1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43

Now that David is sleeping with his ancestors, we learn more about Solomon as he says a prayer over the new Temple and installs in it, the Ark. The artifacts have never been found but their legend lives on. Also living on is the language of these later writers, the reformers from the time of Josiah, promising rewards and punishments for the righteous or the wicked in kind. Just as corrupt pastors of today call for judgment, the murderer Solomon (1 Kings 2:22-25), calls for it in front of God and everybody.

Solomon spends most of his time here trying to claim this Temple was God's idea, the fulfillment of some sort of prophecy. I don't think he makes a very good case. He gives a little, when he asks rhetorically, "But will God indeed dwell on the earth?" Of course he doesn't. He's getting more and more distant as the Bible story moves on.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

I cover some of the context for this passage when it is referenced in Year A.

Nahor gets a mention back in Genesis, back when other gods were spoken of more loosely. Raising up this rather obscure figure for this speech is an interesting choice.

Joshua is asking them to choose God. This is something everyone should consider every time they think about going to church. How does Joshua make his case? By listing the things God has done for them; brought them out of slavery, given them land, helped them in battle. In a world of competing gods, this makes sense. In a world of competing reasons, where we know this history isn't true, not so much. What preacher would offer an opportunity to leave today?

Ephesians 6:10-20

A pretty clear statement here that this is a spiritual battle. When they said "cosmic powers" and "heavenly places" back then they weren't speaking metaphorically, they believed these were real places where real gods and "evil ones" did battle. Since he's talking about a "gospel of peace", it's a little harder to tell just how literal he is being about "flaming arrows". Some of the items are analogies, such as "helmet of salvation" and "sword of the Spirit" which he explains means the word of God. So it's a peaceful type of battling, but these battle grounds up in space somewhere are very real to him.

The author, who claims to be Paul, wraps up his letter/sermon by asking for support for all he's doing.

John 6:56-69

Interesting that the Lectionary overlaps 3 verses from last week to start this week. They did the same thing with one verse from two weeks ago. And John 6:35 has appeared three times already this year. We also hear from the doubters again. This time we hear from the devout too. They say they understand exactly what is going on and are hanging around because of it. Very different from the disciples in Mark who often don't seem to understand Jesus and his message.

Also of note, the last few weeks have been espousing the belief of annihilationism. That is, after you die, if you didn't accept Christ correctly, you're just gone; "you have no life in you", and "I will raise that person up on the last day" with no mention of those who don't come to Jesus. Their ancestors just died, but if you eat of the bread of Christ you will live forever. Bummer for them, but better than eternal suffering in hell I guess.