Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 9 October, 2022
“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will
I make known thy faithfulness to all generations” (Ps. 89:1)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Baptism
I Will Pour My Spirit Upon Thy Seed [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:21-44:8
Text: Isaiah 44:3-5
I. The Rich Promise
II. The Designated Recipients
III. The Wonderful Results
Psalms: 87:1-7; 42:6-11; 105:6-12; 128:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Hallowing God’s Worthy Name [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 86
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 47
I. The Greatness of the Name
II. The Ways of the Hallowing
III. The Fear of the Opposite
Psalms: 20:1-7; 43:1-5; 113:1-9; 66:1-7
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Homer C. Hoeksema on Isaiah 44:3-5: “Through the pouring out of the Spirit, God’s people will become conscious of their being the possession of Jehovah. They are his property by eternal election, and through the Spirit they become conscious of their election. By their purchase through the blood of Christ, they will become conscious of being one with all the people of God, whom God gathers as the church, the one holy nation, the body of Christ, from the beginning to the end of the world. God’s people know themselves to be part of that living communion, and they confess it. Belonging to Jehovah and belonging to the body of Christ always go together. It is impossible to say, ‘I belong to Jehovah, but I do not belong to the church. I am the Lord’s property, but I am not one with God’s people.’ The two go hand in hand, and God’s people confess this” (Redeemed With Judgment, vol. 2, p. 150).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This morning we witness the baptism of Elsie Joy Crossett. May the Lord give strength and wisdom to David & Kristin as they fulfil their vows and teach their children to walk in His ways.
We rejoice with the Joe McCaughern family in the birth of a baby boy, Jude, on Friday. Lisa and Jude remain in Antrim hospital, but are both doing well.
An RFPA Update is on the back table. Prof. Engelsma’s second volume on eschatology, The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End — The Coming of Christ, is available for any book club member who has not yet picked up his or her copy.
Monday catechism classes:
5:00PM: Corey, Jason, Katelyn, Maisie & Sebastian (Seniors OT)
5:45PM: Eleanora, Felicity, Hannah, Jorja, Keagan, Lucas, Sammy, Somaya,
Sophie & Yossef (Beginners NT)
6:30PM: Penelope & Xander (Juniors OT)
7:15PM: Angelica, Bradley, Jack, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Heidelberg, Book 2)
8:00PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Pre-confession)
Membership Class: Billy & Val McCaughern, Monday at 9 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet to discuss Roman Catholicism on faith.
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday, 21 September, at 7:30 PM. We will consider the meaning of Daniel 9:24-27 in connection with Article 37.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “Resist the Devil” (I Pet. 5:8-9).
Everyone is welcome to stay for tea after the service next Sunday evening, 16 October, and say farewell to Timothy Spence who is going to Tasmania for a year. He will be attending the EPC in Launceston. Tea rota: Group 1.
Offerings: £2,270.22. Donation: £200 (England).
Translation Additions: 2 Hungarian, 2 Polish and 2 Spanish.
PRC News: Doon PRC has called Rev. Maatman (Southeast, MI).
Solomon’s Fall
Brian D. Dykstra
I Kings 11
Solomon’s reign had been going so well, a golden age, literally and figuratively. However, the first word of I Kings 11 alerts us of trouble ahead, “but.” We are prepared for a contrast. The trouble begins in Solomon’s loving many “strange” women. This is not the true love shared by godly spouses because they share in the same gracious gift of faith from the God of their salvation. This is only lust. These women are not “strange” in the sense that they have a quirky taste in fashion or hairstyle. These were heathen women who had not put away their idols, gods strange to Israel.
Solomon did not regard the warning God gave His people through Moses in Deuteronomy 17:17. God warned His people not to multiply wives, gold, silver or horses. The warning about multiplying women came with the express warning about how heathen women would turn away the heart from God.
The mention of Pharaoh’s daughter could place her in distinction from these heathen women, hinting that she is Solomon’s true wife. Also, there is a listing of idol gods whom Solomon worshipped with his strange wives but no idols of Egypt are named. As mentioned in an earlier article, some commentators take this as evidence that Pharaoh’s daughter believed in Jehovah. She was not part of the problem of Solomon’s heart not being perfect with the Lord.
Solomon was rich and powerful. Neighbouring nations and rich men would seek an alliance with Solomon to guarantee good behaviour between the parties. Marriages were part of these agreements. Scripture says, however, “Solomon clave unto these in love.” He desired them. These marriages were not just part of an alliance. Just as a fire always demands more wood, Solomon’s lust required more women. His lust did not diminish as he aged.
Marriage is friendship and fellowship, sharing life together in intimate communion. How could Solomon have a proper marriage relationship with 1,000 women? If Solomon were to share breakfast, lunch and dinner with one of his women, it would take about 11 months of seeing three women per day for Solomon to see them all. What kind of relationship could he have had with them?
Solomon built places of worship for his wives’ idols on the Mount of Olives. This hill faced Mount Moriah, the location of the temple. One wonders how God’s faithful people felt when they glanced at the neighbouring hill where idols were served.
God is angry with Solomon. This is no surprise. Scripture records that this was the God who “had appeared unto him twice.” Solomon could not claim that he was not sure about the will of God. Solomon had spoken with Him directly. Solomon could not say God was not providing for his physical, daily needs either. Solomon had grown spiritually cold and careless.
There were consequences for Solomon’s sin. God does not totally withdraw His grace or Spirit from him but God will bring trouble into Solomon’s life as the means to bring him to repentance. Some claim that Solomon is not a child of God at all but that he is an unbeliever, and that it simply took many years for Solomon to show what was really in his heart. However, God does not use unbelievers to write His inspired Word. Solomon is not an unbeliever but he is an example of a fallen saint. God announces that He will rend the kingdom from Solomon and give it to his servant. God remembers David, so this rending will take place when Solomon’s son becomes king.
One adversary of Solomon is Hadad. He was an Edomite, a descendant of reprobate Esau. David and Joab fought Edom and killed every male there. Yet Hadad, being a small child at the time, escaped with some servants. They went to Egypt. Pharaoh provided for Hadad and was so pleased with him that Pharaoh gave Hadad a wife, a sister of his own wife. When David and Joab died, Hadad wanted to return to his own land.
Edom was carefully controlled by Israel which maintained soldiers there. Hadad was not able to revenge himself upon Israel under those conditions. It is likely that Hadad joined with Rezon. Rezon finally began to rule in Damascus and Hadad succeeded him. Many subsequent rulers of Syria, with Damascus as the capital, were named Benhadad, “son of Hadad.” Syria’s animosity toward Israel would continue for many years.
Was Solomon surprised that Egypt protected Hadad? Wouldn’t the fact that Solomon’s wife came from Egypt give Solomon protection from a potential foe? Shouldn’t the affinity between Solomon and Egypt have caused Hadad to be driven away, instead of being protected and honoured? If Solomon thought an alliance with Egypt would eliminate any threat from that direction, he was mistaken. Even the planning of a man as wise as Solomon isn’t always successful.
The last adversary to Solomon mentioned in this chapter is Jeroboam. He is from Ephraim, a tribe which envied Judah and whose people felt they should have the leadership role in Israel. Solomon had many building projects. Jeroboam, as assigned by Solomon, raised a workforce from Ephraim to take up their share of the labour. Ephraim was not happy about giving this labour. Did they feel it was time for these projects to come to an end? Did these projects in Jerusalem give the Ephraimites an opportunity to see Solomon’s huge household which was very expensive to support? Jeroboam plants the seeds of discontent and slowly builds support for his rebellion.
The prophet Ahijah meets Jeroboam as Jeroboam is leaving Jerusalem. When they were alone, Ahijah takes his own new garment, not Jeroboam’s, and tears it in twelve pieces. Ahijah gives ten of twelve pieces to Jeroboam. One must not think of this as ten tribes joining Jeroboam, for the tribes of Simeon, which had its inheritance inside of Judah’s, and little Benjamin remained with Judah and David’s house. Jeroboam receiving ten pieces pictures the fact that most of Israel would follow Jeroboam.
Ahijah’s garment was new, not old and tattered. The kingdom of Israel, as ruled by David’s dynasty, was also new, not even one hundred years old. One would think such a united, wealthy and strong kingdom would have a long history before it. However, Solomon had turned from God. Those who turn from God will find the consequences for sin are nearer than imagined. God is wise and almighty. He has many means at His disposal to being His people to repentance.
Parts of Ahijah’s message to Jeroboam indicate that, although his revolt would be successful, he did not have God’s approval. Ahijah refers to David as God’s “servant” in his speech. Jeroboam would have recalled that God had chosen David and his sons to rule over his people. Jeroboam would be disobeying God by rebelling against David’s house. Ahijah also mentions Jerusalem, the city in which God chose to place His name. Jeroboam and the tribes which followed him would no longer be able to go to Jerusalem, the place of God’s temple. Jerusalem was where God was worshipped. The ark and the mercy seat were there, pictures of God’s dwelling with His people. God often uses sin to punish sin. God predestined these events, even permitting them, but He does not consider Jeroboam’s rebellion to be righteous. Jeroboam, the man who made Israel to sin, flees to Egypt and waits.
