1 Kings 1-8, 10-11
2 Chronicles 5-7
Proverbs 1-3, 6, 20-21
Introduction to the Reading: When you get to announce to someone that you’ve received a promotion, they may likely ask you, “Are you getting a decent raise?... That’s good!” But you have to wonder why we always assume that having a raise is a good thing. It’s not bad to have a raise. Nor would any of us ask our employer to pay us less. But why is it pretty much always assumed that a raise is a good thing?
Today we learn about Solomon - arguably the wealthiest person ever. But what made him truly wealthy? What impact did earthly wealth have on him? Solomon is a fascinating case study in what happens when one person "has it all." Of course, just like when you see the billboards with the lottery jackpots along the freeway, you can't help but ask yourself, "What would I do if I were in his shoes?"
Time to Slow it Down - Middle of Page 183
Even today, some 3000 years later, it is still recognized that Solomon's greatest wealth - what truly made him wealthy beyond just physical riches - is that he was a man full of wisdom and knowledge.
There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge, though. You can be smart, as Solomon was about the animals and birds, reptiles and fish (p.179), and yet not have "street smarts." Then there is wisdom which has been defined as "Knowledge applied." Solomon had both, as it evident in his proverbs. They aren't just facts about the world, but how we are to live and interact with the world. Take a moment and pick three proverbs that you like the most. Then, more importantly, take a minute or two to discuss or think about how they apply to your life....
Now that you've reviewed some of the proverbs, I have one more question: what additional characteristic of his wisdom made it stand out from that of others? I'd say it was the source of his wisdom! He even acknowledges it, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." (p. 179). This wasn't just any knowledge, but knowledge applied - and knowledge from God. How do we get such knowledge? If you've been reading The Story with us, you've been looking right at it: God's word, of course! "For the LORD gives wisdom: from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (p. 179).
When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
"Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that..." 1 Kings 3:3
For a while everything went well. If anyone could be said to "have it all" it was Solomon. Not only that...but he used that wealth and prestige to bring glory to God. In one of his proverbs, Solomon wrote, "Honor the Lord with your wealth" (p. 180), and that is exactly what he did. The temple he built was an architectural wonder of the world. People came to see it just because it was so magnificent. While they visited, though, they got to hear for whom it was built. Some may wonder why put so much money into building a church. "It's just a building," they say, "Why not use that money instead to do evangelism." Fair enough, but sometimes people come to see the buildings, and in the process hear the story.
In addition, Solomon's wisdom brought attention to the Lord. Hiram, king of Lebanon, said, "Praise be to the LORD today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation" (p. 184). The queen of Sheba came to see for herself about what she had heard and said, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true...Praise be to the LORD your God!" (p. 190) What a wonderful example for us! When we are blessed...when we get a raise, promotion, an award, recognition...whenever we might consider taking praise...may we direct the praise where it is due. Jerusalem under Solomon's rule was truly a light on a hill: like a lighthouse guiding the way home, all who heard about what was happening there were guided to the Lord.
"Except that..."
And then we hear those words. You can't help but sigh and shake your head. "He had it all!" you feel like screaming. While outwardly things looked magnificent, inwardly Solomon's faith life was in shambles. The physical structures may have been sound, but his faith was on shaky ground. No longer was he, "Fearing, loving, and trusting in God above all things" as Luther explains the First Commandment. Jesus warned that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The problem is, who is a rich man? Am I rich with what I'm making now? How about next year, when I get a 3 percent raise at work? How about the year after that when I get a 5% raise? Or the year after that when I get a 2% raise? Maybe you've heard the illustration of the frog in the pot. If you drop a frog in hot water, it will hop right out. If you put a frog in cold water, and slowly warm the kettle...it will relax in there until it's boiled. We don't notice it, but when does a gift from God turn into a turning up the heat on the stove? When do we forget that this is all from God's hand, and start to trust in our wages and forget the giver? Can you name some other things in life that also "raise the temperature" so to speak? You see, I think the small changes - the small increases in wealth or prestige or fame - are almost more of a temptation because you don't notice them as much. There are more times along the line in which you're tempted to think, "Yeah, the work of my hand has done this." There are more chances for the blessings themselves to lure us away from the Lord. King Solomon's many wives led him to worship other gods - false gods. What has lured you away from the Lord this last week?
But as Solomon's father David learned, the Lord does not forsake us. He wants to have a relationship with us. He wants us to repent, to turn to him, and to trust in his love and forgiveness. We may not have a church as glorious as Solomon's temple, but when it comes down to it, God has chosen an even greater temple. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" God wants to live in you! He has washed you in his blood and made you a fitting home for his Holy Spirit. He doesn't want to be found hidden in a cloud, he wants to be revealed in you. When people see you, he wants them to learn about him. And when this world is destroyed, he wants to live with us forever. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne say, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' (Rev. 21:3-4)" Then we can truly say, "We've go it all!"
Prayer/Hymn:
One thing's needful; Lord, this treasure
Teach me highly to regard.
All else, though it first give pleasure,
Is a yoke that presses hard.
Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,
No true, lasting happiness ever deriving.
This one thing is needful; all others are vain -
I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain.
Wisdom's highest, noblest treasure,
Jesus, can be found in you.
Let me find in you my pleasure;
Make my will and actions true,
Humility there and simplicity reigning,
In paths of true wisdom my steps ever training.
If I learn from Jesus this knowledge divine,
The blessing of heavenly wisdom is mine.
For those who like more:
2 Chronicles 5-7
Proverbs 1-3, 6, 20-21
Introduction to the Reading: When you get to announce to someone that you’ve received a promotion, they may likely ask you, “Are you getting a decent raise?... That’s good!” But you have to wonder why we always assume that having a raise is a good thing. It’s not bad to have a raise. Nor would any of us ask our employer to pay us less. But why is it pretty much always assumed that a raise is a good thing?
Today we learn about Solomon - arguably the wealthiest person ever. But what made him truly wealthy? What impact did earthly wealth have on him? Solomon is a fascinating case study in what happens when one person "has it all." Of course, just like when you see the billboards with the lottery jackpots along the freeway, you can't help but ask yourself, "What would I do if I were in his shoes?"
Time to Slow it Down - Middle of Page 183
Even today, some 3000 years later, it is still recognized that Solomon's greatest wealth - what truly made him wealthy beyond just physical riches - is that he was a man full of wisdom and knowledge.
There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge, though. You can be smart, as Solomon was about the animals and birds, reptiles and fish (p.179), and yet not have "street smarts." Then there is wisdom which has been defined as "Knowledge applied." Solomon had both, as it evident in his proverbs. They aren't just facts about the world, but how we are to live and interact with the world. Take a moment and pick three proverbs that you like the most. Then, more importantly, take a minute or two to discuss or think about how they apply to your life....
Now that you've reviewed some of the proverbs, I have one more question: what additional characteristic of his wisdom made it stand out from that of others? I'd say it was the source of his wisdom! He even acknowledges it, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." (p. 179). This wasn't just any knowledge, but knowledge applied - and knowledge from God. How do we get such knowledge? If you've been reading The Story with us, you've been looking right at it: God's word, of course! "For the LORD gives wisdom: from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (p. 179).
When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
"Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that..." 1 Kings 3:3
For a while everything went well. If anyone could be said to "have it all" it was Solomon. Not only that...but he used that wealth and prestige to bring glory to God. In one of his proverbs, Solomon wrote, "Honor the Lord with your wealth" (p. 180), and that is exactly what he did. The temple he built was an architectural wonder of the world. People came to see it just because it was so magnificent. While they visited, though, they got to hear for whom it was built. Some may wonder why put so much money into building a church. "It's just a building," they say, "Why not use that money instead to do evangelism." Fair enough, but sometimes people come to see the buildings, and in the process hear the story.
In addition, Solomon's wisdom brought attention to the Lord. Hiram, king of Lebanon, said, "Praise be to the LORD today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation" (p. 184). The queen of Sheba came to see for herself about what she had heard and said, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true...Praise be to the LORD your God!" (p. 190) What a wonderful example for us! When we are blessed...when we get a raise, promotion, an award, recognition...whenever we might consider taking praise...may we direct the praise where it is due. Jerusalem under Solomon's rule was truly a light on a hill: like a lighthouse guiding the way home, all who heard about what was happening there were guided to the Lord.
"Except that..."
And then we hear those words. You can't help but sigh and shake your head. "He had it all!" you feel like screaming. While outwardly things looked magnificent, inwardly Solomon's faith life was in shambles. The physical structures may have been sound, but his faith was on shaky ground. No longer was he, "Fearing, loving, and trusting in God above all things" as Luther explains the First Commandment. Jesus warned that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The problem is, who is a rich man? Am I rich with what I'm making now? How about next year, when I get a 3 percent raise at work? How about the year after that when I get a 5% raise? Or the year after that when I get a 2% raise? Maybe you've heard the illustration of the frog in the pot. If you drop a frog in hot water, it will hop right out. If you put a frog in cold water, and slowly warm the kettle...it will relax in there until it's boiled. We don't notice it, but when does a gift from God turn into a turning up the heat on the stove? When do we forget that this is all from God's hand, and start to trust in our wages and forget the giver? Can you name some other things in life that also "raise the temperature" so to speak? You see, I think the small changes - the small increases in wealth or prestige or fame - are almost more of a temptation because you don't notice them as much. There are more times along the line in which you're tempted to think, "Yeah, the work of my hand has done this." There are more chances for the blessings themselves to lure us away from the Lord. King Solomon's many wives led him to worship other gods - false gods. What has lured you away from the Lord this last week?
But as Solomon's father David learned, the Lord does not forsake us. He wants to have a relationship with us. He wants us to repent, to turn to him, and to trust in his love and forgiveness. We may not have a church as glorious as Solomon's temple, but when it comes down to it, God has chosen an even greater temple. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" God wants to live in you! He has washed you in his blood and made you a fitting home for his Holy Spirit. He doesn't want to be found hidden in a cloud, he wants to be revealed in you. When people see you, he wants them to learn about him. And when this world is destroyed, he wants to live with us forever. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne say, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' (Rev. 21:3-4)" Then we can truly say, "We've go it all!"
Prayer/Hymn:
One thing's needful; Lord, this treasure
Teach me highly to regard.
All else, though it first give pleasure,
Is a yoke that presses hard.
Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,
No true, lasting happiness ever deriving.
This one thing is needful; all others are vain -
I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain.
Wisdom's highest, noblest treasure,
Jesus, can be found in you.
Let me find in you my pleasure;
Make my will and actions true,
Humility there and simplicity reigning,
In paths of true wisdom my steps ever training.
If I learn from Jesus this knowledge divine,
The blessing of heavenly wisdom is mine.
For those who like more:
- Read Luke 10:38-42. What distracts you, even though
well intentioned, from the one thing that is truly needful?
- A fly through of one artist's concept of Solomon's temple: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFnWTz-7I0E
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