesus and responded with belief that He is the Savior of the world. Also, in chapter 4, a royal official from Capernaum believed Jesus could heal his son and traveled twenty miles to ask Jesus to do so. The Samaritans came to faith after meeting Jesus. The royal official had heard about Jesus and expressed his faith in Jesus when he went home believing Jesus had healed his son. In chapter 5, we will see conflict more than faith resulting from Jesus healing a sick man.
The Jews required a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for three different festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. In fulfilling the Law of God, Jesus probably attended all three festivals each year of His ministry. In this instance, John does not tell us which festival Jesus attended, but we know that Jesus began attending the Passover festival yearly with His parents when they lived in Nazareth. When Jesus was twelve years old, He was found talking with the teachers in the Temple (see Luke 2:41-52). He may have continued to do talk with teachers in the Temple each time He went to a festival throughout His life, but the gospels are silent about Jesus’ life between the age of twelve and about thirty. The Gospel of John tells us more about Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem and Judea than the other gospels. In Jerusalem during the festivals, Jesus could do the most good for the greatest number of people, but He would also face the greatest opposition from religious and political leaders. Because the Temple was in Jerusalem, the expression “went up” was used by Jews when going from anywhere to Jerusalem.
(John 5:2) Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.
The Sheep Gate was the entry gate through the city wall for sheep that would have been sold and sacrificed in the Temple and used for food. The Sheep Gate is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1, 3:32, and 12:39. The pool’s name was given in Hebrew and was translated as: “Bethesda” in the KJV, the NASB, and the NIV, and as Beth-zatha in the NRSV. The five porticoes were probably covered porches where sick people were protected from the burning sun or driving rain while hoping to be healed in the pool.
(John 5:3) In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters;
The terms “impotent” (KJV) “sick” (NASB) “disabled” (NIV) and “invalid” (NRSV) were used to describe as a group those seeking to be healed at the pool. The blind, lame, and paralyzed at the pool probably begged for a living or depended on their family for survival until they were healed. Having tried other means of healing, waiting at the Pool of Bethesda for the waters to move was most likely their last hope for healing.
(John 5:4) [Omitted from the NIV, the NRSV, and the oldest Greek manuscripts, this verse better explains why sick people gathered at the pool] For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. [John 5:4 has been inserted from the KJV]
God sometimes sends angels to help and heal His people. For example, after the devil tempted Jesus, we learn that angels came and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11). And we learn in Hebrews 1:14, that angels serve the children of God: “Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Whatever the cause, those who were ill or disabled believed that an angel stirred the water from time to time and the first person to enter the pool would be healed of whatever disease they had. The people had faith in the healing power of God working through the water when angels stirred the water. We are reminded of Jacob’s well and the water that Jesus gives which is “a spring of water gushing up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Jesus also healed many; whereas, the pool in Jerusalem had healing value for only a few.
(John 5:5) A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.
Among all those waiting to be healed, Jesus saw a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years, which was longer than a lifetime for many in the time of Jesus. He was not ill from birth. In this situation, we find a sick man who saw Jesus but who did not know who Jesus was and who did not learn anything about Jesus until after Jesus healed him. Jesus taught truth to the Samaritan woman, but Jesus did not try to teach this sick man any truth prior to healing him. Perhaps Jesus knew that the man was too ill and in too much pain to think clearly about the truth and Jesus. We learn later that Jesus knew about the man’s sins, but He did not bring them up for discussion. The royal official with the sick son had some secondhand knowledge about Jesus’ power to heal before Jesus healed his son; then, he believed and went home after Jesus spoke the word to heal his son. Jesus’ ability to heal the sick man at the pool did not depend on the man knowing any new truth, or on him knowing Jesus, or on him having any faith in Jesus. As the Son of God, the Word of God, the Creator of the world, and the Savior of the world, Jesus had the power to heal the sick man with a word without relying on anything the sick man might think, feel, or believe.
(John 5:6) When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”
Since Jesus knew what was within all people, He knew the man had been at the pool a long time. Since the man had been there a long time, Jesus asked the man what He himself knew already, “Did the man really want to be healed.” Jesus wanted the man to think about his situation and his illness. Perhaps the man would be more comfortable begging for his living than being made well enough to work. Jesus’ question was for the man’s self-examination, not for Jesus’ information. Some prefer to remain ill rather than take on the increased responsibilities that come with being well.
(John 5:7) The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
What do we know about the man? Very little really. He did not say, “Yes! Of course, I want to be healed!” He did not say, “No. I would prefer to remain a sick beggar.” Rather, the man immediately blamed other people for the fact that he had not been healed, and he had no idea that the man who spoke to him could heal him. He made it clear that it wasn’t his fault he was still sick. First, he had no one to put him into the pool. So, we know that for most of thirty-eight years the man did not have a friend to help him, or they had all given up trying to help him. Jesus came to the man as a Friend to the friendless, and Jesus would help him that very day. Perhaps the man had no family. For some reason, perhaps his family had given up all hope for him long ago. Perhaps his family earned their living from his begging and preferred he remain sick. Perhaps no one in his family could wait with him and try every day for thirty-eight years to get him into the pool first. Essentially, the man was alone, bereft of family and friends. Second, as far as we know, none of the others who were also sick offered the man the opportunity to enter the pool ahead of them. Since he had been there for so many years before them, surely at least one able-bodied sick person would have offered to help him be first into the pool. It appears none of the sick ever showed compassion for the one who had been sick the longest. For some reason, those who were sick never took turns or waited in line for their turn to enter the pool first when the water was stirred. Perhaps the man was so disagreeable among family, former friends, and those around him that no one wanted to help him. Prolonged sickness can influence a person to become disagreeable. We will learn more about the man’s moral character as John’s account progresses, but as the Friend of sinners Jesus was filled with compassion. As His Savior, Jesus was willing to heal the man of all his afflictions. Furthermore, after Jesus healed him, if the man would receive Jesus as His Savior; then, he could become part of Jesus’ family and receive the gift of eternal life. In John 1:12, we learned this promise, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” After Jesus healed him, if the man showed an interest, Jesus would give him new truths, the Holy Spirit, new friends, and a new family.
(John 5:8) Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”
We do not know much about the man’s illness. Jesus found him lying on a mat. He said he was not quick enough to get into the pool first. He was at least lame and weak. When Jesus healed the man, He healed him completely and gave him the desire and the power to stand up, the strength to pick up his mat, and the ability to walk after thirty-eight years of lying on a mat day after day. Jesus will give everyone the power to do whatever He commands them to do.
(John 5:9) Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.
Without knowing Jesus or believing in Jesus or being brought to faith in Jesus, this hopeless man was made well by Jesus and did exactly what Jesus told him to do. By doing exactly what Jesus told him to do, he showed his complete healing to all around him. Unknowingly, the man demonstrated the power of the word of Jesus, the Son of God. However, after Jesus healed the man, we see no sign that the man expressed joy, praised God, or gave thanks for being healed. If he had expressed thanksgiving for what Jesus had done for him or for having been healed, John would surely have told us. We do not know what he thought after Jesus healed him. Maybe he thought that now he would need to get a job. We naturally have so many questions that we would like answered that the Holy Spirit working through John knew we did not need to know, for the Holy Spirit wants us to keep our focus on Jesus. Now, after Jesus worked this miracle, conflict begins and hostility toward Jesus increases in Jerusalem among the nation’s religious leaders—Jesus had healed the man on the Sabbath. We see no indication that the religious leaders or anyone else gave glory to God because the man had been healed after thirty-eight years of sickness. Later, we will be able to contrast this man’s response to Jesus with the response of the man born blind after Jesus healed him.
Thirty-eight Years Later
Sunday, January 12, 2020
John 5:1-9
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me (John 5:7—KJV). The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me” (John 5:7—NASB). The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me” (John 5:7—NRSV).
Imagine lying on a makeshift bed by a pool for thirty-eight years waiting to be healed. You are waiting for the water in the pool to be stirred by an angel, knowing that the first sick person to enter the pool will be healed, and for thirty-eight years someone has always beaten you to the water. Year after year you have seen sick people come and go after being made well, and you are still lying on a mat and becoming more hopeless. You have no member of your family and no friend to help you; they have all given up hope that the water will be stirred when they are with you. They have all gone back to their work and homes. Even though you have been there the longest, you have never had the other sick people at the pool agree that maybe they should wait their turn and let you go first. There was always someone in the crowd too selfish to delay his healing even for a moment. Friendless and hopeless, you can at least go to the pool to beg for enough handouts to meet your daily needs. Then, one day a stranger comes and asks you if you want to get well. You do not know He is the Friend of the friendless and the Healer of the helpless. How do you answer? He tells you, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” He also gives you the power to do what He says. How do you feel?
Thinking Further
Thirty-eight Years Later
Sunday, January 12, 2020
John 5:1-9
Name ________________________________
- Why was the pool near the Sheep Gate used by the blind, the lame, the paralyzed, and others? How was it used?
- Why did Jesus speak to and heal one of the people at the pool?
- What did Jesus ask the man? Why do you think Jesus asked His question?
- What did Jesus say to the man and what did the man do?
- What did the royal official in John 4 have before Jesus healed his son that the man at the pool did not have?
Discussion and Thinking Further
- Why was the pool near the Sheep Gate used by the blind, the lame, the paralyzed, and others? How was it used? They used the pool for healing purposes. They believed they would be healed of their afflictions if they were the first to enter the pool when the angel stirred the water.
- Why did Jesus speak to and heal one of the people at the pool? The man had been ill for a long time, for thirty-eight years. Jesus probably had many other reasons.
- What did Jesus ask the man? Why do you think Jesus asked His question? “Do you want to be made well?” I think Jesus asked the man the question to help him through a process of self-examination, to help him think through what the real reason might be for him not getting well rather than blaming others for not helping him get to the pool in time.
- What did Jesus say to the man and what did the man do? Jesus said, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” With the healing power of Jesus, the man did what Jesus told him to do.
- What did the royal official in John 4 have before Jesus healed his son that the man at the pool did not have? The man had some faith that Jesus could and would heal his son, that is why he traveled from Capernaum to Cana to find Jesus and ask Him for help. The man at the pool had no knowledge of who was talking to him and no faith in Jesus. Jesus worked a miracle without the man having faith in Him. Jesus does not depend on our faith to do anything He chooses to do.
Word Search
Thirty-eight Years Later
Sunday, January 12, 2020
John 5:1-9
Name ________________________________
Z S K W E V E Z E D Z G C W M
G X B Z B N Q M K R M N U D A
M S Q F W M I S A C F I M N Z
S Z H J Y F N X T L V L A I V
E B P E B P H R S C G K T L T
O W D L E F O W S U S E J B C
C J F O W P E O N D W G H L W
I E C H Y J X M L M I L A U H
T R J D E Z Y L A R A P H T F
R U C E U A F V K V S X L Q E
O S M Q S L E Z I F A U M O V
P A G R X U Q T K C K L A W C
H L M Y J A S L D J Z E G K M
A E Z W R E S T A N D R N L D
G M S L F G Y H G C I T Z V A
Festival
Jews
Jerusalem
Jesus
Sheep
Gate
Pool
Porticoes
Blind
Lame
Paralyzed
Stand
Take
Mat
Walk
True and False Test
Thirty-eight Years Later
Sunday, January 12, 2020
John 5:1-9
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
- Jesus did not attend the festivals in Jerusalem until He began His ministry at the age of about thirty. True or False
- Sheep entered the city of Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate. True or False
- The pool near the Sheep Gate was unfit for swimming because so many sheep muddied the water that the water became unhealthy. True or False
- Many blind, lame, and paralyzed people lay by the pool near the Sheep Gate. True or False
- When an angel stirred up the water in the pool with five porticoes, the first sick person to enter the water was made whole. True or False
- If a sick person at the pool was not made well before they were thirtyfive-years-old, the Pharisees said they had to leave Jerusalem, move to Samaria, and bath in Jacob’s well. True or False
- Jesus asked the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years if he wanted to be made well. True or False
- The sick man told Jesus, “Of course I want to get well!” True or False
- The man told Jesus that he could not get well because someone always stepped into the pool ahead of him. True or False
10, Jesus healed the man and told him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk,” and He healed him on the Sabbath. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
10.True
Prayer
Our Father, we thank You that You are the God of promises made and kept. We thank You for Your presence with us through Your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.