The Queen of Sheba Visits & The Apostles Refuse to Circumcise Gentiles | Day 173

What happens when compromise creeps into the center of our faith? Today on Day 173, we navigate a heartbreaking peak-and-valley transition in Israel's history alongside a crucial institutional battle for the purity of the gospel. In 1 Kings, Solomon reaches the absolute pinnacle of worldly wealth, wisdom, and international fame, epitomized by the visit of the Queen of Sheba. Yet, the narrative takes a tragic, dark turn. Solomon violates God's kingship laws, accumulating massive wealth, horses from Egypt, and hundreds of foreign wives who systematically turn his heart away from God, forcing a sovereign decree that his kingdom will be torn apart.In the book of Acts, a different kind of threat challenges the church. Legalistic teachers travel to Antioch, insisting that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. This sparks the famous Jerusalem Council. Rather than sliding into a religion of heavy human striving, Peter, Barnabas, and Paul stand up to defend pure grace, refusing to place a yoke on the neck of new disciples that neither they nor their ancestors could bear.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 9:10–11:13 – Solomon builds cities, commands a fleet of ships, and receives the Queen of Sheba, who is left breathless by his wisdom and the luxury of his palace. His annual revenue reaches an astounding 666 talents of gold. However, chapter 11 exposes his collapse: Solomon loves many foreign women—700 wives and 300 concubines—from nations God explicitly warned against. In his old age, his wives turn his heart after false gods like Ashtoreth and Molech. Furious at his betrayal, God declares that He will tear the kingdom away from Solomon's son, leaving only one tribe for the sake of David.📖 Acts 15:1–21 – Men from Judea arrive at Antioch, teaching: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." Paul and Barnabas vigorously oppose this, taking the debate to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. After sharp discussion, Peter reminds the council that God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles purely through faith. James agrees, citing the prophet Amos to prove God always intended to claim the nations, and concludes they should not trouble the Gentiles turning to God.📖 Psalm 77:1–9 – Asaph cries out to God in a season of intense, sleepless distress: "I cry aloud to God... in the day of my trouble I seek the Lord." He wonders if the Lord will cast him off forever, asking if God's steadfast love has ceased or if His compassion has been shut up in anger.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).