Fr. Mike Schmitz

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 to say most important thing a very important thing as well is the fact that as they brought the ark of the presence right the ark of the covenant into the holy place the most holy place the presence of god the shekinah glory cloud filled the temple And the priests couldn't even do their normal work.

the most important thing well gosh how to say most important thing a very important thing as well is the fact that as they brought the ark of the presence right the ark of the covenant into the holy place the most holy place the presence of god the shekinah glory cloud filled the temple And the priests couldn't even do their normal work.

the most important thing well gosh how to say most important thing a very important thing as well is the fact that as they brought the ark of the presence right the ark of the covenant into the holy place the most holy place the presence of god the shekinah glory cloud filled the temple And the priests couldn't even do their normal work.

They were actually prevented from worshiping because God's presence was so momentarily presented, at least because God's presence was so palpable. God's presence was so overpowering. And that's one of the things we 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.

They were actually prevented from worshiping because God's presence was so momentarily presented, at least because God's presence was so palpable. God's presence was so overpowering. And that's one of the things we 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.

They were actually prevented from worshiping because God's presence was so momentarily presented, at least because God's presence was so palpable. God's presence was so overpowering. And that's one of the things we 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 that it is often overwhelming so much so that when people have an encounter with God in the Bible, a lot of times when there's an angel, the angel has to say, be not afraid. Why? 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.

But also God's presence is also power that it is often overwhelming so much so that when people have an encounter with God in the Bible, a lot of times when there's an angel, the angel has to say, be not afraid. Why? 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.

But also God's presence is also power that it is often overwhelming so much so that when people have an encounter with God in the Bible, a lot of times when there's an angel, the angel has to say, be not afraid. Why? 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 second Chronicles, that's where it's happening here in first Kings. When it comes to Ecclesiastes, there are so many, so much wisdom here.

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 second Chronicles, that's where it's happening here in first Kings. When it comes to Ecclesiastes, there are so many, so much wisdom here.

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 second Chronicles, that's where it's happening here in first Kings. When it comes to Ecclesiastes, there are so many, so much wisdom here.

Remember, this is a wisdom book, wisdom literature. 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, right? Who's 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.

Remember, this is a wisdom book, wisdom literature. 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, right? Who's 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.

Remember, this is a wisdom book, wisdom literature. 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, right? Who's 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, all these different things. And then realizing, oh, but then I still die. Then I still lose. Then I still, things are taken away from me. And there's something so powerful about watching Koalath or hearing Koalath wrestle with this reality. And yet again, it is a wisdom book. For example, I heard in chapter four, the value of friendship was just so, so good.

I find happiness in wisdom, all these different things. And then realizing, oh, but then I still die. Then I still lose. Then I still, things are taken away from me. And there's something so powerful about watching Koalath or hearing Koalath wrestle with this reality. And yet again, it is a wisdom book. For example, I heard in chapter four, the value of friendship was just so, so good.

I find happiness in wisdom, all these different things. And then realizing, oh, but then I still die. Then I still lose. Then I still, things are taken away from me. And there's something so powerful about watching Koalath or hearing Koalath wrestle with this reality. And yet again, it is a wisdom book. For example, I heard in chapter four, the value of friendship was just so, so good.

Two are better than one because they 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 to lift him up. Gosh, so powerful. So necessary for us to remember. If they fall, one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.