Articles
Wisdom and Obedience - 1Kings 4
Wisdom and Obedience - 1Kings 4
In chapter 3, Solomon asks not for riches or honor but for wisdom that he might be able to lead God’s people. God responded by giving him a ‘wise and discerning heart’. “Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:29-30).
God ALSO warned Solomon: “If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days." (1 Kings 3:14). This warning had been given to him by David, his father: 3 "Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' (1 Kings 2:3-4). Solomon knew and understood this for he repeats it (1Kings 8:23,
The problem is that knowing is not doing. God gave him wisdom but God did not take away his will. Solomon thus KNEW BETTER but did not DO BETTER. He made a great start but did not continue. [Pay attention as you continue to read about Solomon and make note of how many times he did not walk in the LORD’s ways].
So it is with many even now. The LORD has provided for our wisdom. Many have memorized great passages on the need for faithfulness, obedience, and singleness of heart in serving God only to follow the path of Solomon in disobedience. Like Solomon, we usually know better but simply fail to do better.
Such failure does not need to be the end, for God has provided for our return through repentance, the returning to God will all our heart and soul (cp. 1Kings 8:48). Our faithfulness will not be found in our sinlessly perfect living, but in our returning to God when we have fallen short. As the Lord instructed the churches in Revelation: "Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent" (Revelation 2:5, see also 2:16, 22; 3:3, 19).
Have you made mistakes? Have you known better but sinned anyway? There is still hope to be found by returning to God in repentance.
Hugh DeLong
