We need the fear of the Lord
“In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it. It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.” (1Kings 6:38-7:1)
Good morning saints,
My personal bible reading has been in the book of Kings. As I transitioned from chapter 6 to 7 in 1st Kings, the Author of scripture, Holy Spirit, had exposed a very obvious character flaw in the life of Solomon - one that would eventually lead to his downfall. Maybe at first glance one just passes over the verses without even noticing the blatant contrast, but it is quite obvious that Solomon spent almost twice as much time building his house versus building the Lord’s house. How could the wisest man who ever lived (1Kings 3:12), not see his own need for humility, moderation and contentment with modest provision. Maybe the answer lies in 1st Kings 3:13 – not only did God grant Solomon’s request for wisdom, but He gave him “what you have not asked for-- both riches and honor-- so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.” “Fame and fortune” – ‘let’s see how you handle those with all the wisdom I have given you’, says the Lord. Is it not like God to answer our requests/prayers with a test to expose the real motives and intent of the heart? What is wisdom if not the ability to use the knowledge we have been given for making right decisions that honor God, and not bring glory to ourselves. The blessing of wisdom, wealth and honor came with the condition of obedience to the commands of God (1Kings 3:14). At the time, to guide him in his role as king, Solomon would have had the Book of the Law - the Pentateuch - the first five book of the Bible that Moses wrote, plus his own father’s instruction (David’s psalms for instance). There was enough ‘warning’ for how kings were to govern over God’s people. In Deuteronomy 17 there is clear instruction on proper stewardship as king (see Deut. 17:14-20). Don’t accumulate wives nor horses, yet Solomon in all his wisdom was guilty of both. In chapter 3 of 1st Kings Solomon is granted wisdom and wealth and told to obey. By chapter 4, “Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen”(1st Kings 4:26). By chapter 11, “he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart” (1Kings 11:3). Chapter 11 is a sad commentary on the life of Solomon, who had turned away from the Lord and worshipped the gods of his many wives. One could ask the question, “how could such a wise man turn so quickly from the Lord?”. I believe that King Solomon answers that question in his own writings, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10). In a span of 20-30 years, the wisest and richest man in the world shipwrecks his faith! As he looks back on his life he realizes that all of his wealth and life was “vanity of vanities” (Ecc. 1:2); and the only real meaning to life is to “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc. 12:13).
Oh friends, Paul says it best when he writes, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10). It is so interesting to me that one could have all the wisdom in the world yet be such a fool in the practical things of life. As Jesus said, it is not a problem with the mind, but with the heart (Matt 12: 34-35; Matt. 15:18-20). One can be very religious, yet not have a heart for the Lord (Matt. 23:25). Wisdom without the fear of the Lord leads to sin and shipwreck. A heart after God is one that desires all that has been given us be used for the glory of God. Let’s start 2024 off by checking the true motives and intent of our heart – no better way to do that than to be in the Word (Hebrews 4:12).
Blessings!
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