COMMENTARY

Old Testament: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
At the dedication of the temple Solomon prays that Yahweh will hear the prayers of foreigners. Hearing of the glory of God and the splendor of Solomon's temple, non-Jews come from distant places such as the Queen of Sheba from Ethiopia and Naaman from Syria to pray in the temple at Jerusalem. The temple made provision for Gentiles to worship in a court of nations located in the outer precincts of the temple. Solomon prays that Yahweh will hear the prayers of foreigners who come to the temple. This harmonizes with Jesus' claim that the temple is a house of prayer for all peoples. Since Yahweh loves all humanity, it is proper that the temple should be open to all nations.

Epistle: Galatians 1:1-12
Paul is astonished that the Galatians have …