Do you think of God as requiring sacrifice? How does the picture of God in Leviticus fit with your ideas about God?

They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the lamb of the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar on top of the food offerings presented to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.

~Leviticus 4:35

I guess you could say that God is someone that reaquires sacrifices, but it is definitely not done in teh same was as was described in Leviticus.  Our sacrifice is done verbally through prayer.  God is shown as might and all powerful in this book and I see him the same way.

The Queen of Sheba

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.

~I Kings 10:1

What two things did the Queen of Sheba know about Solomon?

• that he became famous and found the love for the Lord

Think of one famous person.  What made that person famous?  If you could meet one famous person, who would that person be?  What person can you think of who is famous because of "his relation to the name of the Lord"?

• the late Senator Kennedy because he helped to create or support many of the ADA laws that were made
• our president
• Blessed John Paul II

 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.

And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

~I Kings 10:2, 10

What does the Queen of Sheba's gift to Solomon tell you about her nation's wealth?  Why would she bring such extravigant gifts?

• that people that live in her nations are very rich
• to please him

What's the most extravigant gift you've ever given to another person?  To God?

• probably a bottle of cologne
• my heart

What's easier for you to give: a gift you can buy or a gift that requires that you give something of yourself?

• We probably shoudl do the latter, but probably the easiest for most of us is to by a gift for someone

Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.  Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.

~I Kings 10:2-3

What questions do you think the Queen of Sheba asked of Solomon?

• Probably questions about God

If you could have an audience with Solomon, what one question woudl you ask him?

• How did you find love for the Lord?

When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built,  the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.

~I Kings 10:4-5

What two things about Solomon most impressed the Queen of Sheba?

• I would say the wisdom he had and the many servants that served him

Do you know anyone whome you think is truly wise?  What imporesses you most about that person?

• I think I could say the chair person from the music departmetn at my college
• his sensitivity and encouragement towards others

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.  But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.  How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!  Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

~I Kings 10:6-9, 13

From everything you have read about the Queen of Sheba here, how would you describe her?

• inquisative

Is there anything in her character that you wish were true of you?  What can you do to develope yourself in that area?

• I would say being able to develpe some question s that woudl spark some meaning ful conversation with another person. 
• I guess a way I could do that is just relax and not think that a question I might have is stupid
  

Rizpah

The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.  But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.  He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.

~II Samuel 21:7-9

Why wasn't Jonathan's son Mephibosheth executed at this time too?

• because an oath was made before the Lord between David and Jonathan

The killing pretty much annihilated Saul's descendants.  Why would David order such wholesale execution?

• because David did not like Saul

Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night.

~II Samuel 21:10

Rizpah's vigil probably lasted several months.  How difficult do you thin it was?  What drove her on?

• For a mother to mourn her children, I think this was very hard for her
• I believe the Lord gave her strength to keep going

Have you ever undertaken a task that, had you know what was required, would have seemed beyond your ability or strength?  What kept you going?  What was the result?

• I can't think of a recent task that I have taken upon my shoulders that woudl have had sucha high demand, but I know I probably have done so and God is teh one taht has brough me through it and I have succsseeded

When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done,  he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.)  David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.

  They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

~II Samuel 21:11-14

What do you think induced David to gather up these bones and bury them?  His own sense of what was right?  pity for Rizpah?  Respect for the dead?

• I think he both pitied Rizpah because she loved them so much so he wanted to respect the deceased and have them properly buried

When have you had to have some outside circumstance stimulate you do to what was right?  What was the outcome?  What would have happened had you done nothing?

• right now I can't think of a current or recent situation

How is God's love for you like Rizpah's love for her children?

• It's very much alike.  God will always protect me and make sure I am kept away from danger

What dangers do Christians in the modern world face from the "lower authority" of politicians and rulers?

Well, here in the United States, the Christian population isn't really persecuted for anything, as far as I can see. However, there are many more Christians in other foreign countries that have suffered persecution and even worse, death from other lower authority politicians and rulers of their country.

Could Jesus run for political office in the United States? What kind of leader do people want today?

Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.  “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?

~Matthew 13:54-55

Even though I'm sure Jesus would not be looking into becoming a leader of a nation to rule like a king, but if he did, I'm sure he would have the vote of every professing Christian out there.  People want a leader that is honest to them and will do everyting in ther up most power to take care of any economic problems as soon as possible

The Wise Woman of Abel

All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down,

~II Samuel 20:15

In your own words, describe what you think it might have been like for a mother with several small children within the city wall of Abel.

• Life must have been pretty scary for both the mother and the children.  The mother probably would not let her children go outside.

While it is unlikely that you are your family have been in this same situation, there are many households today that are under a siege of some sort.  Abuse, financial misfortune, grief, illness - whether physical or mental - all can hold a family captive.  Do you know someone in such a situation?  A child?  Another woman?  A teen?  What can you do to help?

• At the current moment, I can't think of anyone close that is being held captive by these above things.  But, if I did, the thing I would do to help is pray for them and become an even closer friend to them.

a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.”  He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

    ~II Samuel 20:16-17

What do Joab's terse words reveal about his reaction to this brave woman?

• I'm not exactly sure how his words are terse but I guess he is intrigued by what the woman has to say

Have you ever been in a situation where the wise thing to do also required bravery?  Did you do it?  Why or why not?

• I think I have been.  A while ago I had to tell a guy to stop pushing me to do things and eventually ti came to be too much that I had to tell him off.  I'm generally a nice person and don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but that was the wise thing to do and it did take some bravery because I dont' usually tell people off

She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it.  We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”

 ~II Samuel 20:18-19

What might have given the town of Abel the reputation described here?  What does this tell you about its inhabitants?

• I am not sure if I will answer this question correctly or not, but I'm going to say that the Lord gave them the reputation that was described above
• I believe that the people of Abel are very trustworthy and get along wtih each other

Where do you go when you need answers?

• Anytime I need answers, I usually pray to God, and soon - if not right away - he will give me the answer I need to hear at teh right time

“Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!  That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

  Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

~II Samuel 20:20-22

What is your reaction to what the town of Abel did with Sheba?  Do you think the bargain they struck with Joab was a good one?  Why or why not?

• I am a little suprised because the wise woman had just said that they were a peaceful people, so I assumed they were not violent like this
• I suppose they made a good bargain because then they woudl not have to unwillingly fight their enemy

The facts of this story are physically brutal and disturbing, but the facts of life for many today in our society are just as brutal.  How can you be a wise woman in your corner of the world?

• by being there for my close friends who need me

How can your lifestyle help prepare people for Jesus?

Well, if they study a devotion and a chapter in a Bible everyday, and if they want to be a study buddy with me, that would be cool too, and if they make an effort to go to church every week, then I think this will help them to prepare for Jesus when the time is right