Name your son Solomon and He will be wise!
What a nonsensical claim! But that name and wisdom are synonymous through time. So much so that even non christians know that. But we know that wisdom is neither mythical or exclusive through the beginnings of Solomon's Kingship.
Little is written about the Solomon and David's relationship, but I believe their lives together played an important role of Solomon's formative years. From the commissioning and conduct of Solomon (1 Kings 1-2) to the Psalms of david (particularly 37, 71 & 94). We can see the intertwine of their lives. Father instructing son. Son follows instructions. For sure, Solomon takes after His father. Like any good Hebrew father, I can imagine Solomon, as a young prince, spending time in the courts of his father. David cajoling Solomon to confess his first crush. Teaching him the gentleman's way to treat a hebrew maiden. Hours sweating, iron blades clashing, David coaches his son the ways of the sword. Mornings on the breakfast table, debating about the rise in iron prices in Gath, the politics and wars in Egypt. David singing psalms 94, telling solomon the dramatic story of his days of wilderness under the evening jerusalem twilight. I may be exaggerating. But if you read psalm 37 and imagine David saying those words to Solomon. You'll get my point. - Wisdom starts from God and is cultivated.
Solomon asked - I'm writing beyond my reading. Read 1 Kings 3:7-9. Solomon realizes that human wisdom, be it gifted since young, taught by his father, or self-learnt - has a limit (v7-8) Asking for something means acknowledging your lack. Wisdom comes to the "gifted" few because they asked perhaps? Humbling yourself and ask of God will open you to ways you've never seen.
Solomon listened - Psalm 71:17 "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me.." Not only is Wisdom given by God to those who lacks it. It is taught and trained. Again and Again. Till we listen and internalise it. Psalm 94:12 encourages us to see discipline as a blessing. "Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law." In our youth, listening every week's sermon, to the words of our spiritual parents will reap a harvest of life in due time. If God said His word doesn't return to His Father void, but accomplishes what it was sent out for, (see Isaiah 55:11), doesn't take give us a motivation to endure? This week in prayer, God spoke into my life, that when your life is about someone else, you'll see God provide. David who survived countless grieves and murder attempts, sees God's promise and provision true when He sees his son Solomon rise up to be King. Take heart. For those who sow in tears will reap in Joy.
Solomon obeyed - We read Solomon's statements and story in the printed words of the bible. But Solomon is far from just a man of words. His actions was shown immediately upon his commissioning. He discerned evil and eradicate it without apprehension (read 1 Kings 2:22-46), even up against the demands of his mother! His wise ruling was testament in 1 Kings 3. He was a man who not only listened to instructions but follows them. Completely.
We all long to be regarded as a man or woman of wisdom. But the wise people of the bible is marked by humility, brokeness, hard work, discipline, endurance. So much more that we can only come before God like Solomon did, and admit our insufficiency and surrendering our lives for His purpose. As recipients of His word, let us lay hold of the promise that God will accomplish what He desire and achieve the purpose for which He sent His word (Isaiah 55:11). Let us regard less of our appearance but our endurance. We and our children will be wise when we ask of God, listen and obey.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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