1 Kings 8:22 Then Shlomo stood before the altar of Adonai in the presence of the whole community of Isra’el, spread out his hands toward heaven, 23 and said, “Adonai, God of Isra’el, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep covenant with your servants and show them grace, provided they live in your presence with all their heart.
41 “Also the foreigner who does not belong to your people Isra’el — when he comes from a distant country because of your reputation 42 (for they will hear of your great reputation, your mighty hand and your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house; 43 then hear in heaven where you live, and act in accordance with everything about which the foreigner is calling to you; so that all the peoples of the earth will know your name and fear you, as does your people Isra’el, and so that they will know that this house which I have built bears your name.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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"If there's something strange in your neighborhood ... who you gonna call?
If it's something weird and it don't look good ... who you gonna call?"
These lyrics from the movie Ghostbusters bring to mind the matter of "invocation." Who you gonna call? In today's reading, King Solomon invokes the name of the Lord God of Israel. Solomon declares that there is no God like this God either in heaven above or on earth beneath. With hands stretched towards heaven, positioning himself before the altar, King Solomon declares the absolute sovereignty of God, recalling the covenant that serves to actualize God's promises and steadfast love.
Today's reading presents us with a picture-perfect example of how we ought to go about the matter of invoking both the name and the presence of God. We see in the words and actions of King Solomon a declaration of confident memory. Solomon shows us just who it is that we are gonna call whenever we find ourselves needing to be assured.
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice. Amen.
Chris Quello
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
1 Kings 8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven.
23 He said, "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart,
...
41 "Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name
42 --for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm--when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house,
43 then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built. [New Revised Standard Version]
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If it's something weird and it don't look good ... who you gonna call?"
These lyrics from the movie Ghostbusters bring to mind the matter of "invocation." Who you gonna call? In today's reading, King Solomon invokes the name of the Lord God of Israel. Solomon declares that there is no God like this God either in heaven above or on earth beneath. With hands stretched towards heaven, positioning himself before the altar, King Solomon declares the absolute sovereignty of God, recalling the covenant that serves to actualize God's promises and steadfast love.
Today's reading presents us with a picture-perfect example of how we ought to go about the matter of invoking both the name and the presence of God. We see in the words and actions of King Solomon a declaration of confident memory. Solomon shows us just who it is that we are gonna call whenever we find ourselves needing to be assured.
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice. Amen.
Chris Quello
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
1 Kings 8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven.
23 He said, "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart,
...
41 "Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name
42 --for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm--when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house,
43 then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built. [New Revised Standard Version]
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