Today's reading: Deuteronomy 28, 29; Galatians 6*
S) "27 The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamore trees that are in the lowland. 28 Also Solomon’s import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king’s merchants procured them from Kue for a price. 29 A chariot was imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver, and a horse for 150; and by the same means they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of the Arameans."
1 Kings 10:27-29 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Kings 10
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Kings 10
O) When I highlighted this as a warning, it was really by association. On the surface, this passage seems pretty great. Solomon was ushering into Israel, an era of great prosperity and influence. However, maybe because I'm reading through Deuteronomy as well and so it came to mind easily, this passage immediately reminded me of a warning that Moses gave in Deuteronomy 17:16-17, that the king of Israel should not increase silver and gold for himself, and he should not multiply his horses or return to Egypt to do so. In that same warning centuries earlier, the people were warned that their king should also not multiply wives for himself, else his heart be led astray. This is exactly what happened to Solomon, through his many foreign wives and concubines. While it's much more direct to highlight the warning from Deuteronomy to remember this lesson, the passage above also serves as a reminder that prosperity can look good on the surface, while also setting up a lot of problems, difficulties, and pitfalls.
A) On the one hand, I am not a king and I never will be. On the other hand, this concept extends beyond monarchies. There is no mistake that I lead a small group of people, even at least my own family. My wife is a believer, so our marriage is the smallest possible church, which is a portion of the kingdom of God. As my kids grow up as believers (Lord let it be so), then I effectively have a church that lives together. A small community of believers who live out their faith with each other, and I am in position leading them. In a spiritual way, I serve the function of a prince in God's greater kingdom, over my tiny jurisdiction. I don't have to concern myself with multiplying my wives, although the warning is still there that lust becomes idolatry. I don't have to worry about horses, per se, but what they represent in terms of power or influence certainly apply. There is a heavy warning against seeking influence and power like the world does (which is what is symbolized, I think, with Egypt). It would be good to be in position to influence people for the purposes of spreading the gospel, but that should always be done by seeking Jesus first, and letting Him direct me into position to do His work. The last warning is almost universally applicable, and that is to not seek wealth. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having an abundance of silver, but seeking to increase wealth comes with a whole host of problems. It's not that those problems cannot be overcome, but it seems foolish to seek something that is A) not necessary and B) risky.
P) Father, Your wisdom and plans are amazing to me. I will never fully know the depths of Your reasons for doing things the way You do. You see the heart of men, I see the outside. That is just another example of Your holiness, that You are different from me. In that way, I want to become holy as You are holy. It's not that I want to see the motivations of people, exactly, but I want to see when the motivations of people are unrighteous, and therefore should not be followed. In every way I want to be like Jesus, but I confess that I am weak and fail to do so. Jesus never had a savings account, but I feel compelled sometimes, pressured to "prepare" for problems. I don't want to have success the way the world defines it, though. Jesus never sought political advantage, even in strictly societal circles. Still, the world would have me believe that I must read books about how to lead and influence people. I know there is wisdom out there, still. I know there are people with decent, righteous advice. I don't want to miss that. So please give me discernment, to recognize what is wicked, foolish, and risky about how people do things. Help me to see good examples of righteousness, and follow those disciplines. Ultimately, help me focus more on the life of Jesus Christ directly, that I would seek to be more and more His disciple, living as He did. Help me to shun the world's way of thinking, about influence, sexuality, and money. Let me live for Your glory alone. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) On the one hand, I am not a king and I never will be. On the other hand, this concept extends beyond monarchies. There is no mistake that I lead a small group of people, even at least my own family. My wife is a believer, so our marriage is the smallest possible church, which is a portion of the kingdom of God. As my kids grow up as believers (Lord let it be so), then I effectively have a church that lives together. A small community of believers who live out their faith with each other, and I am in position leading them. In a spiritual way, I serve the function of a prince in God's greater kingdom, over my tiny jurisdiction. I don't have to concern myself with multiplying my wives, although the warning is still there that lust becomes idolatry. I don't have to worry about horses, per se, but what they represent in terms of power or influence certainly apply. There is a heavy warning against seeking influence and power like the world does (which is what is symbolized, I think, with Egypt). It would be good to be in position to influence people for the purposes of spreading the gospel, but that should always be done by seeking Jesus first, and letting Him direct me into position to do His work. The last warning is almost universally applicable, and that is to not seek wealth. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having an abundance of silver, but seeking to increase wealth comes with a whole host of problems. It's not that those problems cannot be overcome, but it seems foolish to seek something that is A) not necessary and B) risky.
P) Father, Your wisdom and plans are amazing to me. I will never fully know the depths of Your reasons for doing things the way You do. You see the heart of men, I see the outside. That is just another example of Your holiness, that You are different from me. In that way, I want to become holy as You are holy. It's not that I want to see the motivations of people, exactly, but I want to see when the motivations of people are unrighteous, and therefore should not be followed. In every way I want to be like Jesus, but I confess that I am weak and fail to do so. Jesus never had a savings account, but I feel compelled sometimes, pressured to "prepare" for problems. I don't want to have success the way the world defines it, though. Jesus never sought political advantage, even in strictly societal circles. Still, the world would have me believe that I must read books about how to lead and influence people. I know there is wisdom out there, still. I know there are people with decent, righteous advice. I don't want to miss that. So please give me discernment, to recognize what is wicked, foolish, and risky about how people do things. Help me to see good examples of righteousness, and follow those disciplines. Ultimately, help me focus more on the life of Jesus Christ directly, that I would seek to be more and more His disciple, living as He did. Help me to shun the world's way of thinking, about influence, sexuality, and money. Let me live for Your glory alone. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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