Forgetfulness and Wisdom
Continuing the series on forgetfulness and the consequences of, we come to the subject of wisdom.
If anyone can be accused of forgetfulness when it comes to wisdom, it is King Solomon. He was known for the wisdom God granted him--enough that it was famous beyond the borders of his kingdom. Yet, why did Solomon not take full advantage of this gift?
"Compromise" is one word that comes to mind. Back in that day, it was common for kings to make marriage alliances as a part of treaties. Solomon followed this practice, even though God had forbidden marriage with outsiders. (Read 1 Kings chapters 3-11.)
First Kings 11 reveals that the turning of Solomon's heart occurred because he loved many foreign women, and it enumerates the nations they came from in verses 1-10.
That chapter also tells of the consequences: "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, 'Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen'" (11:11-23).
The rest of 1 Kings 11 tells how the Lord brought this about.
We have the writings of Solomon in Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes--what we might consider his spiritual diary. Ecclesiastes 12 ends with these poignant words: "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (vv. 13-14, NAS; other references, ESV).
If King Solomon could be forgetful, what risks might we run? It may not be from having a lot, as he did. It may be from trials the Lord ordains for us.
One of my favorite Scripture passages is James 1:2-5: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
Perhaps the "but" at the beginning of verse 5 is meant to encourage those who are unsure as to how to work out verses 2-4. It is not automatic for us to consider our various trials as sources of joy, so we often don't realize that these tests produce endurance, or the eventual outcome of endurance.
If you are like me, you want the tests/trials to end, period. We are short sighted if we think endurance is only something athletes need.
The writer of Hebrews has much to say, too about endurance. In Hebrews 12, we read: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (vv. 1-4)
What do I see in James and in Hebrews? That, as we grow in all other aspects of sanctification, persevering, we will also grow in His wisdom so long as we do not forget to seek it.
If anyone can be accused of forgetfulness when it comes to wisdom, it is King Solomon. He was known for the wisdom God granted him--enough that it was famous beyond the borders of his kingdom. Yet, why did Solomon not take full advantage of this gift?
"Compromise" is one word that comes to mind. Back in that day, it was common for kings to make marriage alliances as a part of treaties. Solomon followed this practice, even though God had forbidden marriage with outsiders. (Read 1 Kings chapters 3-11.)
First Kings 11 reveals that the turning of Solomon's heart occurred because he loved many foreign women, and it enumerates the nations they came from in verses 1-10.
That chapter also tells of the consequences: "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, 'Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen'" (11:11-23).
The rest of 1 Kings 11 tells how the Lord brought this about.
We have the writings of Solomon in Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes--what we might consider his spiritual diary. Ecclesiastes 12 ends with these poignant words: "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (vv. 13-14, NAS; other references, ESV).
If King Solomon could be forgetful, what risks might we run? It may not be from having a lot, as he did. It may be from trials the Lord ordains for us.
One of my favorite Scripture passages is James 1:2-5: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
Perhaps the "but" at the beginning of verse 5 is meant to encourage those who are unsure as to how to work out verses 2-4. It is not automatic for us to consider our various trials as sources of joy, so we often don't realize that these tests produce endurance, or the eventual outcome of endurance.
If you are like me, you want the tests/trials to end, period. We are short sighted if we think endurance is only something athletes need.
The writer of Hebrews has much to say, too about endurance. In Hebrews 12, we read: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (vv. 1-4)
What do I see in James and in Hebrews? That, as we grow in all other aspects of sanctification, persevering, we will also grow in His wisdom so long as we do not forget to seek it.
posted by Ebeth | 10:26 AM
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