Bearing God's Name by Carmen Joy Imes

Author:Carmen Joy Imes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sinai;Old Testament;Old Testament for Christians;Decalogue;Ten Commandments;Name Command;Old Testament Law;Old Testament Law for Christians;Moses;biblical theology;Mount Sinai;old testament theology;jewish law;biblical law;Yahweh;biblical ethics;Israel;taking the lord's name in vain;taking god's name in vain;bearing god's name;you shall not take the lord's name in vain;third commandment;3rd commandment;old testament ethics;christian ethics
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2019-09-27T11:07:25+00:00

Solomon recognizes the missional significance of Yahweh’s acts on Israel’s behalf. The election of Israel as Yahweh’s special people and Jerusalem as the special place for his house motivates God to act on their behalf (1 Kings 8:53; 11:13, 32, 36; cf. 14:21). Yahweh’s fame provides the sole basis for Solomon’s appeal for blessing, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other” (1 Kings 8:60).

Not only does Solomon’s temple dedication feature the name of Yahweh, but it also echoes the dedication of the tabernacle at Sinai. Sinai, referred to here as Horeb, is specifically mentioned as the ark is brought into the inner sanctuary: “There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt” (1 Kings 8:9). Just as “Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:35), so at Solomon’s temple dedication “the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple” (1 Kings 8:11).11 The presence of Yahweh filling this new temple was a tremendous affirmation of Yahweh’s ongoing covenant commitment to Israel. Centuries had already passed since Sinai, years punctuated by faithlessness and rebellion on the part of the Israelites. Still, Yahweh keeps his promise and offers more grace.

Solomon’s wisdom has a magnetic effect on the surrounding nations. First, all Israel marvels at his wisdom (1 Kings 3:28); then the nations begin to notice (1 Kings 4:29-34). King Hiram of Tyre blesses Yahweh on account of Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 5:7). The Queen of Sheba travels a great distance to hear his wisdom personally and blessed Yahweh (1 Kings 10:1-10). Indeed, the “whole world” seeks Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 10:24). This sounds like the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise to bring blessing to the nations. But it doesn’t last.

Yahweh’s standard remains clear. If Israel fails to keep the covenant, Yahweh will destroy the temple and make Israel the object of mockery in the sight of the nations (1 Kings 9:6-9). In spite of Solomon’s wisdom, he proves himself to be easily swayed from covenant faithfulness, marrying hundreds of wives for the sake of political alliances, and providing ways for them to continue to worship gods other than Yahweh. Solomon takes his place among the majority of Israel’s leaders who tolerated blatant disregard for the covenant.

After Solomon, the kingdom is split in two. His son Rehoboam rules the southern kingdom, which comes to be known as Judah. Jeroboam rules the northern kingdom, known as Israel. Jeroboam’s first act as king is to set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel, marking the northern and southern boundaries of his territory. This ensures that the Israelites will not travel further south to worship Yahweh at the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem.

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