Today's Reading: 1 Kings 12

Choosing the Right Counselors

After his death, Solomon's son Rehoboam succeeded him as the king of Israel. One of Rehoboam’s first challenges came in the form of a demand from the populous to lighten their burden of forced labor and heavy taxation. Led by a man named Jeroboam (the son of Nebat from the tribe of Ephraim), the nation approached the new king and petitioned him to lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that his father had imposed on them.

Throughout the history of mankind, heavy taxation has repeatedly been the cause of revolt and revolution. There seems to be a pattern among successful nations that, as the nation prospers, the government grows. As the government grows, more taxes are imposed to cover the expenses of operating the government and its burgeoning bureaucracies. As taxes increase, the citizens become more and more burdened, more and more dissatisfied, and look for some relief. In the end, if these levels of excessive taxes are not lowered, the people revolt and the government is at risk of being overthrown.

This is the situation that faces Rehoboam in the early days of his reign – should he listen to the people and lower their burden? Or should he continue “the previous administration’s” policy of big government and high taxes? He doesn’t know what to do, so he turns to his teams of advisers.

The elder team of advisers gives him wise counsel and tells him to “give them a favorable answer.” If you do, they say, you will have won their hearts and “they will always be your loyal subjects.” The younger team of advisers gives him the opposite advice, telling him to display his power and authority by telling them you are going to make their burden even heavier. Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead accepted the opinion of the young men. Predictably, this decision led to revolt, civil war, and the division of the Nation.  The people decided they had had enough and would not put up with his tyranny.

Rehoboam was a leader who did not know two truths about leadership: (1) that a leader is a servant of the people, not the other way around; (2) the best counsel is often found in the older, wiser advisers. The elder men had observed Solomon and knew from experience what would work and what wouldn’t work with the people. Sadly, Rehoboam took the wrong advice. He listened to the counsel of those who knew nothing about leadership, nor how to elicit a loyal following from the people.

The lesson for us is this: Choose your counselors wisely and give greater credence to those with experience and a reputation for godly wisdom. “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

 

Today's Reading - Proverbs 31

The Truly Beautiful Woman

Proverbs 31 is a wonderful tribute to women. Specifically, to the woman who fears God. To the truly beautiful woman. The one that God honors because she honors God. The virtuous woman. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband praises her. What a blessing they are to us. What a value. What a joy. What an asset. You couldn't buy her with rubies. Her value is far above them. What an asset they are to their husband, to their family, and to God.

Here in verse 30, the author (king Lemuel) contrasts how the world values and praises women with how women are valued and praised in God’s kingdom. He summarizes the entire chapter by saying charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear of God.

Charm is deceitful. While the world may value “charm,” the reality is that it is deceitful and can be very misleading. The Hebrew word for “charm” here means to be pleasant and graceful in appearance. But watch out, that appearance can be disingenuous. This means that someone may appear to have your best interest in mind, but they are actually tricking you to get what they want. This, sadly, is the way of the world. This is deceitful. They say one thing, and mean another. This type of charm is not to be praised.

Beauty is vain. The word used here for “vain” is the same word Solomon used in Ecclesiastes – “hevel,” – which literally means “vapor” or “smoke.” Beauty is like “smoke” – it may appear as though it has substance, but when you try to grasp it and hold onto it, it soon vanishes. A woman’s physical appearance is temporary and fleeting – like a vapor which appears for but a moment then disappears.

The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Don’t praise the woman whose outward appearance is misleading or fleeting. Instead, praise a woman for her heartfelt devotion to God. Her reverence for God is genuine (not deceitful like charm). Her inner beauty is permanent (not like physical beauty which fades). The Hebrew word for “fear” in this verse is “yir’â”. When used of God, this word means to have a deep and somber respect and reverence for Him. When a woman is filled with this kind of reverence for God, she is truly beautiful. It is her relationship with God that is a beautiful thing and that makes her the most beautiful of all of God’s creations.

Today's Reading - Proverbs 30

Every Word of God Proves True

Does science disprove the Bible? Does history disprove the Bible? Does archaeology disprove the Bible? Do dinosaurs disprove the Bible? Do seemingly implausible accounts of miracles disprove the Bible? Many have tried to disprove the Bible and every time they’ve tried, they have failed miserably. As we read here in Proverbs 30, “Every word of God proves true!”

Above all other books in the world combined, the Bible has been hated, vilified, ridiculed, criticized, restricted, banned, and destroyed, but it has never been disproven. Many have endeavored to disprove its facts, figures, stories, and other content, but have failed to do so. In fact, over the course of history, hundreds of “scholars” have not only failed to disprove the Bible, but have turned their lives over to the God of the Bible as a result of their research and study. As they uncovered the message of the Bible and became convinced of its reliability, they became followers of Jesus Christ.

One of the more famous Bible skeptics of our day was Josh McDowell who set out “to write a book that would make an intellectual joke of Christianity.” His goal was to prove Christianity a “sham.” But, as he delved into his research, he began to hear the “still, small voice” of God speaking to his heart and convicting him of the “intellectual dishonesty” he was practicing. This conviction created an enormous internal conflict in his mind, will, and emotions. As a result, one night at his home in Michigan, “at the end of my second year at the university, I became a Christian.” His conclusion was, “After trying to shatter the historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the conclusion that it is historically trustworthy.”  Josh went on in 1979 to publish his findings in the book, “Evidence That Demands A Verdict” (Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1979)

Josh McDowell’s conclusion (along with the conclusions of hundreds of other skeptics) was, EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE! All of the revelation of God is free from error, and you can rely on it fully. Though not a science book, every science matter on which is speaks is completely accurate and reliable. Although not a history book, every historical account it presents is completely accurate and reliable. Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection. Do not add to His words, nor take away from His words, or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

 

Today's Reading - 2 Chronicles 9

It's All True!

King Solomon’s reputation for superior wisdom had become renown throughout Israel and its neighboring countries. So much so, that the Queen of Sheba (a territory in northwest Arabia) came to Jerusalem to put his wisdom to the test. After she witnessed it for herself, she said to the king, “It’s all true! Your reputation for accomplishment and wisdom that reached all the way to my country is confirmed. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself; they didn’t exaggerate! Such wisdom and elegance—far more than I could ever have imagined.”

The Queen went on to heap treasures, rewards, and praises upon Solomon and Israel. In her words of praise, she clearly gives God the glory. By her extravagant gifts and her flattering words, she acknowledges (perhaps unknowingly) three truths about God and His dealings with mankind.

First, she acknowledges that it is God’s love for Israel that has brought about such a successful and powerful kingdom. “God’s love is behind this,” she says. What a joy it is when others see something positive in our lives and it gives them a glimpse of God’s love. The very act of establishing and setting apart this one nation for God’s purpose was a show of His deep love.

Second, she acknowledges that God is the one who institutes kingdoms and rulers. She said, “He has made you king over them.” This truth is confirmed in Daniel 2:21 – “It is He [the LORD] who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who know understanding.”  This confirms that all governmental authority derives its power from God who grants such power. According to Romans 13:1, “All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Third, she recognizes that the primary purpose of human government is to “execute justice and righteousness.” The role of governments is to seek, serve, and promote the common good of the people. Based on the truth of the dignity and value of every human being, justice means to give each person that which is due and which, expressed negatively, means to punish evil and, expressed positively, to promote good. Governments aren’t there so the elites can benefit themselves. They exist to benefit the governed. Governments exist solely at the behest of God and are called to govern their citizens with justice and righteousness. Any nation that exists for any other reason or which has corrupted God’s purposes, is doomed to failure.

 

Today's Reading - 1 Kings 11

 

Solomon's Syncretism

Despite his many great qualities and his deep wisdom and insight, Solomon had a weakness – a character flaw – which led to his decline and downfall later in life. He was inclined to dabble with idolatry. He never openly or fully walked away from Yahweh. Never fully rejected his Jewish worship roots. Yet, due to the influences of the many women in his life, he was drawn away into the worship of their “strange gods.”

While Solomon continued to worship at Yahweh’s Temple in Jerusalem, he also undertook the construction of many pagan temples in and around the city. Then he would join in with his wives in the idolatrous and pagan practices of those temples. Thus Solomon, with all of his wisdom, all of his blessings, and all of his Jewish roots, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and his heart gradually turned away from the Lord.  

Rather than blatantly turn away from Yahweh, Solomon attempted to create his “own flavor” of religion by blending together the worship of Yahweh and the worship of idols. Thus, Solomon became the author of SYNCRETISM – the merging together of two (or more) distinct and irreconcilable principles into an un-blendable composite. Syncretism is the attempt to harmonize differing or opposing ideas or principles. It is the fusion of different belief systems. The inevitable result of attempting to do so is that the composite no longer accurately represents the original belief system which must be discarded.

The lesson for all of us is this: You cannot merge God’s truth with any opposing ideas or belief systems and expect to stay true to God. The Bible clearly teaches us that we are not to worship idols nor adhere to their belief systems. To attempt to do so would be a betrayal of truth and inconsistent with the worship of God.

Syncretism is not the total abandonment of a faith.  It is way more insidious and dangerous.  It is taking aspects of a different faith and merging it into another.  Christianity is the faith about following Jesus.  Syncretism is overwriting the beliefs of other faiths or cultures onto this practice.  The intent may not be to create something new.  It may be simply to adapt to the culture.  But it is impossible to mix anything with Jesus without creating something new and unholy. Adding anything to the life and teachings of Jesus and Biblical truth simply creates heresy. A heresy which may go by the label of “Christian,” but in reality, does not conform to the original article. Jesus plus anything is not the real Jesus. We cannot create a new without abandoning the old.  God does not take idolatry – nor syncretism – lightly. 

Today's Reading - Ecclesiastes 12 & 1 Kings 10

 

The Point of Life

After years of painstaking research and investigation and experimentation, King Solomon is finally ready to reveal the results of his lifelong quest to understand the meaning of life. He has heard it all. He has listened closely to the arguments and lines of reasoning on every topic imaginable (beauty, goodness, health, wealth, status, relationships, sex, career, success, etc.). After weighing all the evidence and putting it all to the test, he reaches this final conclusion: Fear God and do what He tells you to do. This, he says, is the whole duty of man. The whole purpose for human existence is to discover God and enjoy a relationship with Him. There is no other point to life.

Sadly, so many people feel that life is pointless. They don’t find any meaning in life. Even if they attain to a high degree of success and personal enjoyment during their lifetime, they still wonder – what is it all for? Deep inside, despite their successes, they have a feeling of emptiness – a void at the center of their soul. I can think of nothing more tragic than for one to go through life and never discover “why” they exist.

But the truth is that LIFE HAS A GRAND PURPOSE! It is not pointless, nor meaningless, nor empty. There is a true purpose for your life here on earth. The Bible is very clear as to what our purpose in life should be. Solomon tells us that life is all about honoring God with our thoughts and lives and thus keeping His commandments, for one day we will stand before Him face-to-face. Our purpose in life, as God originally created humans, is to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him. You can spend your lifetime searching (as Solomon did), but you will never find a purpose grander than this.  God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), thus man’s purpose cannot be fulfilled apart from Him.

The ultimate purpose of man, according to the Bible, is simply to glorify God. We fulfill this purpose by living our lives in relationship and faithful service to Him. The more we get to know our Creator and the more we love Him and the better we understand who we are and what our purpose is.

So, fear God and do what He tells you to do. This is the point of life.

Today's Reading - Ecclesiastes 10 & 11

Keep Your Mouth Out of Trouble

The wisdom of King Solomon is renowned in human history. Throughout the writings of Solomon we have an opportunity to learn in the classroom of one of the true geniuses of all time (next to Jesus, that is).

Of course, we know the source of Solomon’s great wisdom – God Himself! In a dream, God had invited Solomon to make a request – to ask for anything he desired. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge the people fairly and wisely. Yahweh was pleased with his request and granted to Solomon a wise and understanding heart. Solomon went on and became famous for his wise judgments. 

Solomon’s reputation spread to other lands, even as far as Sheba, in Arabia. The queen of Sheba traveled to see Solomon’s glory and riches and to test the depth of his wisdom. The queen was so impressed with Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of Israel that she praised the Lord for putting such a wise king on the throne. 

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes, and two Psalms. Within these writings, he captured for us many nuggets of profound wisdom. Here in Ecclesiastes 10, Solomon makes a wise observation about how one uses their words. He contrasts the “wise man” with the “fool” and tells us that wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. The words of a wise person are gracious and well though out. His/her words are carefully planned so as to bring acceptance and favor. The fool, on the other hand, just starts blurting out nonsense and ends up in self-destruction.

It has been said that, “A wise man speaks when he has something to say; but a fool speaks when he has to say something.” Biblically, this is so true. God has urged us many times in Scripture to control the words that come out of our mouth, and not to just let anything spew forth. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

So, how are the words that come from your mouth? Are they good words? Are they wise words? Are they clean words? Are they helpful words? Do they minister grace to your hearers? If not, take a moment now and surrender your tongue to God. Let the Holy Spirit speak His love and truth through you. “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23)