Apparently the average human being makes over 30,000 decisions a day? It seems an unbelievably high figure, but scientists seriously estimate that our brains make around 30,000 different choices every single day. No doubt many of those decisions are so basic, so inconsequential that we barely realise we are making them – like perhaps the decision to put one foot in front of another when we walk, or to use our thumb to type a text message on our phone. But other daily decisions are more meaningful aren’t they? Some choices we make day-by-day are rather more significant. There are some choices we face that will have a real impact on the course of our lives. Choices that will also shape the lives of those around us – especially if we find ourselves in a position of responsibility – within our family, workplace, church or community. Faced with so many decisions, we all want to make the right ones, don’t we? In other words, we all want to act wisely. We need wisdom to make good choices for ourselves and others. One famously wise man in Scripture is, of course, King Solomon.
King Solomon: Wisdom requested!
Over the next few weeks at St John’s we are going to be learning a host of lessons from the life of King Solomon, as recorded in the book of 1 Kings. The son of King David, Solomon led the nation of Israel around 1000BC, when it was at its most prosperous and united. As we shall see, Solomon was the king who built the first great Temple in Jerusalem, a great king whom foreign rulers envied, a king whose wisdom was legendary.
But today we focus on a remarkable offer that God made to Solomon. In verse 5 today we are told that: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” I wonder what you would ask for in that situation? Health, wealth and happiness? A fast car, a beautiful house, a long life?! In Solomon’s context he could have asked for fame, fortune and security from foreign invasion. But instead he asks for wisdom. You might say that Solomon wisely asked to become wise!
Verses 9 today tell us why Solomon wanted wisdom above all else – it explains Solomon’s selfless motivation for seeking wisdom: ”Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong,” he said. “For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Solomon wanted wisdom not to feather his own nest or polish his own ego, but to bring blessing to his people. He wanted wisdom and good judgement so he could run his kingdom well, so his people could prosper. Perhaps we should be praying harder for our own nation’s leaders, that they would be given more wisdom and discernment? Perhaps we ourselves should be craving a larger dose of wisdom to make better choices in own areas of responsibility, or in our use of our time and money?
Solomon’s high estimation of wisdom is echoed in the book of Proverbs, a compendium of wise sayings which Solomon himself contributed to. For example, in Proverbs chapter 3, Solomon writes: ‘Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.’
It ‘pleased’ God to give Solomon wisdom in response to his wise request. And as an added bonus he promised him fame, wealth and a long life as well (v.13-14). And 1 Kings chapter 4 goes on to describe the effects of God’s wisdom on Solomon. Not only was he able to arbitrate in a ‘child custody dispute’ between two mothers, he also “spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to his wisdom”.
Us: Wisdom required!
What a remarkable man Solomon was. What generosity God showed towards him. But what about us? I assume God has appeared to none of us in a dream, and certainly none of us are rulers of a nation. But If we seek wisdom for ourselves and for our lives, there are two things we can do:
Firstly, we can pray for wisdom. We can pray that God will give us good judgment and a larger slice of common sense. In fact the Bible encourages Christians to do just that. Because in James chapter1 verse 5 we read: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” There are lots of good things Christians can pray for – and wisdom is certainly one of them. And even if you don’t believe me, there’s no harm in asking, is there?!
Secondly, we can seek after wisdom by reading Scripture, including the wisdom of Solomon found in Proverbs. As the introduction to that book says: ‘The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behaviour, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a] knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Whatever our age and stage, wisdom for life can be found in the Bible. Fools forsake Scripture, but wise people saturate their minds with God’s Word.
Jesus Christ: Wisdom personified!
Finally, before I finish, as Christians we should always read the Old Testament with an eye to the New. So as we read about the life of King Solomon, the son of David, we should be trying to spot how it points us to a greater King – an even greater descendant of David – namely Jesus. And there’s no doubt that wisdom is ultimately found in Jesus, because the four Gospels present him as the ultimate wise man. After wall, Jesus taught in parables and proverbs, he spoke insightfully to his friends and his foes, and he was someone who consistently amazed crowds by his teaching.
In fact, Jesus even claimed to be wiser than King Solomon himself. And the rest of the New Testament confirms this to be true. In 1 Corinthians, for example, Jesus is described as God’s wisdom in human form. Christ was – and is – wisdom personified! And just as King Solomon’s wisdom brought blessing for his people, so Christ’s wisdom brings blessing for us Christians:
• As we follow his teaching we will make wise choices and be blessed.
• By faith in him and his righteousness we are redeemed.
• By Christ’s self-sacrifice and humility, millions of us are saved.
So you see, one definition of a Christian is someone wisely trusts Jesus for forgiveness – for forgiveness for all those times we’ve been foolish (or worse). A Christian is a person who follows the supremely wise King of kings. A Christian believer is blessed by the ultimate descendant of David!