1:6 - I love the example that Solomon set for us. The first thing that he does as king, is lead the people in worship of God. One of the things that he and his father David always did (In the times in their lives when they were focused on godliness), was go to God in worship and prayer before every major decision and in response to every victory. Is that not how God-fearers should live their lives? We should live like that on a daily basis.
1:10 - Do you see why Solomon asks for wisdom? He specifically asks for wisdom so that he can have the ability to lead GOD'S people. Solomon knows his place...he knows that even as a king, he is the servant of God. Parents - are you daily going before the Lord to ask for the wisdom you need to lead His children that He has gifted to you? Teachers? Leaders? Bosses?
1:11 - Do you ever wonder if Solomon was just giving his best churchy answer to God? Ex: God - "What can I give you Solomon?" Solomon - "Oh...uh...wisdom to lead your people, yeah that's it (Thinking: now God will give me what I really want!)." Verse 11 shows us that was not the case. God knows that Solomon honestly wanted wisdom to lead and He honors that request.
2:6 - God cannot be contained! I love how Solomon puts it...even the heavens cannot contain God! Solomon has an incredible understanding of the nature of God. Human beings cannot build God a home to live in...we should never allow ourselves to think of church as the place God dwells. Beliefs like that have allowed people to live their lives as if God isn't always with them...they put on their best behavior for church and then do whatever they want during the rest of the week. What an offensive view of God! Solomon knows a little bit about the magnitude of God's presence. We can't build a place to contain God, but we can build a place for His followers to gather so that they can be energized and inspired to go back out and honor His name.
2:12 - I love this! God's name is made great in other countries because of the example that King David and King Solomon live out for the world to see. Their faithfulness brings honor to God. May I live a life that brings honor to the name of God and understand that my actions can also bring dishonor to the name that I carry as a follower of Jesus.
2:17 - Uh-oh, Solomon takes data from the census (Which God hated and considered sinful) and uses it to put over 150,000 into forced labor in Israel. We get our first picture of the chink in Solomon's armor, which I believe is pride. He has unmatchable wisdom and unimaginable wealth, but he didn't ask for humility and it comes back to bite him as the years roll on. The people who were freed from generation after generation of slavery in Egypt have now become the slave masters in the Promised Land. Not a good sign.
2 comments:
I like how verse one starts out that Solomn was "firmly" established. I bet if you go back to kings and look at all those that were godly, that they were firmly established, and those that worshipped false gods or killed or murdered to get their throne always had to look over there shoulders cause they were not firmly established. Godly leaders lead out of love and compassion, evil leaders lead out of greed.
vs 10. People are more important than stuff to the Godly leader.
Ch 2 vs 11. I like that saying, because God loves His people he gave them a great leader. We should take that attitude towards those in our lives we love and serve with.
Ch2 vs 17. Looks familiar. Who cuts your grass?
Ch 3 and 4. It must have been an impressive building.
Uh, the guy that cuts my lawn is named Brandon Forsythe sucka! And he even planted my garden.
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