Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple (2025)

Summary

Summary of "Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple"

Podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Father Mike Schmitz
Episode: Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple
Release Date: May 30, 2025

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Introduction

In Day 150 of The Bible in a Year podcast, Father Mike Schmitz delves into a pivotal moment in biblical history: the Dedication of the Temple as narrated in 1 Kings Chapter 8. Accompanied by excerpts from Ecclesiastes Chapters 3-5 and a prayerful reflection on Psalm 6, this episode offers listeners a profound exploration of faith, wisdom, and the human experience through scripture.

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Scriptural Readings

1 Kings Chapter 8: The Dedication of the Temple

Father Mike and his co-host embark on a detailed reading of 1 Kings 8, capturing the grandeur and solemnity of King Solomon's dedication of the Temple. Key highlights include:

• Arrival of the Ark of the Covenant:
  “Then the priests brought the Ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house... and there they are to this day.” (03:02)

• Solomon's Prayer of Dedication:
  Solomon's heartfelt prayer emphasizes God's omnipresence and His covenantal promises. Notable lines include:
  “O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you... you have fulfilled your promise which you made through your servant Moses.” (05:03)

• Blessing the Assembly:
  Solomon concludes with a blessing:
  “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised.” (09:58)

Insights:
Father Mike underscores the significance of Solomon's adherence to God's commands, the restoration of the Ark, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the spiritual center for Israel. He highlights how the Temple serves as a tangible connection between God's presence and His people.

Ecclesiastes Chapters 3-5: Reflections on Life's Seasons and Wisdom

Transitioning to Ecclesiastes, the discussion navigates through King Solomon's meditations on the nature of existence:

• A Time for Everything:
  “There is a time for every matter under heaven... a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (12:07)

• The Futility of Pursuing Wealth:
  “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with gain. This too is vanity.” (26:33)

• The Value of Friendship:
  “Two are better than one... A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (15:40)

Insights:
Father Mike explores the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the enduring value of relationships. He emphasizes the wisdom in Ecclesiastes, urging listeners to seek meaning beyond material success and to cherish genuine connections.

Psalm 6: A Prayer for Recovery

Concluding the readings, Psalm 6 serves as a poignant prayer for healing and mercy:

• Supplication for Mercy:
  “O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor chasten me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am languishing.” (19:15)

• Prayer for Healing:
  “O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is sorely troubled.” (19:15)

Insights:
The podcast highlights the intimacy of Psalm 6, reflecting personal anguish and a deep yearning for divine intervention. Father Mike relates this to the human experience of suffering and the comforting assurance of God's compassion.

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Reflections and Discussions

Solomon's Dedication and God's Presence:
Father Mike emphasizes the awe-inspiring manifestation of God's presence during the Temple dedication:
“The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (03:35).
He discusses how this divine encounter underscores the sanctity of worship spaces and the humbling realization of God's majesty.

Wisdom from Ecclesiastes:
Analyzing Solomon's contemplations, Father Mike draws parallels to contemporary life:

• Embracing Life's Seasons:
  The cyclical nature of existence encourages acceptance and purposeful living.
  “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (12:07)

• Critique of Materialism:
  The relentless pursuit of wealth often leads to dissatisfaction.
  “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money... This also is vanity.” (26:33)

• Importance of Community:
  True friendship provides strength and resilience.
  “Two are better than one... A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (15:40)

Personal Application:
Father Mike encourages listeners to introspect on their own lives, questioning where they seek fulfillment and the value they place on relationships versus material gains. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the transformative power of embracing biblical wisdom.

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Prayer and Spiritual Practice

The episode culminates with a reflective prayer inspired by Psalm 6. Father Mike and his co-host lead a heartfelt supplication for healing, guidance, and the ability to discern God's will:

• Key Elements of the Prayer:

  • Acknowledgment of Need:
    “Father in heaven we give you praise, and we thank you. We just ask that you please open your ears to our cry.” (20:09)

  • Request for Compassion and Guidance:
    “Open our eyes to see you clearly in your will and open our ears to hear your voice.” (20:42)

  • Communal Support:
    Emphasizing mutual prayer and support among the community.
    “Let us pray for each other.” (28:55)

Insights:
Father Mike highlights the importance of prayer in seeking divine intervention and fostering a supportive faith community. He encourages listeners to adopt genuine and heartfelt prayer practices, aligning their hearts with God's purposes.

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Conclusion

In Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple, Father Mike Schmitz masterfully weaves together historical accounts, timeless wisdom, and personal reflections to offer a comprehensive understanding of faith in action. By exploring Solomon's dedication, the profound teachings of Ecclesiastes, and the intimate prayers of Psalm 6, listeners are invited to deepen their relationship with God and apply biblical principles to their everyday lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Sacred Spaces: The Temple symbolizes God's dwelling among His people, reminding believers of His constant presence.
• Wisdom Beyond Wealth: True fulfillment lies not in material accumulation but in meaningful relationships and purposeful living.
• Power of Community: Strong, supportive friendships are essential for navigating life's challenges.
• Intimate Prayer: Genuine supplication fosters a closer connection with God, offering solace and guidance.

Father Mike concludes by urging listeners to reflect on their spiritual journeys, seek God's will, and embrace the interconnectedness of the biblical narrative as it pertains to their lives today.

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Notable Quotes

• Father Mike Schmitz (05:03):
  “O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you... you have fulfilled your promise which you made through your servant Moses.”

• Father Mike Schmitz (12:07):
  “There is a time for every matter under heaven... a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

• Father Mike Schmitz (15:40):
  “Two are better than one... A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

• Father Mike Schmitz (26:33):
  “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with gain. This also is vanity.”

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*Timecodes refer to the sections within the transcript where the quotes and discussions occur.

Transcript

[Unknown Host]

Before we get started, I just wanted to offer a quick thank you to all those who have supported the Catechism.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

In a Year or the Bible in a Year podcast.

[Unknown Host]

We hear stories every day about how those shows have transformed people's lives. And because of your prayers and financial gifts, you are a significant part of that. You might ask a question, though. Question is, what does Ascension do with these financial gifts? Great question. The answer is we make authentically Catholic podcasts and videos and other digital content to help people know the Catholic faith and grow closer to God. And we do it all for free. If you found this podcast to be helpful in your life and would like to help us continue making free Catholic content we can post online, please consider making a financial contribution, an ongoing financial contribution, by going to ascensionpress.com support that's ascensionpress.com support.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Thank you and God bless. Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. Today is day 150. That is half of 300, because I am super good at math and that means we are.

[Unknown Co-host]

We're trucking along, which is awesome. We're reading from First Kings chapter 8.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Today, as well as three chapters out of Ecclesiastes chapters 3, 4 and 5.

[Unknown Co-host]

We're also praying Psalm 6.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

As always, the Bible translation that I'm reading from is the Revised Standard Version, the second Catholic edition. I am using the Great Adventure Bible from a.

[Unknown Co-host]

If you want to download your own.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Bible in a year reading plan, you can visit ascensionpress.com bibleinayear and you can also subscribe to this podcast if you want to subscribe to this podcast. That's the last time I want to say it. This is the last time I'm going to say it today. Ha. Last time today, as I said. What day is it?

[Unknown Co-host]

Day 150.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Gosh. So we have a number of chapters to get through. Again, just one chapter in 1 Kings chapter 8. It's a longer chapter though, and it is going to be familiar to you if you have been listening the last couple days, because this is the dedication of the temple. So the Ark of the Covenant is.

[Unknown Co-host]

Going to be moved into the temple.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And Salt Solomon is going to have his prayer of dedication and we're going to be able to be part of that. As we move into the dedication of.

[Unknown Co-host]

The Temple and Solomon's Prayer, we're also.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Moving three chapters, as I said, in Ecclesiastes. So we need to get started because we also are going to pray.

[Unknown Co-host]

Psalm 6 at the end. The first book of Kings, chapter 8, the dedication of the Temple. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers houses of the sons of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, and to bring up the Ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And all the men of Israel assembled.

[Unknown Co-host]

To King Solomon at the feast in.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The month Athanim, which is the seventh month.

[Unknown Co-host]

And all the elders of Israel came.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And the priests took up the Ark.

[Unknown Co-host]

And they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting. And all the holy vessels that were in the tent, the priests and the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Levites brought them up.

[Unknown Co-host]

And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who had assembled before him were with him before the Ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. Then the priests brought the Ark of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The covenant of the Lord to its.

[Unknown Co-host]

Place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles. And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

There was nothing in the ark except.

[Unknown Co-host]

The two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb. When the Lord made a covenant with.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The sons of Israel, when they came.

[Unknown Co-host]

Out of the land of Egypt.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And when the priests came out of.

[Unknown Co-host]

The holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Solomon's speech Then Solomon said, the Lord.

[Unknown Co-host]

Has set the sun in the heavens, but has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever. Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, blessed be the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The God of Israel, who with his.

[Unknown Co-host]

Hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David, my father, saying, since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt. I chose no city and all the tribes of Israel in which to build.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

A house, that my name might be there.

[Unknown Co-host]

But I chose David to be over my people Israel. Now it was in the heart of David my father, to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to David, my.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Father, whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name.

[Unknown Co-host]

You did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, you shall not build the house, but your son, who shall be born to you, shall build the house for my name. Now the Lord has fulfilled his promise which he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. And I have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. And there I have provided a place for the ark in which is the covenant of the Lord which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Solomon's Prayer of Dedication Then Solomon stood.

[Unknown Co-host]

Before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven and said, o Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing mercy to your servants, who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father, what you declared to him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and with your hand, have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O Lord God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

What you have promised him, saying, there.

[Unknown Co-host]

Shall never fail you a man before me to sit upon the throne of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Israel, if only your sons take heed.

[Unknown Co-host]

To their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Now therefore, O God of Israel, let.

[Unknown Co-host]

Your word be confirmed which you have spoken to your servant David my father. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you. How much less this house which I have built. Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication. O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer which your.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Servant prays before you this day, that.

[Unknown Co-host]

Your eyes may be opened day and night toward this house, the place of which you have said my name shall be there that you may listen to the prayer which your servant offers toward.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

This place, and hear the supplication of.

[Unknown Co-host]

Your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive if a man sins against his neighbour, and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house, then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct upon his own head and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness. When your people, Israel, are defeated before.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The enemy because they have sinned against.

[Unknown Co-host]

You, if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and make supplication to you in this house, then hear in heaven and forgive the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Sin of your people Israel, and bring.

[Unknown Co-host]

Them again to the land which you gave to their fathers. When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Against you, if they pray toward this.

[Unknown Co-host]

Place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin when you afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Sin of your servants, your people Israel.

[Unknown Co-host]

When you teach them the good way in which they should walk and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight, or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by any man, or by all your people.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Israel, each knowing the affliction of his.

[Unknown Co-host]

Own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house, then hear in heaven.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act.

[Unknown Co-host]

And render to each whose heart you know according to all his ways. For you you only know the hearts of all the children of men, that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land which you gave to our fathers. Likewise, when a foreigner who is not of your people Israel, comes from a.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Far country for your name's sake, for.

[Unknown Co-host]

They shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand and of your outstretched arm. When he comes and prays toward this house, hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Do your people Israel, and that they.

[Unknown Co-host]

May know that this house which I have built is called by your name. If your people go out to battle.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Against their enemy, by whatever way you.

[Unknown Co-host]

Shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name, then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And maintain their cause if they sin against you.

[Unknown Co-host]

For there is no man who does.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Not Sin and you are angry with.

[Unknown Co-host]

Them, and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy far off or near. Yet if they lay it to heart in the land to which they have.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Been carried captive and repent and make.

[Unknown Co-host]

Supplication to you in the land of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Their captors, saying, we have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly, if they.

[Unknown Co-host]

Repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Their enemies who carried them captive and.

[Unknown Co-host]

Pray to you toward their land which you gave to their fathers, the city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name, then hear in heaven your dwelling, place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. And forgive your people who have sinned against you and all their transgressions which they have committed against you. And grant them compassion in the sight of those who carry them captive, that.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

They may have compassion on them.

[Unknown Co-host]

For they are your people and your heritage which you brought out of Egypt from the midst of the iron furnace. Let your eyes be open to the supplication of your servant and to the supplication of your people Israel, giving ear to them whenever they call to you. For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage, as you declared through Moses, your servant when you brought our fathers out of Egypt.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

O Lord God, Solomon blesses the assembly.

[Unknown Co-host]

Now, as Solomon finished offering all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven. And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying, blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise which he uttered by Moses, his servant. The Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes and his ordinances, which he has commanded our fathers. Let these words of mine, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord. Be near to the Lord our God, day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of all his people Israel, as.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Each day requires that all the people of the earth may know that the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Lord is God, there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments as.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

At this day Solomon offers sacrifices, Then the king and all Israel with him.

[Unknown Co-host]

Offered sacrifice before the Lord. Solomon offered as peace offerings to the Lord 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord. The same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord, for there he offered the burnt offerings and the cereal offerings and the fat pieces of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar that was before the Lord was too small to receive the burnt offering and the cereal offering and the fat pieces of the peace offerings. So Solomon held the feast at that.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Time and all Israel with them.

[Unknown Co-host]

A great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt before the Lord our God. Seven days. On the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king and went to their homes joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had shown to David his servant, and to Israel his people.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 Everything has a season. For everything there is a season, and.

[Unknown Co-host]

A time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And a time to pluck up what.

[Unknown Co-host]

Is planted, a time to kill and.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

A time to heal, a time to.

[Unknown Co-host]

Break down and a time to build.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Up, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to seek and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away, a.

[Unknown Co-host]

Time to tear and a time to.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Sow, a time to keep silence and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

[Unknown Co-host]

What gain has the worker from his toil?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

God given tasks?

[Unknown Co-host]

I have seen the business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also he has put eternity into man's mind yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. Also that it is God's gift to man that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has made it so in order that Men should fear before him that.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Which is already has been, that which.

[Unknown Co-host]

Is to be already has been. And God seeks what has been driven away. Judgment and the future belong to God. Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice even there.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Was wickedness, and in the place of.

[Unknown Co-host]

Righteousness even there was wickedness.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for.

[Unknown Co-host]

He has appointed a time for every matter and for every work. I said in my heart, with regard to the sons of men, that God is testing them to show them that they are but beasts. For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts. For all is vanity. All go to one place, all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the spirit of man.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Goes upward and the spirit of the beasts goes down to the earth?

[Unknown Co-host]

So I saw that there is nothing.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Better than that a man should enjoy.

[Unknown Co-host]

His work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Chapter 4 Injustice of Life Again I.

[Unknown Co-host]

Saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun, and behold the tears of the oppressed. And they had no one to comfort them. On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead, who are already dead, more fortunate than the living.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Who are still alive.

[Unknown Co-host]

But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Again I saw vanity under the sun. A person who has no one, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, for whom am.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?

[Unknown Co-host]

This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The Value of friendship. Two are better than one, because they.

[Unknown Co-host]

Have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, and has not another.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

To lift him up again.

[Unknown Co-host]

If two lie together, they are warm. But how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone. Two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will no longer take advice, even though he had gone from prison to the throne or in his own kingdom had been born poor. I saw all the living who move about under the sun, as well as that youth who was to stand in his place. There was no end of all the people he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind, reverence, humility, enjoyment. Guard your steps when you go to.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The house of God.

[Unknown Co-host]

To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For for God is in heaven and you upon earth.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Therefore let your words be few, For a dream comes with much business and.

[Unknown Co-host]

A fool's voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Has no pleasure in fools.

[Unknown Co-host]

Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Messenger that it was a mistake.

[Unknown Co-host]

Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For when dreams increase, empty words grow many.

[Unknown Co-host]

But you must fear God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

If you see in a province the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Poor oppressed and justice and right violently taken away, do not be amazed at a matter. For the high official is watched by a higher and there are yet higher ones over them. But in all a king is an advantage to a land with cultivated fields. He who loves money will not be.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Satisfied with money, Nor he who loves wealth with gain.

[Unknown Co-host]

This also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much. But the surfeit of the rich will not let him sleep. There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun. Riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is a father of a son. But he has nothing in his hand.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

As he came from his mother's womb.

[Unknown Co-host]

He shall go again naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil, which he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous just as he came, so shall he go. And what gain has he that he toiled for the wind and spent all his days in darkness and grief, in much vexation and sickness and resentment? Behold what I have seen. To be good and to be fitting, is to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life which God has given him. For this is his lot. Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power, to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and find enjoyment in his toil. This is the gift of God, for he will not much remember the days.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Of his life, because God keeps him.

[Unknown Co-host]

Occupied with joy in his heart.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Psalm 6 Prayer for Recovery from grave Illness to the choirmaster with stringed instruments According to the Sheminith A Psalm of David.

[Unknown Co-host]

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor chasten me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am languishing. O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is sorely troubled. But you, O Lord, how long turn. O Lord, save my life. Deliver me for the sake of your merciful love. For in death there is no remembrance of you in Sheol who can give you praise. I am weary with my moaning. Every night I flood my bed with tears. I drench my couch with my weeping. My eyes wastes away because of grief. It grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil. For the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication. The Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and sorely troubled.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

They shall turn back and be put.

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To shame in a moment.

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Father in heaven we give you praise, and we thank you. We just ask that you please open your ears to our cry. Open your eyes to our trouble.

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And Lord God, open your hand in our need.

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You know what we need, and you.

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Hear our prayers always.

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You see us constantly, and yet you.

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Desire that we ask. You desire that we pray. You desire that we seek and knock and ask.

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And and so we ask you, please hear our prayer this day, see our.

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Need this day, and open your hand.

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To give us what we need. But also we ask you, Lord, to open our hands that we can receive from you. Open our eyes to be able to.

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See you clearly in your will and.

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Open our ears to hear your voice. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit. Amen.

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So 1 Kings chapter 8 mentioned this.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Already, is that it's kind of a.

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It's actually almost word for word in.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

2 Chronicles, that prayer of King Solomon.

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Who blesses and says to the people, he instructs them.

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Okay, here, so rewind. What we have is the Ark of.

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The Covenant being brought into the temple.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For the first time here in first book of Kings. Couple things to note is that it's.

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Brought in the right way. I mentioned this when we.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

When we read this in two Chronicles, but it's so important.

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It was brought in the right way. It was brought in by the priests.

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And by the Levites. That's who went into the temple.

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No one else went into the temple.

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Also to be noted was the fact that it first Kings specifies, just like two Chronicles specified, that in the Ark.

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There was only one thing, only the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Two tables of stone that were given to Moses on Mount Horeb. Right. On Mount Sinai. It's two names for the same mountain. You probably know that already.

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Okay, why.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Why is that notable? Well, it's notable because originally there were.

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Three things in the Ark of the Covenant.

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There were not only the tables of stone. There was also the manna.

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Right.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The bread from heaven, and there was Aaron's staff. So that priestly staff. We don't know what happened to those other two objects. Yeah, it just. The Bible doesn't say what happened to them. It just says that they were there, and now it says that they're not there. Or at least it doesn't say that they're there still. But it does kind of say only thing in the Ark was the tables of stone. So that's important for us just in the sense of. To keep in mind what we're looking at, what we're dealing with. Because the most important thing. Well, gosh, how do I say most important thing? A very important thing as well is the fact that as they brought the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Ark of the Presence. Right.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The Ark of the Covenant, into the. The holy place, the most holy place, the presence of God. The Shekinah glory cloud filled the temple.

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And the priests couldn't even do their normal work.

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They were actually prevented from worshiping because God's presence was so. Or momentarily prevented, at least because God's.

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Presence was so palpable.

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God's presence was so overpowering.

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And that's one of the things we.

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Have to just even understand is that God's presence. Yeah, it can be like Elijah can be that. That still soft, quiet voice of God. But also God's presence is also power.

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That it is often Overwhelming.

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So much so that when people have.

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An encounter with God in the Bible.

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A lot of times when there's an angel, the angel has to say, be not afraid.

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Why?

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Because our natural response would be to be afraid. And that is completely normal. And that's what happens here in the Shekinah glory cloud filling the temple. And then Solomon, of course, gives his teaching. He uses blessing and says, wherever you're at, come back to the temple. This is establishing Jerusalem as the center and establishing the Temple as the sole place of worship. As I mentioned in 2 Chronicles, that's.

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Where it's happening here in First Kings.

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When it comes to Ecclesiastes, there are so much wisdom here.

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Remember, this is a wisdom book, Wisdom literature.

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It's not straightforward wisdom in the sense that every single thing you'd say, yeah, take that and run with it. It's the wise one, the preacher Koleth, whose working through some things. And what he's working through is he's working through, okay, I find happiness in this particular thing. I find happiness in toil, I find happiness in pleasure, I find happiness in wisdom.

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All these different things.

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And then realizing, oh, but then I still die, then I still lose, then I still am.

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Things are taken away from me.

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And there's something so powerful about watching Koaleth, or hearing Koaleth wrestle with this reality. And yet again, it is a wisdom book. For example, I heard in chapter four, the value of friendship, which is so, so good. Two are better than one because they.

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Have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone.

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When he falls and has not another to lift him up. Gosh, so powerful, so necessary for us to remember. If they fall, one will lift up his fellow.

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But woe to him who is alone.

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When he falls and has not another to lift him up again goes on.

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A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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I just think about how this is real in our lives, right? To have a true friend, to have a Jonathan to your David, or David to your Jonathan, to have that person who can walk with you, but also not just one other.

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A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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It goes on to say, right before.

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This, it says, and though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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So to have that one dear friend.

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To have that one powerful friend, that.

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One friend united in pursuing the Lord, but have two, my gosh would be incredible. Incredible. And one kind of basically Last quote. There is, in chapter five, there's a line that says in our translation, the Revised Standard Version translation says, for when.

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Dreams increase, empty words grow many, but.

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You must fear God. So another way to translate that is in the Great Adventure Bible, it shows a different translation which is for me, more understandable. And it says this, for in a multitude of dreams, there is futility and.

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Ruin in a flood of words.

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It goes on to talk about a multitude of dreams. There is futility and, and ruin in a flood of words which comes immediately after making rash vows or the warning against making rash vows. So it says, let not your mouth lead you into sin and do not.

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Say before the messenger that it was mistake. Why should God be angry at your.

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Voice and destroy the work of your hands? Like basically saying, I'm going to do.

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All these things when you don't have any intention.

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There's just things you would like to.

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Do, things that are your dreams, things that are wishes.

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And here's the Wise One saying, be careful about all these things. Instead of having dreams, maybe have plans. Instead of having rash words, maybe think about your words ahead of time.

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Last little note.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Oh, gosh, there's something so again, powerful about all of this wisdom.

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One of the last pieces of wisdom.

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That we heard in the Bible today, from chapter five of Ecclesiastes is he who loves money, chapter five, verse ten.

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He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with gain.

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This also is vanity.

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When goods increase, they increase wheat them. And it's just so.

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Isn't that reality? I know a number of people who.

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I know of them. I guess I don't know them personally. I know a number of people who.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Their yearly salary is insane. It's just off the charts crazy. And they work crazy hours, like insane hours, where they don't see their spouses.

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Where they don't see their children.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Not much of a life outside of work. And I think, wow, after two years of that, after four years of that, you could retire and you could live really, really well, or you could even.

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Just back off, take your foot off the pedal a little bit.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And yet it seems like, no, I need more.

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I need more. I need more now.

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Might be I need to make more of a contribution. It might be if I make more.

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I can give more.

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There's all those motivations. So I don't know the motivation. So I'm not judging this.

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But part of me sees the wisdom.

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Of Ecclesiastes here where it says, he who loves money will not be Satisfied with money. Because when goods increase, they increase.

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You eat them.

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Just, okay, I got more.

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Okay, I want more.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And sometimes that can be us. Now, that might be easy to say about someone else, right, who makes gajillion dollars and say, look at those people over there who do this.

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But where is that? Does that exist in my life?

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Is the question we always have to come back to where it might not.

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Be money, it might be something else.

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But where is it in my life where I'm looking at myself and thinking, oh, when I get more, I just want more.

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More of that.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

When I get what would be enough, it's not enough. I constantly am pursuing more and more and more. See, the thing is, when it comes to Ecclesiastes, when it comes to any of the wisdom literature, when it comes to the Bible, I can easily see.

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The problems other people have. Why don't those people just with those jobs just take a break?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Why can't they just back off?

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Why can't they just spend more time with their family?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And I don't see it in myself yet it exists in myself. And so what I have to do is say, okay, God, reveal me to me.

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Reveal the brokenness that I see in other people. Where does that exist in me?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Because I'm the only one who has control over me or the way around too, that the only person I have influence over, really, truly, ultimately is myself. And so I surrender myself to you, Lord God, and say, make me whole.

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Again, make me new again, forgive me.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And set me on the right track. I can do that, but I need.

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Help and I need prayers and I need grace.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And so please pray for me, because.

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I'm praying for you. Let's pray for each other.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

My name is Father Mike.

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I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.