Wisdom

When we talk or think about wisdom, we think of the book of Proverbs.  It’s packed full of a collection of wise sayings and good advice.  Many of these proverbs came from the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon.   Proverbs was inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It speaks of God’s eternal words about Himself and His will for His people.  Chapters 1 and 10 are identified as “Proverbs of Solomon”.  Chapter 25 is titled “More Proverbs of Solomon”.

In this age of technology, how are you growing in wisdom as a person, family member, neighbor, co-worker and citizen through greater access to information?  Are we better off than the generations of Solomon?

Proverbs has sensible and practical answers to all kinds of difficulties.  It is the greatest “how to” book ever written.  The promises in the book are that those who choose wisdom and follow it will be blessed in numerous ways; long life (9:11); prosperity (2:20-22); joy (3:13-18).  Those who reject God will suffer shame and death (3:35; 10:21).  To reject God is to choose folly over wisdom and separates us from God, His Word, His wisdom and His blessings.

Proverbs tell us to seek godly wisdom, fear the Lord, be teachable and don’t be foolish.  This book is a source of practical wisdom for living a life that pleases God.  It covers many topics and addresses every situation in life.  Following these instructions will result in healthier relationships, honest and productive business dealings, rewarding community experiences and a moral life.  The book’s purpose is to make you wise, but it must be applied which is centered around the fear of the Lord.

The key idea is “The fear of the Lord” and is found 14 times in the book of Proverbs and is found only 7 times outside of this book.  To fear the Lord doesn’t mean we live being afraid of Him.  It means to show reverence, respect and honor to Him.  He is the Creator and we need to look at Him that way.

Ways to fear the Lord:

Be aware of His presence during the day.  Speak to him throughout the day. 

Learn to trust Him daily and don’t be afraid to confess sin and ask God to help you walk in His peace.  He is your refuge.

Value and respect the Bible.  After all it is God speaking to us.  Remember “All Scripture is God-breathed …” (2 Tim. 3:16).  Read and know the Bible and commit to applying what you read. 

Worship God during the day, not just on Sunday.  Let worship permeate your life.  “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” – Ps. 95:6.

Avoid situations that are not of God.  Watch your actions that may lead you into sinful thinking and actions – bad relationships, movies and TV shows.

Repent of any sin.  Live a repentant life style daily.  Ask God to create in you a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within you. (Ps. 51:9-10).

Worship only God.  “So fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly.  Put away forever the idols”. – Joshua 24:14a.

How can we gain wisdom?  We need to seek wisdom by asking God for it and then trust it, because all wisdom comes from the Lord.  “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Prov. 2:6.

Principle:  Wisdom comes from living righteously.

Some Key verses:

Prov. 1:5 - “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” 

Prov. 1:7 - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Prov. 4:5 - “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.”

Prov. 8:13-34 -“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.  Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.”

Summary of Proverbs

Proverbs 1-9 – Solomon addresses the young.  He praises wisdom.  He warns against rejecting wisdom; he gives the benefits of wisdom; he gives warnings against all folly; he calls for all people to find wisdom.

Proverbs 10-24 – These chapters contain advice that applies to those in responsible positions and covers various topics.  Solomon gives descriptions of wisdom.

Proverbs 25-29 – These sayings are Hezekiah’s collection of Solomon’s proverbs.  Here he gives wisdom to leaders, wisdom in avoiding court, and wisdom on individual matters.

Proverbs 30 – These sayings are sayings of Agur.  He declares that every word of God is flawless.

He talks of man being humble and the purity, strength, and integrity of God’s Word.  He warns of speaking ill of others.  He gives warnings to foolish generations and mocking.  He warns of wickedness of the adulterous woman.  He mentions 4 small yet wise creatures and gives 4 examples of majesty – ants, coneys (rabbits), locusts, lizards.

Proverbs 31 – These are sayings of King Lemuel.  He warns of the danger of sexual immorality and of alcohol.  He says we should defend the defenseless.  Prov. 31:10-31 sayings are on womanhood and Hebrew wisdom.  This chapter illustrates one who has found wisdom.  The woman described in this chapter can also be viewed as the Bride of Christ (All Christians) and her work in the world.

When you look at these qualities in chapter 31, do you put yourself down or compare yourself to others?

How do you live out the gospel to build up your witness, family, business, community and church as described in this chapter?

Principle:  God gives wisdom to everyone who knows and trusts Him.

God’s Spirit, living in all believers, works wisdom in us day by day.  His light penetrates every part of life and transforms.  Our Creator God sustains the universe and gives His people wisdom throughout every age through knowing Him.  If you want wisdom, the book of Proverbs is the place to access God’s voice.

James describes the same wisdom from Proverbs that characterizes God’s people.  James 3:17 – “But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Where do you need wisdom?

What in your speech or attitude is unwise and dishonors God?

Do you struggle with a particular sin or try new ways to manage it or bring it under control on your own?

Will you take time to confess, repent, and accept God’s forgiveness and ask Him to change you?

Hope to see you here for our next study.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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1 Kings 11

We have seen King Solomon’s slowly turning away from God, but not much about his failure until now.  In chapter 11 we see his failure described.  He married many wives, 700 royal wives and 300 concubines.  God clearly stated in Deuteronomy 17:17 that this was against what God wanted for Israel’s kings.  “He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.”

It seems Solomon desired many wives because of his lust, but it was also for power and prestige.  Maybe Solomon had become drunk with his fame through the world, because in those days a large harm was a status symbol.  He was never really satisfied.  The more he had, the more he wanted.

Solomon’s wives worshipped foreign gods and to keep them happy Solomon built places of worship for them and with time he joined them in worship.  Age didn’t make him any wiser.  He didn’t lose his faith entirely, but just added sinful things to his life.  He compromised.  His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord as the heart of David his father had been.  For the wisest man on earth, he was very foolish.  If this was the case with the wisest man who ever live, then what hope do we have apart from dependence upon Jesus?  I hope Solomon’s example drives us all to greater dependence on Jesus.

The Lord spoke to Solomon a third time.  He became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from Him.  The Lord had appeared to him twice before and warned him of the dangers of disobedience.  Now that Solomon had disobeyed, the Lord said He would tear down his kingdom and give it to one of his subordinates.  For David’s sake, this wouldn’t be done in Solomon’s lifetime.  Instead it would be torn out of the hand of Solomon’s son. 

What false gods are in your life?  Some idols today are:  famous people, our possessions, our jobs, TV, video games, power, and even our kids can be idols.  Anything or anyone you put before God is an idol.

God raised up adversaries who opposed Solomon – Hadad the Edomite, Rezon son of Eliada, and Jeroboam son of Nebat, who would eventually rule over the 10 northern tribes of Israel.  God left one tribe to the House of David.  The small tribe of Benjamin was absorbed into the tribe of Judah.

Jeroboam was one of Solomon’s officials.  He was a man of standing and was put in charge of the whole labor force.  God assured Jeroboam if he obeyed His rules and commandments, He would be with him and give Israel to him and God would humble David’s descendants, but not forever. 

Jeroboam and David were appointed by God.  David waited on the Lord to make the throne clear and God blessed his reign.  Jeroboam didn’t wait on the Lord, but make his own way to the throne and God didn’t bless his reign.  Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, which shows how wicked he had become.  Jeroboam fled to Egypt and stayed there until Solomon’s death. 

The Lord was very patient with Solomon, because his sin didn’t happen all at once.  It happened over time.  That’s the way Satan works.  You start out with a little sin and all of a sudden it turns into more sin and bigger sins.  Solomon disobeyed almost every rule that God had said kings should follow.  He increased his number of horses and chariots; he gathered great riches to himself; he married women, even foreign women.  Worst of all, he worshiped false gods.  He knew his disobedience brought judgment.

I think Solomon realized what was important and that all his power and possessions were useless when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes.  He summed up his life in Ecclesiastes 13:8 – “Everything is meaningless”. 

Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for 40 years.  Then he rested with his fathers and was buried.  This doesn’t mean he was a saved man since this term ‘rested with his fathers’ is also used when the wicked died.  So we don’t know if he is heaven or not; however 2 Chronicles 11:17 may be a clue.  But we do know that God can forgive any sin and maybe Solomon came to his senses at the end.  His son Rehoboam succeeded him as king over Judah and Benjamin which was called Judah or the southern kingdom.

David spiritually recovered from his faults and sins, but he never worshiped false gods or built shrines to them.  Both were driven by their egos and their hormones.  David repented, but we are not told if Solomon repented.  David had a heart for God.  Solomon was puffed up and full of himself.  Solomon’s greatest accomplishment was the building of the temple where the people could look to the Lord in prayer and trust Him to hear and answer their prayers.  God punished Solomon, but He kept his promise to David.

Are you guilty of sin or overcome by difficulties and trials in life?  Jesus is our temple.  Turn to Him.  No matter how we fail; Jesus never fails.

Solomon’s life began with great purpose.  It began with his heart following God and obeying His ways, but somewhere along the way he stopped guarding his heart and was led astray.  Jesus warned us in Mark 8:36-37 – “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Principle:  Begin well and finish well.

Solomon’s life is a warning for our lives.  Solomon had it all and fell.  Watch out if you think you are doing well.  This is an opportunity for Satan to steal your heart from God.  Guard your heart against compromise.  Guard your heart against what seems to be small choices that show love for someone or something other than the Lord your God.  “Now these things happened to them as an example and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” – 1 Corn. 10:11-12

How can you live a life that stays focused on Jesus and doesn’t turn away? 

Immediately repent of sin – 1 John 1:9

Stay focused on Jesus daily – Hebrews 12:1-2

Depend upon the Holy Spirit to enable you to live the Christian life – Zechariah 4:6; John 15:5

Stay in His Word – Ephesians 6:17

Be obedient – John 14:15

Principles: 

A heart for anything other than God separates us from Him.

God lovingly uses consequences to turn us back to Him.

This is the last of our study on 1 Kings.  Hope to see you here for our next study.

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1 Kings 9-10

1 Kings 9 – Solomon’s Choice

The Lord first appeared to Solomon in 1 Kings 3 at the beginning of Solomon’s reign when he prayed for wisdom.  Solomon finished the temple and prayed and dedicated the temple to the Lord in 1 Kings 8.  When he finished the temple and his palace and achieved all he had desired to do, the Lord appeared to him a second time.  He told Solomon that He had heard his prayers and had consecrated the temple.  The Lord told him that His eyes and heart would always be there, but the Lord gave him a warning.  If Solomon walked with integrity of heart and uprightness as David did and did all the Lord commanded and observed the Lord’s laws, the Lord would establish his royal throne over Israel just as He promised David.  If Solomon did not observe the laws and commands and walk with integrity, the Lord would cut off Israel from the land and reject the temple.  Then Israel would become an object of ridicule among all peoples.  When this happens, the people would know it was because they had forsaken the Lord and served other gods.

What is keeping you from listening to God’s warnings?

What other gods are you serving?

God provided Solomon with all he needed and He provides us with all we need.  He provides us with the gift of salvation, but we have choices to make.  We can choose to serve Him or serve ourselves, but we can’t serve both.  “No one can serve two masters.” – Matt. 6:24.

Principle:  God wants our whole hearts.

It took 20 years for Solomon to build the temple and his palace.  Afterwards Solomon gave Hiram of Tyre 20 towns.  Hiram was not pleased, because he thought these towns were not important towns.  He called them “good for nothing towns”. 

Was Solomon taking advantage of him?  Is he beginning to abuse his power?  What’s going on in Solomon’s heart?  Is he getting stingy?  We can’t know what is in Solomon’s heart, but it looks like it’s shifting in the wrong direction.

Does your success come before your faithfulness to God?

How are you taking advantage of others to get what you want?

Solomon continues to build up his empower and cities to store his chariots and horses.  He built whatever he desired in Jerusalem, Lebanon and throughout the territory.  He did this by using forced labor.  The laborers were all the people left from the descendants of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites – all who were not Israelites.  The Israelites were not slaves, but supervisors.  They were his fighting men, his government officials, his officers, his captains, and his commanders.  There were 550 officials who supervised the working men.

Pharaoh’s daughter who was now Solomon’s wife was brought from Jerusalem to the palace that he had built for her.  Solomon offered burnt sacrifices and fellowship offerings to the Lord 3 times a year.

Solomon build ships and Hiram sent his sailors to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s men.  They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold to King Solomon.

1 Kings 10 – Solomon’s Witness

Solomon’s wisdom was the topic of conversations all over the world.  Queen Sheba heard of Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity of his kingdom, and his faith of the Lord so she decided to go see for herself.  She asked Solomon many questions and was very impressed with him and his answers.  She realized it was far greater than she had heard.  She saw how happy his servants and officials were in serving Solomon.  She saw the temple, the palace, all the fine food that was provided, and all his achievements.  She gave praises to God and knew it was Him who placed Solomon on the throne to maintain justice and righteousness.  She gave Solomon 120 talents of gold, spices, and precious stones increasing his wealth even more.  Hiram’s ships brought gold and cargos of almugwood and precious stone to Solomon.  He used the wood to make supports for the temple, the palace and to make harps and lyres for the musicians.  He gave the queen more than she desired.

Where do you seek wisdom?

What impresses you about other Christians?

What impresses you about God?

Are you joyful in serving Jesus?

Sheba came a great distance to seek Solomon.  She came with gifts.  She took her questions to an imperfect king.  She saw the riches of the king.  She told what was in her heart.  If she sought Solomon so diligently, shouldn’t we seek Jesus and the glory of His Kingdom even more?  The perfect King invites your questions.  His perfect Word can stand up to your doubts and questions.

Do you take your questions and concerns to King Jesus?

Principle:  God’s wants us to seek Him.

Solomon had gold of 666 talents, which is the same as $281,318,400.  He received much more gold yearly.  He made shields of gold and gathered chariots and horsemen.  He did all this which was a direct contradiction to God’s instructions.  In Deuteronomy 17:14-20 God gave warnings to kings of Israel – they must not acquire a great number of horses, not take many wives, and not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.  God blessed Solomon with riches, but Solomon allowed it to turn into a danger.  He disobediently multiplies gold and horses for himself.

He made silver as common as stones and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees.  He imported horses and chariots from Egypt.  He also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

All of Solomon’s wealth reminds us of our human desires and sins.  God’s law contained rules for kings of Israel.  Solomon didn’t obey these rules.  He was still serving God, but had begun to care more about his own wealth than he cared about God’s law.  Partial obedience is disobedience.

How are you tempted by wealth and possessions?

Are you partially obedient?  We may not see anything wrong, but if it’s against God’s rules it’s wrong.  Do you do what’s right by the world’s standards? 

Do you tell yourself that it’s okay to:  have sex outside marriage, have a live-in boyfriend, not tithe because you have too many bills this month, tell a little lie, gossip, tell off-color jokes because it’s all in good fun, or call it prayer when it’s really gossip?

Principle:  Obedience results from a heart surrendered to God.

Next time we will continue with our last study of 1 Kings.  We will end with the death of Solomon.  Hope to see you here.

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