Scripture: I Kings 10 & 11, II Chronicles 9, Romans 6
"23 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.24 The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart." I Kings 10:23-24 (II Chronicles 9:22-23)
Observation: Solomon was a world-renowned king. These passages tell of the wealth he obtained from those who sought audience with him. He had so many horses and chariots that he had to have cities to contain them. He had so much gold that all of his household articles were made of it. He was so wealthy that silver was no longer precious in his kingdom. And how did he amass all of this treasure? People brought it to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart and mind.
Back in II Chronicles 1, Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge to rule the people, God's people. God honored him for such a noble request by not only granting it, but by blessing him with riches no one had seen previously and the likes of which have not been seen since. Solomon literally had it all, until he turned away from the wisdom he had been given.
David admonished Solomon to follow the Lord's commands. The Lord promised that if Solomon would follow his law and commands, David's line, through Solomon and his descendents, would reign forever. Solomon even prayed this in his dedication of the temple. He wrote in the beginning of Proverbs that the fear--awesome reverence, respect, obedience and literal fear--of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). So, how could one who was so wise forget the knowledge and wisdom he attained and fall out of God's grace?
Some might say it was trying to maintain a household of 700 wives and 300 concubines. I think that's pure insanity. I'll forgo the practical side of taking care of all of these women and their children (I know he was rich), let alone trying to fulfill one's marital duties with each significant other. Good grief. God obviously didn't intend for him to have multiple spouses (see Matthew 19). Seriously, Solomon failed to heed God's instruction.
God warned the Israelites not to intermarry with foreign women. Not because he's against interracial marriages...I'm pretty certain he's for it (I know I am). No, it's because he knew these other nations worshipped other gods, and they would draw the Israelites' hearts away from Him. And, guys, let's face it. Women who have a hold of our hearts can lead us many places.
Solomon's downfall didn't happen immediately, but over time. "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been." (I Kings 11:4) Solomon's demise came from not listening to God's admonition. It was putting beautiful women before God, putting someone else first in his heart before God.
Application: Solomon, the all-wise king, couldn't follow his own instructions. We should seek wisdom and understanding. James reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask of God who gives liberally (generously), without holding back. But fearing the Lord should be the top priority of our lives.
Jesus told us the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). The second greatest commandment is like the first, loving our neighbor as ourselves. However, allowing someone or something to come in between us and God will be our downfall.
I need to make sure that my relationships with others, my dreams and ambitions, do not turn my heart and mind away from God. If they do, it doesn't matter how much wisdom and knowledge I seek and ask for.
Prayer: God help me to keep your commandments. In doing so, I will show my love for you. Help me to ask that your will be done in my life, and help me to focus on it, rather than my own will. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment