Jesus, The Treasure of all Wisdom (190/365)

Christ in 1 & 2 Kings

Facilitated by Ptr Joedy

As leaders, and as kings, wisdom is crucial and definitely critical in our lives – in every decision we make, every choice we are brought to, wisdom is needed. Miracles may be good and all, but it’s wisdom that sustains us. It’s something that we can ask for – James said it.

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Colossians 2:1-3

Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘change is good’? Well, no matter how change is executed – abrupt or over generations, we will still need wisdom to see us through the changes. Unfortunately, people respond and react to change differently. Some people cringe at change in the name of comfort, and some stand against it in the name of tradition. But just as wisdom is necessary in choices, well, it is wisdom to understand that change is inevitable.

In observing change we move towards the new, and we forget the former things. Throughout Scripture we see change happening – God executes changes as well, and we would do well to move on to what He has made new, versus what we used to be doing. At one point things were so twisted to the point that the people, sticking to the past, were doing things absolutely opposite to what change was to lead them to. Songs of joy were sung, but they did not dance. And when a dirge was sung, they were rejoicing.

When people refuse to change, then that is unwise. John the Baptist was the last prophet, the personification of the Old Testament, preparing the way for Christ, who is the firstborn of the New Creation. Note that people easily followed John the Baptist, but there’s a big chance that they stayed with what John had to say, no longer listening to Whom he was introducing – the One who matters, Jesus Christ! And what’s worse is even if they do try to listen to Christ, it wouldn’t be of any good if their hearts would not take in what He had to share: They were, indeed, as old wineskins trying to hold in new wine – living, breathing conflict.

The manifestations of the wisdom of God are seen in the absolute glory of Solomon. Unfortunately, things were certain to turn around when the kings and the people turn away from the Lord: glory turns to ashes, peace turns to chaos, freedom turns to captivity, entrance turns to expulsion/exile.

1 Kings begins with the reign of King Solomon (Chapters 1-12), and it records the tragic dividing of the Kingdom and ends with Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah (13-22). 2 Kings beings with the death of Ahaziah, records Israel’s last days (15:8-31) and captivity and exile to Assyria (15:32-17:1) and ends with Judah’s kings, fall, captivity and exile to Babylon.

But let’s go back to King Solomon’s life: Jesus is seen in this wise King’s life three ways: We see the Wisdom of God, the Message of God, and the Presence of God.

Jesus and Solomon’s Wisdom

We see in 1 Kings 3:7-9, the famous request of King Solomon to God in a dream. More than treasures and power, he asked for wisdom, for he is as a child, and he openly admitted that doesn’t know everything. It’s this sort of humility that serves as the precursor to wisdom, and if I may add, peace beyond understanding. In verses 12-13 God responds by saying that He will certainly give Solomon wisdom, but also everything else he did not ask for.

A little later in the chapter (verses 23-28), Solomon is already faced with his first dilemma: the squabble between the two prostitutes over who was the mother of a baby brought to him. In his wisdom, he first listened to both accounts, and proceeded to take a sword, saying that he would slice the baby in half for both mothers to have an equal piece. It was in the response of the ladies that the true mother was determined, and Solomon’s wisdom was seen.

Solomon listened, and he had compassion on everyone – signs, again, of the humility that preceded wisdom. It is in humility that we understand the Lord’s willingness and ability to provide much more than what we ask for, and it’s in humility that we lead with compassion, as Solomon did, and as Christ did. Compassion is always wisdom.

Jesus and Solomon’s Ministry

We understand Christ is in us, and as the Word says, He is our Hope of Glory – There is nothing more glorious than Christ. His Word reaches the nations, just as back in Solomon’s day, his wisdom drew nations to him.

‘From all nations people came to listen to Solomon, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.’

1 Kings 4:29-34

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God .

1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-24

I have reason to believe that Solomon showed what it meant to have the power of God and the wisdom of God alive in him.

Jesus and Solomon’s Glorious Temple

In the power and wisdom of Solomon, he was able to build a temple to God, one that would never be matched. Through the grace and the glory of God, Jesus Christ established us as temples of the Holy Spirit. “In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Because of God’s wisdom, Solomon’s ministry reached the world! A temple was built, the Proverbs were written – this was, indeed, God’s wisdom, and not false knowledge that tries and fails to stand on its own! For see, the temple was built, in all its glory, purposed to worship God. And with regards to the Proverbs, we can see all of it summarized, condensed in what was written in Proverbs 3: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

How, therefore, can we know that we walk in God’s wisdom? I thought I was going to cringe, but I like what Pastor Joedy had to share. For people who have the wisdom of God:

They appropriate God’s grace by faith
They walk in love.
They walk in forgiveness.
They walk in generosity.
They share God’s word seasoned with grace. // Slow to speak, quick to listen.
They lead people to Christ.

Right on, I say. The wisdom of God has its roots in humility, generosity, and compassion – Christ was the one who humbled Himself in giving EVERYTHING of Himself, out of His compassion for ALL of us.

King of Kings, indeed.

That’s where this session ends. I thought we’d have the rest of it discussed next meeting but apparently we’ll be touching base when we hit the books of the Prophets.

May the King of Kings continue to bless us all.