Click to read 1 Kings 4
Synopsis
Solomon organized his government with 11 high officials that had specific responsibilities and 12 district governors under a supervising governor. This was essential for the proper functioning of the nation and for maintaining the government's effectiveness. This chapter records the details of this structure and we have interesting lessons to learn.
Major Verses
V1-2 - Solomon was well organized and he was wise to do so. The structure he put in place allowed his government to rule the nation effectively.
What I learn
Good organization helps people to God for wisdom to organize our family, our work team, our church team and enjoy success. We must ask God for wisdom to help us organize our life. He will surely answer.
V20-25 - Solomon had the wisdom to rule the nation as he had sought God. As a result, the nation enjoyed a golden era and was considered as the ideal that any nation can become when united in their trust and obedience to God. The fruits of applying God's wisdom are security, peace, prosperity and abundance for all.
What I learn
We must put our trust in God and to obey Him in order to be successful in life. Our success is totally dependent upon God and not our own capability or strength.
Summary
Solomon applied the wisdom that God gave him and as a result, Israel was at its peak as a nation. When a nation trusts and obeys God, it will prosper. And it the same for us all.
Coming up next..
Solomon starts to build the temple for God in the next chapter. Let's learn together next week...coming up on 19th Nov.
Synopsis
Solomon organized his government with 11 high officials that had specific responsibilities and 12 district governors under a supervising governor. This was essential for the proper functioning of the nation and for maintaining the government's effectiveness. This chapter records the details of this structure and we have interesting lessons to learn.
Major Verses
V1-2 - Solomon was well organized and he was wise to do so. The structure he put in place allowed his government to rule the nation effectively.
What I learn
Good organization helps people to God for wisdom to organize our family, our work team, our church team and enjoy success. We must ask God for wisdom to help us organize our life. He will surely answer.
V20-25 - Solomon had the wisdom to rule the nation as he had sought God. As a result, the nation enjoyed a golden era and was considered as the ideal that any nation can become when united in their trust and obedience to God. The fruits of applying God's wisdom are security, peace, prosperity and abundance for all.
What I learn
We must put our trust in God and to obey Him in order to be successful in life. Our success is totally dependent upon God and not our own capability or strength.
Summary
Solomon applied the wisdom that God gave him and as a result, Israel was at its peak as a nation. When a nation trusts and obeys God, it will prosper. And it the same for us all.
Coming up next..
Solomon starts to build the temple for God in the next chapter. Let's learn together next week...coming up on 19th Nov.
Ever heard the comment “pride before the fall?” It comes from “PR 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” I commented in the previous posting that God tests a man as much by his success as he does by his mistakes.
ReplyDeletePR 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
2CH 26:16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.
Here we see the blessing of God on Solomon. Will he still be successful all the days of his life or just at the beginning? What about us? Here is the command of God to Joshua: “JOS 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Here is the command to us: “MT 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What a scary thing to be blessed by God and presume that you don’t need to be careful to obey all the law. So many people disappear from church when God blesses them as they conclude “no need lah.” Its so easy to deceive ourselves – I would rather be like the apostle Paul who worked even more for God when he was blessed: 1CO 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
Bless God - Pastor Peter.
More comments anyone?