Worship Service

July 16 Former Prophets Nebi-im (1 & 2 Kings)
As we move into 1 Kings, David is an old man. His son, Solomon, will take over and under the reign of Solomon, Israel expands as much as it ever will. With David and Solomon, the biblical writers felt confident to have yet another view of YHWH. He will live in a temple and he will make a perpetual covenant with David. YHWH may still do some smiting when needed, but never will YHWH abandon Israel for the sake of David. The focus is on what happened in 587 BCE. Why? Why? Why? Why did YHWH allow Marduk (Babylon’s god) to win? Answer: YHWH didn’t allow Marduk to win. YHWH is boss of all gods. YHWH allowed the bad guys to win because the people of Judah were disobedient. They worshiped other gods. Because of this theology, Judah wasn’t absorbed into Babylonian religion when their world collapsed. They didn’t lose their god. This is all from a time period when natural things were explained by supernatural causes. Question: Can you think of a time in which God ever punished anyone?

Theme: Kingdom to Exile
Scripture: 2 Kings 23:26-27; 24:18-25:7; 25:21b (God turns his back)
Extras: Godspell “By the Willows”
Sermon Title: When Worlds Collapse