Wisdom Through Obedience

In 2 Chronicles, God told Solomon that he could ask for anything he wanted and God would give it to him.

Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge.

God was pleased that Solomon requested wisdom rather than riches, honor or other things.

God granted Solomon great wisdom.

God also granted him the other things he could have asked for.

Word of Solomon’s wisdom spread throughout the land

It eventually reached the queen of Sheba.

She felt it necessary to test Solomon’s wisdom for herself.

2 Chronicles 9:1 (NET) - When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon, she came to challenge him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a great display of pomp, bringing with her camels carrying spices, a very large quantity of gold, and precious gems. She visited Solomon and discussed with him everything that was on her mind.

Solomon answered every one of her difficult questions.

Not a single question she posed was too difficult for him.

It was not only Solomon’s wisdom that impressed her.

2 Chronicles 9:3-4 (NET) - When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom, the palace he had built, the food in his banquet hall, his servants and attendants in their robes, his cupbearers in their robes, and his burnt sacrifices which he presented in the LORD’s temple, she was amazed.

The material things God gave Solomon obviously impressed the queen as well.

In the end, she did realize that wisdom was God’s greatest gift to Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:7-8 (NET) - Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy! May the LORD your God be praised because he favored you by placing you on his throne as the one ruling on his behalf! Because of your God’s love for Israel and his lasting commitment to them, he made you king over them so you could make just and right decisions.

Wisdom is one of God’s greatest gifts and it comes from obedience to Him.

The Psalmist understood this.

Psalm 19:7 (NET) - The law of the LORD is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the LORD are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

As a result, obedience to God is far more valuable than any riches the world has to offer.

The Psalmist understood this as well.

Psalm 19:9-10 (NET) - The commands to fear the LORD are right and endure forever. The judgments given by the LORD are trustworthy and absolutely just. They are of greater value than gold, than even a great amount of pure gold; they bring greater delight than honey, than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 17, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, February 24, 2017