The Key to Wisdom

After reading the introduction to the book of Lamentations yesterday, I realized I didn't have too great of a grasp on the whole exile thing and how that all came about. So, as Rev. Peterson recommends, I'm reading The Books of Kings!

I read: 1 Kings 1-3

In a nutshell what we see here is the end of one rule and the beginning of another, David's and Solomon's respectively. There's some Lord of the Rings-esque malpheasance going on as Solly and his brother play little games to gain the throne but Solomon, as you guessed, ends up with the crown. It's kind of fun to get all this history 'cause it's full of political intrigue and the like. Actually, after Sol is king it reminds me more of Michael becoming the godfather at the end of The Godfather. How best to consolidate your kingdom? By whacking your enemies, of course!

Anyways, what I really want to look at is the famous exchange between God and Solomon right at the start of the king's reign. Starting at 3:4, God asks Solomon what he would like. Solomon replies by affirming the generous love God showed his father and the blessings that poured out on David when he was living correctly. He then acknowledges the awesome power and responsibility that he now yields because of God's will. Then he finally gets down to what he wants (yell it out if you know it now): a God-listening heart.

How many of you screamed, "Wisdom!"? That's what I would have said had I not just read the thing. When you hear this story it's basically God asking Solomon what he wants and Solomon replying, "Wisdom!" and ends up getting riches and a long life in addition to that wisdom 'cause God liked his answer so much. But it's an entirely different thing when you read it here, or at least in The Message.

"Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" (1 Kings 3:9).

Man that's good. We can see the fruits of knowledge apart from God-seeking all around us. Technology in its many forms and guises are those fruits. The implements themselves are neutral, but they can be used for bad and good, and it's often the clever who devises the bad uses out of them.

But knowledge coupled with a life affirming a need to follow God and constantly seeking him is an entirely different kettle of fish. Again, I think this comes back to the idea that the less of us the more of God there is. The less we try to rely on our own wisdom and seek instead what God knows, the better off we are. The best leaders we have are the ones who are willing to admit that they don't know much and wouldn't be there without God's help and couldn't continue to be there without that same help.

It's striking how different our definition is from Solomon's or God's. That tiny little difference makes all the difference in the world, however. And with that difference ingrained into our hearts and heads we can begin to lead those who God puts us in front of with the wisdom that is going to change their lives for good.