Sophia

One of Jesus’ favorite topics to preach on was the Kingdom of God, which is funny cause for me (and I think many others) the Kingdom of God is one of the most foreign concepts in Christianity. But if Jesus was so preoccupied with teaching people about this kingdom, wouldn’t it probably be a good idea to get a grasp of this kingdom idea? I’d like to make at least one small contribution to this discussion. The only difference is that I’d like to start off in the Old Testament with a king named Solomon.

Solomon was the former King David’s son who became king after David. When Solomon was “crowned” king, David gave a familiar challenge to Solomon (Deuteronomy 17:19-20; 31:6; Joshua 1:6-7) saying, “Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…” (1 Kings 2:2-3).

The beautiful thing is that Solomon actually believed that he had a Father in Heaven who has already proved His unending love for him and the people he is king over by taking them all out of Egypt, out of slavery, out of bondage, and out of oppression, and has taken them to a land “filled with milk and honey” (a wealthy land for farmers of all kinds), conquered thousands upon thousands of hostile enemies, and blessed the nation with wealth and prosperity. So Solomon had no problem with this challenge!

We see that he made sacrifice to God that were so huge, so honoring that God decided to meet Solomon personally…“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you’ ” (3:5). And out of all the things Solomon could’ve asked for, he remembered the one thing that his dying father, David, challenged him to do: to keep the charge of the Lord, keep His ways, statues, commands, and testimonies so that he would be a success, and replies, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (3:9)

Solomon’s response even surprised God! So God replied, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you” (3:11-12).

God has a soft spot for people who actually want to “be holy as our heavenly Father is holy.” Solomon certainly had tons of concerns, many of which the Scriptures he had at the time wouldn’t specifically cover. Meaning, all the laws of Moses wouldn’t speak into the particular situations and conflicts Solomon would face (such as the one immediately following this interaction with God in 1 Kings 3:16-28). Solomon knew that to walk blamelessly before his God, he needed extra wisdom.

This is just like us today. We have tons of Scripture. But all even in all its worth, it still doesn’t specifically tell us what to do and how to handle situations that we come across...we need WISDOM! If we want to take the charge to obey God and be holy like He is holy seriously, we need to know His word AND ask for wisdom! James tells us, “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously without reproach and it will be given him” (James 1:5)!

I sometimes wonder if we think that God is not actually for us. As if God is indifferent whether we grow in faith and love for Him. I don’t believe that this could be farther from the truth; like as opposite as black is from white! God sent His own Son to die so that we could grow in faith and love for God! It’s like our developing faith and love for Him is His biggest concern! And when we take steps that show Him our love, our faith, our dependence, He helps us take them! He gives us the power, the strength, the courage, the confidence to finish the task! This is God’s desire for us and He LOVES it when we’re pursuing Him in faith and love.

Remember that surprised response God gave Solomon? The one where God granted Solomon his request? Well, God wasn’t finished yet. God continued, “I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days” (3:13-14). Jesus tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” I’ve got to be honest when I say that when Jesus said, “all these things,” he was referring to all of one’s NEEDS, not necessarily peoples material or emotional wants and desires, but our needs. Yet, on the other hand, Solomon sought after God’s kingdom before his own and look what God did for him. God is a loving Father who wants to see us succeed in absolutely everything. And when we use what God gives us for his glory He WILL continue to bless and give even more (Matthew 25:14-23).