The Fire of God 

Ko e Afi ‘a e ‘Otua

1 KINGS 18:24

[ELJAH SAID], "YOU CALL UPON THE NAME OF YOUR GOD, AND I WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND THE GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE, HE IS GOD." AND ALL THE PEOPLE ANSWERED. "IT IS WELL SPOKEN."

1 TU’I 18:24

Pea mou tautapa ki he huafa ‘o homou ‘otua, pea te u tautapa ‘e au ki he huafa ‘o Sihova: pea ko e ‘Otua ‘oku tali ‘aki ‘a e afi ko e ‘Otua pē ia.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Ko e tali ‘esi (afi) mai ‘a Peali, ‘e tatau pe ia mo e tali vai mai ‘a Posaitoni. Ko e ‘otua ‘o e langi, ‘e me’a noa pe ha’ane fakapaa ‘uhila hifo ‘a e afi - ko e va’inga pe ia ki ai. Ka na’e ‘ikai! Neongo ‘a e hiki ‘a e le’o ‘o e kau tau’eiki, mo ‘enau ta’alo mo hifihifi honau sino, ka na’e ‘ikai pe tali mei langi. Ka ‘i he hoko mai kia ‘Ilaisiaa, na’e to ha ‘esi mei langi ‘o ne keina kotoa ‘a e feilaulau mo e me’a kotoa na’e ‘i ai ‘o a’u ki he vai na’e lilingii. Ko e ‘esi ko eni, na’a ne tutu ke ‘osi’osi ha toe tala’a fekau’aki moe loi ‘a Peali kae mo’oni taha pe ‘a Sihova ko e ‘Otua..

KOe’uhi ko e mafai ‘o e afi ke faka’auha, ka fakahaohaoa, ka fakamaama, ke fakamafana, ko e taha eni ‘o e ngaahi fakataataa mahu’inga fekau’aki mo e ngaue kehekehe ‘a e Laumalie. Ko e afi ‘o e Laumalie ‘oku ne tutu ‘a e ‘aitoli, faka’auha ‘a e ‘uli ‘i he mo’ui, fakamaama ‘a ‘etau nofo munoa mo fakamafana ‘a e momoko hotau laumalie. ‘I he taimi ‘o to ai ‘a e afi ‘a e ‘Otua ‘i he’etau mo’ui, ‘oku tau lavea mo ongo’i - ka ko e mamahi ko ia, ko e matapaa ia k he melino. "Pea ko eni, ka fai ha kinisi, tala‘ehai ‘oku tau ongo‘i leva ko e me‘a fakafiefia ia, kaekehe, ko e me‘a fakamamahi; ka ‘e faifai pea tupu ai kiate kinautolu kuo ‘osi ‘a ako ai, ha fua ‘oku hoa mo e melino, ko e koto mā‘oni‘oni” (Heb. 12:11).

‘E Laumalie Ma’oni’oni, Afi ‘a e ‘Otua, tutu kotoa ‘a e kovi ‘i he’emau mo’ui pea tafunaki ‘a e tui, ‘amanaki mo e ‘ofa ‘iate kimautolu.

For Baal to answer by esh ("fire") should have been like Poseidon answering by water. Since he was the sky god, casting down a lightning-like fire from heaven should have been child's play. But no matter how much the priests turned up the volume, raved, and gashed themselves, the heavens remained as cold as ice. But when Elijah's turn came, esh fell so violently that it decimated sacrifices, wood, stone, and dust. Its tongues of fire even licked up the water. This esh burned up any doubt that Baal was a delusion and Yahweh alone was God.

Since fire destroys, refines, enlightens, and warms, it is the ideal image for the Spirit's variety of works. The fiery Spirit of God incinerates idolatry, purges immoral dross from us, illumines our benighted lives, and thaws our icy hearts. When the Lord's fire falls on us, it hurts - but that pain is the portal to peace. "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb. 12:11).

O Holy Spirit, Fire of the Father, burn all evil from our lives and kindle faith, hope, and love within us.

 

The Sidonian Widow

Ko e Uitou Saitoni

1 KINGS 17:8-9

THEN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO [ELIJAH), "ARISE, GO TO ZAREPHATH, WHICH BELONGS TO SIDON, AND DWELL THERE. BEHOLD, I HAVE COMMANDED A WIDOW THERE TO FEED YOU."

1 TU‘I 17:8-9

8 Pea ‘iloange na‘e hoko ‘a e folofola ‘a e ‘Eiki kiate ia, ‘o pehē, 9 Tu‘u, ‘o ‘alu ki Salepita, ‘a ia ‘oku kau ki Saitoni, pea ke nofo ai: vakai, kuo u tu‘utu‘uni ai ha fefine uitou ke tauhi koe.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

‘I he kuonga mu’a ‘o ‘Isileli, ko ha alamana (uitou) kuo fakamavae ‘e he mate mei hono husepaniti, na’e mavae foki mei he malu’i mo e koloa na’a ne ma’u mei hono husepaniti. Na’e tu’u lavea ngofua ‘a e uitou ki he ngaahi fakamamahi, fiekaia mo e ha’aha’a kehekehe ‘i he sosaieti. Ko e ‘uhinga ia na’e tu’utu’uni ai ‘e he ‘Otua, “‘Ilonga ha uitou (alamana), pe fānau tamai mate, ‘e ‘ikai te mou fakamamahi‘i kinautolu” (‘Ekisoto 22:22). Na’e ‘ikai honge uitou ‘a ‘Isileli ‘i he taimi ‘o ‘Ilaisiaa, ka na’e fekau’i ‘e he ‘Otua ‘a e palofita ke ‘alu ki Salepita, ki ha uitou Senitaile. Ko e tokotaha eni mo e feitu’u ‘e fakafou mai ai ha ngaue mana, ‘i hono fafanga ‘e he ‘Otua ‘o ‘Isileli ‘a e uitou mo hono famili pea mo ‘Ilaisiaa foki. Kuo situ’a mo’oni ‘a ‘Isileli mei he ‘Otua mo ‘ene folofolaa, na’a ne hanga ai ‘o teke’i ‘a e palofitaa kitu’a mei he loto’aa ‘o ‘Isileli, ke ne fakahaa’i ‘ene meesi ki ha uitou ‘i he mamani ‘o e kau Senitaile. 

‘I he malanga na’e lili ai ‘a e kau Siu ke tuli tamate’i ai ‘a Sisu, na’a ne lave ai ki he talanoa ko eni ‘o e uitou, pea to mei ai ‘a e folofola “‘oku ‘ikai mamalu ha palōfita ‘i hono fonua ‘o‘ona” (Luke 4:24). Taimi lahi, ko kinautolu ‘oku ofi taha ki he Folofolaa, ‘oku nau fakasikaka’i - ta’e tali, ‘ikai tokangaekina ko e pehee, ko ‘enau me’a. Pea hanga leva ‘e he ‘Otua ‘o fao ‘ene ngaue kitu’a atu - ki he kau “Salepita” ‘o mamani - ki he fa’ahinga ‘oku nau ‘ilo’i ‘a e mamahi ‘o e mole ‘a e koloa mo nofo tailiili ‘ikai ha ‘amanaki, pea ‘oku nau tu’u ‘ataa mo loto leva ke fanongo mo tui. 

‘E ‘Otua, fakavaivai’i homau loto, ke mau mahu’inga’ia ‘i ho ‘Alo pea ke mau falala kakato kiate Ia, he ‘oku ‘iate IA ‘a e ngaahi lea ‘o e mo’ui ta’engata. 

In ancient Israel, an almanah ("widow") buried more than her husband; blanketed by that graveyard dirt was her provision and protection. She and her family were especially vulnerable to abuse, hunger, and injustice. For good reason, God ordained that "you shall not mistreat any almanah or fatherless child" (Exod. 22:22). There was no lack of widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, but God sent the prophet to Zarephath, to a Gentile widow, where she, her family, and Elijah were all miraculously fed by the Lord of

Israel. Israel had so grossly despised God and his Word that the Lord pushed the prophet outside her borders, extending his mercy to a widow in the Gentile world.

In a sermon that nearly got him killed, Jesus referenced this incident to illustrate the maxim that "No prophet is acceptable in his hometown" (Luke 4:24). Often those closest to the Word despise it most - take it for granted, ignore it, treat it like an entitlement. So God pushes it outside the borders, to the "Zarephaths" of the world, where those who know the widow-like pain of loss and vulnerability eagerly hear and believe it.

Soften our hearts, O Lord, to treasure and trust in your Son, who has the words of eternal life.

 Dry Hand, Hard Face

Nima mate - Fofonga Fakamaau

1 KINGS 13:6

AND THE KING SAID TO THE MAN OF GOD, "ENTREAT NOW THE FAVOR OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND PRAY FOR ME. THAT MY HAND MAY BE RESTORED TO ME." AND THE MAN OF GOD ENTREATED THE LORD, AND THE KING'S HAND WAS RESTORED TO HIM AND BECAME AS IT WAS BEFORE.

1 TU‘I 13:6

Pea tali ‘a e tu‘i, ‘o ne folofola ki he tangata ‘o ‘Elohimi, Fakamokomoko mu‘a ki he finangalo ‘o Sihova ko ho ‘Otua, pea hufekina au ke mo‘ui mai hoku nima. Pea fai ‘e he tangata ‘o ‘Elohimi ke fakamokomoko ‘a e finangalo ‘o Sihova; pea na‘e mo‘ui mai ‘a e nima ‘o e tu‘i ‘o hangē ko e ‘anenai.

Hange pe ko hono fakamātu‘u (‘iavesi) ‘e he ‘Otua ‘a e Tahi Kulokula mo e Vai Soatani (Siosiua 4:23), na’e pehee foki ‘a hono fakamātu‘u (‘iavesi) - (talatuki‘i ke mate) ‘a e nima ‘o Selopoame  ko hono tautea (1 Tu‘i 13:4). ‘I he vakai ‘e he tu’i kuo mate ‘a hono nimaa, na’a ne kole ki he palofita ke kole ki he ‘Otua ke “Fakamokomoko mu‘a [hono] finangalo”. Ko e fo’i vape ko e chalah ‘oku fa’a ngaue’aki ‘i he fakalea ko e, sailaa panimi (fakamoluu ho fofonga), ke fakamokomoko. ‘Io, hange ko e “fakamokomoko” ‘a e finangalo ‘o e ‘Otua ‘i he hili ‘o e lotu kafi koula ‘a e kakai (‘Ekisoto 32:11), kuo kole ‘e Selopoame lotu-’aitoli ki he palofita ke saila panini ma’ana. Pea na’e fakamo’ui ‘a e nima ‘o Selopoame - ka ‘oku tala ‘e he hisitolia, na’e kei mate pe hono loto ‘o’ona hangee ko e mate ‘a hono nimaa.

‘I he taimi ‘oku tau tangi ai ki he finangalo ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘oku tau sio ki he fofonga ‘o Ia na’e kalusefai, he ‘oku mokomoko pea fonu ‘i he meesi, pea moluu ‘i he kelesi, he ‘oku fofonga mai ‘a Kalaisi kiate kitautolu, ko ‘ene pele na’a ne huhu’i. ‘Iate Ia, ‘oku kakato ai ‘a e fakafiemalie ‘a e Tamai ‘o ta’engata - ‘o ‘ikai ngata pe ‘i hono fakamo’ui hotau nimaa, ka ‘oku ne fakalelei hotau vaa mo Iaa. 

Ko ‘eku kole ke ke ‘ofa mai na‘e fai‘aki hoku loto kotoa; Meesi kiate au, ‘o taau mo ho‘o tala‘ofa (Saame 119:58).

 Unwise Counsel

Alea Ta’efakapotopoto

1 KINGS 12:28-29

SO [JEROBOAM] TOOK COUNSEL AND MADE TWO CALVES OF GOLD. AND HE SAID TO THE PEOPLE, "YOU HAVE GONE UP TO JERUSALEM LONG ENOUGH. BEHOLD YOUR GODS, O ISRAEL, WHO BROUGHT YOU UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT." AND HE SET ONE IN BETHEL, AND THE OTHER HE PUT IN DAN.

1 TU‘I 12:28-29

28 Ko ia na‘a nau alea, pea ngaohi ‘e he tu‘i ha ongo kafi koula; ‘o ne pehē ki he kakai, Koe‘uma‘ā fau ho‘omou ‘alu ki Selusalema; ko homou ‘Otua ē, ‘e ‘Isileli, ‘a ia ne na ‘ohake kimoutolu mei ‘Isipite. 29 Pea ne fokotu‘u ‘a e taha ‘i Pēteli, pea ko e taha na‘a ne tuku ‘i Tani.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Ko e ongo fo’i fehalaaki lalahi ‘e ua ‘a Selopoame na’e iku ai ki he ‘auha ‘a e Pule’anga ki he Noate. ‘Uluaki, na’a ne fai pe ki he lau ‘a “Hono loto”, he ka ‘ikai te ne fai ha liliu, ‘e foki ‘a e kakai pea te nau tamate’i ia (12:26-27). Ua, na’a ne ‘iatesi (alea - ma’u fale’i) mei ha kau tangata te nau tali ‘io ma’u pe (poupou) ki he ngaahi taumu’a kovi ‘oku ne palani. Ko e alea mo e fale’i mei loto mo tu’a na’a ne fakahoko, na’e iku ki hono ngaohi ‘o ha ongo kafi koula, ko e tatau ‘o e kafi koula ‘i Sainai. Na’e fokotu’u ‘a e taha ‘i he Noate, ‘i Tani pea ko e taha ‘i he Sautee, ‘i Peteli, ko e ongo kolo ‘i hono pule’anga. Na’a ne toe liliu foki mo e tu’utu’uni ki he ngaue ‘a e kau taula’eiki mo e taimi ‘o e ngaahi katoanga. Neongo na’e toki ha’ulu ‘a e Pule’anga ‘i he hili ha ta’u ‘e 200 (722 K.M.), ka kuo sila’i ‘e Selopoame mo ‘ene kau fai fale’i ‘a e tohi mate ‘o ‘Isileli.

Na’e ‘ikai ha va tatau ‘o e taki siokita mo lotu-’aitoli ko eni, pea mo e Hako ‘o Tevita, ka ko e ‘Eiki na’e ui ko Pele ‘Iotesi - “Fakaofo ‘ene fale’i” (‘Aisea 9:6). ‘I hono loto, ‘oku pule pea fungani ai ‘a e folofola ‘o ‘ene Tamai. Pea ‘oku ne foaki mai ‘a e Laumalie Ma’oni’oni, ke hoko ko hotau taukapo ke ne fale’i fakapotopoto hotau ngaahi loto ke hu ki he ‘Otua mo’oni pe ‘e tahaa, ‘a ia na’a ne ‘ohake kitautolu mei he mate ki he mo’ui.

Te u fakafeta‘i kia Sihova ‘a ia kuo ne fale‘i kita: Seuke, ‘i he ngaahi pō ‘oku ako mai hoku ngaahi kofuua (Saame 16:7).

King Jeroboam made two gross mistakes that spelled doom for the northern tribes. First, he listened to his heart. He said "in his heart" that, unless he initiated major worship alterations, his people would desert and kill him (12:26-27). Second, he ya'atz ("took counsel") with yes-men who only affirmed his wicked intentions. His internal and external counsels led to two replicas of the infamous golden calf at Sinai being erected in the northern (Dan) and southern (Bethel) cities of his kingdom, along with changes to

the priesthood and festival calendar. Though the nation's funeral wouldn't happen for two hundred more years (722 BC), Jeroboam and his counselors had already signed Israel's death certificate.

Unlike this self-serving, idol-worshipping ruler, David's Son and Lord is called Pele Yo'etz, "Wonderful Counselor" (Isa. 9:6). In his heart the word of his Father reigns supreme. And to us he sends the Holy Spirit, who wisely counsels our hearts to worship the one true God who brought us up from the land of death into life again.

Blessed are you, O Lord, for you give us counsel and instruct us in the night

(Ps. 16:7).

 Heavy and Light Yokes

'Ioke Mamafa mo e ‘Ioke Ma’ama’a

1 KINGS 12:3-4

JEROBOAM AND ALL THE ASSEMBLY OF ISRAEL CAME AND SAID TO REHOBOAM, "YOUR FATHER [SOLOMON] MADE OUR YOKE HEAVY. NOW THEREFORE LIGHTEN THE HARD SERVICE OF YOUR FATHER AND HIS

HEAVY YOKE ON US, AND WE WILL SERVE YOU."

1 TU‘I 12:3-4

3 pea ōmai ‘a Selopoame mo e fakataha kotoa ‘o ‘Isileli, ‘o nau alea mo Lehopoame, ‘o pehē, 4 Na‘e fakafaingata‘a ‘e ho‘o ‘eiki homau ‘ioke, kae ‘ofa ke fakama‘ama‘a ‘e he ‘afiona ‘a e fatongia ‘a ho‘o ‘eiki, mo e ‘ioke mamafa na‘a ne ‘ai kiate kimautolu, pea te mau tauhi kiate koe.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Ko e mo’ui tu’umalie ‘a Solomone na’e ‘ikai ma’u mola. Na’e pehee foki mo e ngaahi polokalama langa na’a ne fakahoko. Na’e ‘ikai tupukoso ka na’e hilifaki kotoa ‘i he tu’a ‘o e kakai. Ko ia ai, na’e tala ‘e ‘Isileli ki hono fohaa ke fakama’ama’a ‘enau olo (‘ioke). Ko e olo, ko e konga papa ne hili ‘o kolosi he kia ‘o e pulu toho palauu pea ko e fakataataa eni ‘i he Tohitapu ki he mo’ui popula ‘a e tangata. Na’e haveki ‘e he ‘Otua ‘a e ‘ioke faka-popula ‘o ‘Isileli ‘i he nofo ‘Isipite (Levitiko 26:13). Na’e fakataataa’i ‘e Selemaia ‘a e teu fakapopula’i ‘o Siuta ‘i Papilone, ‘aki ‘ene ‘ai ha ‘ioke ‘i hono kia ‘o’ona (Selemaia (27:1-28:17). Na’e fakamatala ‘a e kau lapai ‘o ono’aho fekau’aki mo hono “hilifaki mai ‘a e ‘ioke ‘o e Pule’anga ‘o hevani” ‘i hono tauhi ‘a e ngaahi lao ‘a Mosese. 

Ko e Misaiaa, ko e tokotaha maumau-’ioke mo e fakama’ama’a-’ioke. Talamai ‘e ‘Aisea, te ne “laiki [‘a e kavenga ‘a ‘sileli] ke lailai (‘Aisea 9:4). Pea kiate kinautolu ‘oku mafasia ‘i he ha’amonga ‘o e mo’ui, ‘oku ne talamai, ke “‘Ai ‘eku ‘ioke kiate kimoutolu, pea mou ako ‘iate au: he ‘oku ou fa‘a kātaki mo anga fākatu‘a, pea te mou ‘ilo ha mālōlō ‘i homou laumālie” (Matiu 11:28-30). Ko ‘ete ‘ai ‘a e ‘ioke ‘a Sisu, ko ‘ete tauhi ia kiate Ia ‘i he tau’ataina; ‘i he tau’ataina ke malolo; pea malolo ke ma’u ai ‘a e nonga ‘i he malumalu ‘o e Tu’i mohu meesi.

‘Ai kiate kimautolu, ‘Eiki Sisu, ‘a ho’o kavenga ‘oku ma’ama’a mo fakatau’ataina, ke mau tauhi kiate koe ‘aki ‘a e loto nekeneka.

Solomon's lavish lifestyle didn't pay for itself, nor did his massive building projects build themselves. Your average Joe did. So Israel demanded that his son lighten their heavy ol ("yoke"). An ol, a wooden crosspiece on the neck of oxen for pulling or plowing, is a common biblical metaphor for human bondage or hard labor. God broke Israel's yoke of slavery in Egypt (Lev. 26:13). Jeremiah acted out Judah's coming thralldom to Babylon by wearing a yoke (27:1-28:17). Early rabbis spoke of taking on "the yoke of the kingdom of heaven" by living according to the laws of the Torah.

The Messiah is a yoke-breaker and yoke-lightener. Isaiah says he will break "the yoke of [Israel's] burden" (9:4). To those who labor and are heavy laden, he says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30). To wear the yoke of Jesus is to serve in freedom; in freedom to rest; and in rest to find peace under this gracious King.

Place on us, Lord Jesus, your light yoke of freedom that we may joyfully serve you.

 Tearing Clothes and Kingdoms

Hae ‘a e vala mo e Pule’anga

1 KINGS 11:11

THE LORD SAID TO SOLOMON, "SINCE THIS HAS BEEN YOUR PRACTICE AND YOU HAVE NOT KEPT MY COVENANT AND MY STATUTES THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU, I WILL SURELY TEAR THE KINGDOM FROM YOU AND WILL GIVE IT TO YOUR SERVANT."

1 TU‘I 11:11

Pea folofola ‘a Sihova kia Solomone, Ko e me‘a ‘i ho‘o pehē, mo e ‘ikai te ke tauhi ‘eku kovinānite mo e ngaahi fekau kuo u tu‘utu‘uni atu, te u mātu‘aki hae ‘a e pule‘anga meiate koe, ‘o ‘atu ki ho‘o tamaio‘eiki.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Ko e hisitolia ‘o ‘Isileli, ko e “fasi tatau ai pe, kae veesi kehe” - ‘ikai ha me’a fo’ou. Kimu’a ‘i he taimi ‘o Solomone, na’e fai ‘e he palofita ‘a e lea ko eni kia Saula, “Kuo kalala [hae] ‘e Sihova ‘a e pule‘anga ‘o ‘Isileli meiate koe he ‘aho ni, pea kuo ne foaki ki hao kaungā‘api” (1 Sam. 15:28). Pea ko eni kuo fanongo ‘a Solomone ki he veesi hono ua ‘o e fo’i hivaa: koe’uhi ko e hake ‘uta ‘a Saione ‘i he lotu ‘aitoli, kuo “kalala” (hae) ‘e he ‘Otua ‘a e Pule’anga meiate ia. ‘Ikai ko ia pe, ka ‘oku malie ‘a hono ngaue’aki ‘a e veape ko eni, kalala, he ‘oku lahi taha hono ngaue’aki, ki he “hae ‘o e vala” ‘i he taimi ‘o e fakamamahi. Ko e tangata poto taha ‘o ‘Isileli, kuo holo ‘o hange ha me’a noa mo e vale. ‘I he hili ‘a e pekia ‘a e tu’i, na’e hopo hake ‘a hono foha ‘afungi, ‘o ne hae ua ‘a e Pule’anga - pea ko e mavaeua na’e ‘ikai toe lava ke fakalelei’i.

Na’e lotu ‘a ‘Aisea, “TAUMAIĀ ke ke hae [kalala] ua ‘a e ngaahi langi, ke ke hā‘ele hifo” (‘Aisea 64:1). Pea na’e hoko eni ‘o fou ‘i hono ‘Alo na’e pani, ‘a ia na’e hifo mei langi ‘i he tatau ‘o e tangata; ke ne hae ua ‘a e tatau ‘o e temipale; ke fokotu’u ha pule’anga ta’engata, ke hau ai ‘a Poto, he ko Ia ‘a e Tu’i ‘o e ngaahi Tu’i.

‘Eiki Sisu, tokoni mai ke hae homau loto, ‘o ‘ikai ko homau valaa, ka mau tafoki kiate koe, ko homau Tu’i fonu ‘alo’ofa.

Much of Israel's history is a "same song, second verse" kind of narrative. Two kings before Solomon was Saul, to whom the prophet said, "The LORD has qara ['torn'] the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours" (1 Sam. 15:28). Now Solomon hears "the second verse" of this song: because he has glutted Zion with idols, God will "qara the kingdom" from him. And there's more. Because this verb, qara, is used predominantly to describe "tearing one's clothes" in grief, the whole sad scene with Solomon is full of melancholy. This wisest of men has shrunk into a gross and ungodly fool. After his death, his arrogant and hot-headed son would rip Israel in two - a breach that never would heal.

Isaiah prays, "Oh that you would rend [qara] the heavens and come down!" (64:1). So he does in his anointed Son, who came down from heaven to become one of us; to tear in two the temple veil; and to establish an unbreakable kingdom over which he, Wisdom, reigns as King of kings.

Lord Jesus, grant that we rend our hearts, not our garments, as we return to you, our merciful King.

 The Abomination of Desolation

Ko e Me’a Fakalielia Faka’auha

1 KINGS 11:5-7

SOLOMON WENT AFTER ASHTORETH THE GODDESS OF THE SIDONIANS, AND AFTER MILCOM THE ABOMINATION OF THE AMMONITES. SO SOLOMON DID WHAT WAS EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD AND DID NOT WHOLLY FOLLOW THE LORD, AS DAVID HIS FATHER HAD DONE. THEN SOLOMON BUILT A HIGH PLACE FOR CHEMOSH THE ABOMINATION OF MOAB, AND FOR MOLECH THE ABOMINATION OF THE AMMONITES, ON THE MOUNTAIN EAST OF JERUSALEM.

1 Tu‘i 11:5-7

5 He na‘e muimui ‘a Solomone kia ‘Asiteloti ko e ‘otua ‘o e kau Saitoni, pea kia Milikomi ko e ‘otua fakalielia ‘o ‘Āmoni. 6 Pea fai ‘e Solomone ‘a e me‘a na‘e tau kovi ki he finangalo ‘o Sihova, ‘o ‘ikai te ne molomolomuiva‘e ki he ‘Eiki, ‘o hangē ko Tēvita ko ‘ene tamai. 7 Toki ngaohi ‘e Solomone ha ‘esi mo‘o Kīmosi ko e ‘otua fakalielia ‘o Moape ‘i he mo‘unga ‘oku hanga mai ki Selusalema, pea kia Moloke ko e ‘otua fakalielia ‘o ‘Āmoni.

Lau senituli kimu’a ‘ia Solomone, na’e fakatokanga ‘a e ‘Otua ki ‘isileli telia na’a nau ponou ki ha sikuisimi [ngaahi fakalielia]; ‘aitoli ‘akau, maka, siliva pe koula (Teutalonome 29:17). Na’e puli ai pe ‘a e fo’i lea ni ‘o toki ‘asi ‘ia 1 Tu’i 11 ‘i he taimi na’e tu’ulu ai ‘a Solomone ki  he lotu ‘aitoli. Milikome ko e sikuisimi? ‘Io. Semose ko e sikuisimi? ‘Io. ‘A’u kia Moleki, ‘i he feilaulau tutu ‘o e longa’i fanau? Ko e ngaahi fakalielia ko eni, ‘oku hange ha huhu’a kona ‘oku tafe ki he kelekele tapu ‘o Siuta pea ne fakakonahi kotoa ‘a e fonua. Na’e toki kikite ‘a Taniela fekaua’aki mo e “fakalielia ‘oku fakalala” (Taniela 11:31), te ne faka’uli’i ‘a e ‘olita toputapu ‘aki ‘a e feilaulau ‘aitoli. 

‘Oku fakamatala ‘a Sisu ki he "me’a fakalielia ‘o e faka’auha", ko e faka’ilonga ‘o e taimi ke hola ai ‘a hono kau muimui mei Siutea ki he ngaahi mo’unga (Matiu 24:15). ‘Oku talamai ‘e Paula, ke “hola mei he tauhi ‘aitoli” (1 Kolinito 10:14). Faka’ikai’i pea teke’i ‘a e sikuisimi kotoa pe kae punou ki he ‘OTUA mo’oni pe taha - ko e Tamai, ‘Alo, mo e Laumalie Ma’oni’oni, ko e Fakatupu ‘o langi mo mamani - ‘a Ia tokotaha pe ‘oku ne mafeia ke fakamo’ui kitautolu. 

Fakahaofi kimautolu, ‘e Tamai Faka-hevani, mei he ‘aitoli fakalielia kotoa pe, te nau fakatafoki homau loto meiate koe.

Centuries before Solomon, God had warned Israel to beware lest any of them bow down before the shiqqutzim ['abominations'], their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold" (Deut. 29:17). The word doesn't occur again until 1 Kings 11, when Solomon went whole hog into idolatry. Milcom the shiqqutz ("abomination")? Yes. Chemosh the shiqqutz? Yes. Even Molech, worshiped through child sacrifice? Sadly, yes. Abominations, like hazardous waste, seeped into the sacred soil of Judah, polluting the land. Later, Daniel prophesied the "abomination that makes desolation" (11:31), where the sacred altar would be profaned by an idolatrous sacrifice.

Jesus referenced this "abomination of desolation" as the time when his followers should flee from Judea into the mountains (Matt. 24:15). Paul says, "Flee from idolatry" (1 Cor. 10:14). Reject and repel every form of shiqqutz. bowing down before the one true God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Creator of heaven and earth-who alone can save us.

Rescue us, heavenly Father, from every abominable idol that would turn our hearts from you.