Day 166: Bearing Fruit even in the Off Season

Mark 11:1-14; 1 Kings 1; Hosea 4:11-5:3

I have always thought the fig tree thing was weird. Even though it wasn't the season for figs, Jesus still expected fruit. Part of what I think this might mean is that when Christ comes (on that unexpected day) he will expect our lives to be bearing fruit. If they are, we will be rewarded, and if they aren't, that's it. That final day will be the day when Christ comes to judge all people, and those that lived their lives for the kingdom of God will get to spend eternity with The Lord; those that have lived their lives for themselves or their own dreams will spend eternity separated from God. I think, that is the point of that story.

A whole lot of trouble is caused in this first chapter of Kings, mostly because David did not want to hurt his son's feelings. His son, Adonijah, was preparing to become king, but because David was a cowardly parent, he didn't say anything. So then a big fiasco happens, it is eventually fixed by the wisdom of the prophets, but not without some stress and fear by many. David, even in his old age had flaws that he still struggled with. Perhaps because I do not have children, it is hard for me to understand this story completely. However, Solomon becomes king and his first act as king is an act of mercy, not to kill his brother who tried to beat him to the throne. Hopefully such an act will bode well for Solomon.

So often we think that our generation is the worst to come along--so much idolatry, prostitution, debauchery, sin--but really, we are no worse than Hosea's time. The picture painted in this chapter is very revealing of the kind of culture it was. They were not a firmly grounded group of followers of The Lord. Israel was unfaithful and corrupted by sin. However, God promises that he will still accept them back if they turn to him. God's mercy is so extensive!