Solomon and Sheba

Synopsis     1Kings 9:26-10:9     4/17/2019 

In addition to all of his other accomplishments, Solomon built of a fleet of ships. He stationed them on the Red Sea. And Hiram, king of Tyre, once again helped Solomon with the expertise he needed to train his own men. This fleet went on exploits that greatly enriched Solomon and all of Israel. 

After this, the Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon. Among other things, she had heard of his remarkable wisdom. And she was aware of the extraordinary accomplishments that were taking place throughout Israel. So, she came to see it for herself. 

She riddled the king with difficult questions to test his knowledge. And she toured the land and shared meals at his court. In the end, she came to admire Solomon and concluded that his reputation was well-deserved. Finally, she blessed the Lord that he had established Solomon as king over Israel. 

Solomon and Sheba 

It’s somewhat curious that the royal leader of an ancient land like the Queen of Sheba would seek out the royal leader of another land like King Solomon. 

Solomon was the ruler of Israel. And this was no easy task. In his reign, God used him to clarify and reinvigorate the vision of Israel’s role in the world. Truth be told, not many people in Israel could actually relate to the everyday challenge of living life with both the resources and obstacles that he faced every day. 

The Queen of Sheba came looking for answers from a peer. She arrived both hopeful, but also a bit skeptical. Yet the result of her experience was validation from a peer and the encouragement to rule wisely.   

The Validation of Peers 

No matter what you do in life, there are usually other people who are doing something similar.  These people constitute your peer group. Engineers tend to recognize and value their relationships with other engineers. Scientist do a similar thing with other scientists. Fashion designers and police officers and thrift shoppers all share peer groups – people who have in common some certain kind of work.  

And because peers share certain insights into the nature of their common work, their relationships tend to focus on the work. Bakers talk to other bakers about baking. Pastors talk to other ministers about ministering. And as a result, peer relationships can be very meaningful.  

If I did work that was so unique that there were few other people who even understood it, life might seem a little bit lonely. We all need to relate to our peers.  

So, here’s a question: Who is your nearest Christian peer?  

Who do you talk to about the challenges of following Jesus? And with whom do you share your insights when God gives an epiphany. Or who do you call when you are suddenly overwhelmed with joy? 

Remember that The Way is a community of peers. Jesus came in the flesh as a man. Part of this was to allow us to relate better to Him – to receive Him as a peer.  

Though He was without sin, yet He shares in the challenges of our daily life. And so, He is relatable.  

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” Heb 4:15 

Solomon’s Forced Labor

Synopsis     1Kings 9:15-25     4/13/2019 

During his reign, Solomon completed many large building projects. These included the temple and his palace. But also included were projects that bolstered Jerusalem’s defenses, and various cities around the kingdom. Additionally, he formed a large standing army. 

In order to accomplish his construction goals, he required vast amounts of labor. And he obtained this by developing a system of forced labor.  

In this system, he apparently relied on Israelites to man the army and on resident aliens to work construction. He had developed a large system of overseers to ensure the laborers completed their work.  

Solomon’s Forced Labor 

Solomon loved God. He built Him a house. And God accepted this. 

But Solomon used the labor of others – sometimes without compensation. Of course, in the mode of ancient economy, his accomplishments could not have been achieved in another way.   And, along the way, he clearly enhanced the common good as Jerusalem became a center of culture and worship.

Still, the record of forced labor stands like an omen. The writer specifically mentioned the use of forced labor for a reason. 

The Labor of Others 

Here’s an observation: I should not take for granted the effort necessary to create value. 

So, I have a habit. I tend to accept value too glibly. I say, “please” and “thank you” because that’s how I was trained as a child. But this isn’t necessarily because I choose to respect and appreciate the people in my life.

Of course I’m glad for manners. Living in a house with seven children has taught me that even perfunctory manners are better than being rude. But the fact is that, too often, other people create and bring value into my life without my thinking very much about them. 

It’s a dangerous habit.  

Value exchange is the basis for most all human relationship. I create value and share it with others. Likewise, others create value and share it with me. And whether the sharing is the result of a gift or a marketplace, doesn’t really matter.  

Meaningful relationship always relies on the experience of shared value.  

So, when I consume value but forget the person who created the value, I fail. I fail the possibility of relationship. And so, I fail to recognize the meaning of the moments I’m given.  

“Those who oppress the poor revile their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.” Prov 14:31 

Disappointed Hiram

Synopsis     1Kings 9:6-14     4/15/2019 

God had come to Solomon in a dream. After He confirmed the covenantal promise to keep David’s house on the throne of Israel, He warned Solomon. God specifically told him that should his descendants fail the terms of the covenant, then He would likewise abandon them. 

It took Solomon twenty years to complete both the temple and his palace. Throughout this time, Hiram, king of Tyre, had supplied Solomon with the raw materials he needed to complete the projects. In exchange for these materials, Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the region of Galilee. However, Hiram felt disappointed when he finally went out to see the cities. Accordingly, he sent a message conveying his disappointment to Solomon.

Disappointed Hiram

Hiram ruled over Tyre. This city was an important center of trade that would eventually become the center of Phoenician influence in the Mediterranean. Hiram was shrewd man. And he was experienced in acquiring wealth. 

For this reason, Hiram had initially formed an allied relationship with King David. And this relationship he likewise extended to Solomon as David’s son. 

Solomon wanted Jerusalem to become a center of culture and worship. And this worked well with Hiram’s plans to become a center of commerce. So, Hiram supported King Solomon’s massive construction efforts in exchange for rule over a group of Galilean cities pledged by Solomon for the purpose.  

Apparently, Hiram only inspected the cities after he had already supplied Solomon’s requirements for raw materials. But once he finally visited the region, he expressed disappointment. He concluded that they were not as valuable as he had hoped. And so, he felt slighted.

Disappointment 

Disappointment is a hard feeling. Part of what makes it so disturbing is that, like Hiram, I sometimes feel disappointed even when I have received exactly what I bargained for.

Of course, everyone’s going to feel disappointed sometime. But getting stuck in disappointment can be debilitating. So, what should I do with the feeling of disappointment?

Keep in mind, all disappointment is a form of pain. And like other kinds of pain, the experience is more or less painful based on trauma. What makes an already painful event traumatic is its unexpectedness combined with the sense that something irredeemable has been lost.  

Like so many other struggles, the key for me to get through disappointment is to return my focus to the present.

Because, in the present, there are only ever three things: Me, and some other person who is to be loved – and the God of all Creation who has brought the two of us together. 

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” Jer 29:11 

Israel Something Special

Synopsis     1Kings 8:64-9:5     4/11/2019 

Solomon feasted in Jerusalem with the elders of Israel for eight days. Earlier, he had called the people together to dedicate the new temple. And so, the nation celebrated this extraordinary feast of dedication. 

The people celebrated with good reason. Under Solomon’s reign, Israel’s kingdom expanded to its largest size ever. And the army of Israel was formidable. And now, the temple was complete.  

It would attract visitors and worshippers from around the world. Most importantly, the temple and the nation would begin filling its evangelical role of introducing the God of Israel to all the world as the Creator of the Universe. 

After all this, God once again spoke with Solomon. As He did, God confirmed His covenant with the House of David as long as the king’s sons remained faithful. 

Israel Something Special 

Israel’s claim has always been that the Israelites were a Chosen People. In other words, they were something special. As God’s chosen, they were imbued with a sense of purpose. The children of Israel understood themselves to be an essential part of God’s plan for the world.  

And this sense felt good. The Israelites enjoyed living in the kingdom under King Solomon. They enjoyed the special presence of God. And they enjoyed the flourishing culture that came with abundant blessings.

Similarly, they enjoyed feeling a visceral part of the construction of the Temple and of King’s Solomon’s palace. They were a national pride. And they served as a symbol both God’s blessings and of Israel’s extraordinary achievements. 

Jesus Something Special 

I feel good when I go out into the coolness of the morning and the sun suddenly lands on my back. That’s a good feeling. It’s actually a great feeling. It’s pure joy. 

It was like that when I met Jesus for the first time. Everything about Jesus is so exceedingly awesome that beginning our relationship was like the sun on my back. Indescribably satisfying. And in that moment, I wished the moment would never end.  

Look, I’m going to be blunt. Sometimes people in the Christian tradition convey the misguided understanding that relationship with God is somehow a cheerless drudgery anchored only by the distant hope that someday I’ll make it to heaven. What’s more, if it’s not a drudgery, then it’s somehow suspicious. 

Reject this. The apostle wrote: “Now is the day of God’s favor. Now is the day of salvation.” So, enjoy this day.

And, give yourself permission to soak in the son. 

“But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1Peter 2:9 

Solomon’s Action

Synopsis     1Kings 8:54-63     4/9/2019 

As he dedicated the new temple, Solomon prayed on his knees. And then, after his prayer was finished, he rose from his place in front of the new bronze altar.  Afterward, he turned toward the people and declared God’s faithfulness to Israel. 

He admonished the people to remain wholly devoted to the Lord. And he offered communion offerings to the Lord on the new altar. The sacrifice was an enormous offering of oxen and sheep.  

Solomon’s Contemplation and Action 

What’s clear from Solomon”s prayer is that he knew God’s word as it was expressed in the Law of Moses. And his reflection, especially at the occasion of the dedication of the new temple, led him through the traditional moments of Lectio Divina, or “Sacred Reading”. 

His reflection represented a kind of meditation. And this was followed by expressed adoration. Finally, following a moment of contemplation, he rose and began acting through the process of his sacrificial offerings.  

Contemplation and Action 

There’s this debate with certain Catholic friends. Am I an active person or a contemplative person?  

It’s not that there isn’t some merit to the reflection. A person could have tendencies and dispositions that lean one way or the other. And it’s not wrong to think that each of us has a charism that can be described as contemplative or active. Even the religious orders often use such terminology to describe their various ways of life. 

But Lectio remains available to all. And maybe it’s better to say that Lectio is necessary for each of us as Christ-followers.

But for me, Lectio needs to lead to Actio.

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” James 1:22  

Solomon’s Anticipation

Synopsis     1Kings 8:46-53     4/8/2019 

King Solomon knelt before the altar of God. It was the day of the dedication. And Solomon had opened the new temple for worship. Remarkably, God’s presence filled the holy place in the form of an overwhelming cloud. 

And so, Solomon prayed to the God of Israel. He prayed for the nation. And he even prayed in anticipation of Israel’s future failures. As had been prophesied about them, Solomon prayed that when the people were dispersed from the land for their own disobedience, that they would remember God. So, Solomon petitioned God to remember His chosen people and restore them. 

Solomon’s Anticipation 

In his wisdom, Solomon knew that the people would fail the covenant. Accordingly, he prayed that God would forgive future generations as they sinned and failed.

A Parent’s Anticipation

I haven’t always been very faithful. Actually, I’m still not all that faithful.  

But Solomon’s anticipation reminds me that my children will also, one day, fail. It’s not a pleasant thought. I don’t want them to experience the shame and pain of moral failure.

But still, the day is coming when they will fail. And when they do, I will pray for them.

The good news is that I don’t have to wait. I can start now.  

“Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread” Matt  7:9 

Temple for All

Synopsis     1Kings 8:37-45     4/5/2019 

Solomon prayed at the inauguration of the temple.  His prayer was that the people would use the temple as a place of repentance. And that whenever the people sinned and then repented at the temple, Solomon prayed that God would forgive them.  

He also prayed that God would listen to foreigners who prayed toward the temple. And he expressed his hope that all the world would come to know God and revere him.  

Finally, Solomon prayed for the armies of Israel. Specifically, he asked that when they go out to the field, and yet pray toward the city, that God would hear them and uphold their cause.  

Temple Open to All 

Solomon wanted foreigners to pray to God at the temple he had built. And he wanted God to answer their prayers. He wanted foreigners to come to Israel. 

In the ancient world, foreigners were often viewed with suspicion. Local peoples were commonly wary of the motivations and intentions of foreign transients. They worried that if foreign people were given the chance, they would take advantage of the local people and then disappear beyond the reach of justice. Or worse, they feared that foreign visitors might be spies canvassing the land in order to identify weaknesses and spoils and then return with a foreign army.  

The technical term for this is xenophobia. Literally it means, the fear of Xenophon – who was a great general from ancient Greece. People feared him and refused to receive his armies except under duress. 

But Solomon did not seem affected by these fears. Instead, he was secure in the promises of God. And so, he was remarkably open to foreign visitors without fear of the evil they might do. 

 Jesus Open to All 

My nature is to be quiet. And I’m ok with being alone. I’m socially awkward. And I don’t make friends easily. On top of all that, I’m wary and I don’t like to be fooled or disappointed.  

And all of these are great reasons not to mention Jesus to the people I encounter in everyday life.  

But Jesus is for everyone.  

So, though I really don’t like to admit it, in my flesh I’m a modern xenophobe. But the possibility of my life is in becoming a modern Solomon.  

“When they heard this, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, “God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.” Acts 11:18 

Temple Meeting

Synopsis     1Kings 8:27-36     4/4/2019 

As God’s overwhelming presence filled the newly dedicated temple, Solomon prayed.  

His prayer acknowledged the greatness of God. And in his prayer, Solomon made clear that no house could actually contain God. Instead, God intended this house to be a meeting place. Though the new temple was much larger, its role was the same as the tent of meeting had previously served. 

As such, Solomon prayed that both God and men would meet for the same purposes. He prayed that the temple would be a place for discernment in justice. And he prayed that it would serve as a place of repentance, mercy and forgiveness.  

Temple Meeting 

Solomon recognized that the people needed a place to meet God. Their need was born out of their distinctive desire that the God of all creation should actually dwell with them in community. But even then, Solomon and the people realized that the God of all creation couldn’t be contained by the things He created. God is bigger than the “heavens and the highest heavens”. He doesn’t need a house on earth. And none could hold Him even if he did.

Accordingly, like the Tent of Meeting before it, Solomon’s Temple was for the people. It gave the Israelites the place they needed to relate to God. 

Meeting Places 

I think monastics are on to something. A basic tenant of their lifestyle is that they remain in the same community for long periods of time. And they call this “stability”. Basically, it means that they choose to stay put. 

In this system, place and time are more closely related ideas. Monks and nuns pray together as a community – on time and in a sacred place. And they eat together –  on time in a common place.  This is the structure of their days.

So, part of the power of this lifestyle is that they become conditioned based on time and location. Like an athlete whose whole being becomes activated once they enter the arena, monastics adapt spiritually, mentally and physically to their routine of daily activities. 

Still, God is everywhere. And, it really is possible to encounter Him in any set of circumstances. What’s more, he’s clearly not only in monasteries or church buildings.

But I find that when I am “everywhere doing everything” – busy like I am most days – I lapse in my seeking for God. The truth is, in the patina of modern culture, there’s not very much that overtly provokes me to see God. And an additional truth is, I’m much more subject to distraction than I would like to admit.

Now, perhaps that’s just me in my particular weakness. But somehow I suspect that I’m not alone.

In the end, we have this knowledge that God has made his special and true presence available for my benefit. And, it’s right down the street. God is manifest there. He is given so that I might have the place to meet and fellowship with my friend and the lover of my soul. 

“They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God” Luke 24:52 

Solomon’s Place in the Promise

Synopsis     1Kings 8:17-26     4/3/2019 

Solomon directed the installation of the ark into the new temple. He had it placed in the holiest room. And then, the temple suddenly filled with the cloud of God’s glory. The experience of the glory was so intense that the priests could not enter the temple house to minister.  

Yet, Solomon responded by offering praise. And he reflected on the marvel of God’s wisdom. God had chosen him as the builder. He had not chosen King David, his father, to build. But instead, this work had fallen on Solomon to complete.

And Solomon also praised God for His faithfulness to the covenant promises He had made to King David.  

Solomon’s Place in the Promise 

Solomon understood his role as king in the context of the covenants his predecessors had made.  God and King David had made certain covenants. And, even before that, God had made covenants with Moses, and Abraham, and Noah. All of these men had made promises to God and each had received promises from God. And, these promises formed the basis for Solomon’s sense of purpose and mission.  

So, knowing about the covenants put Solomon in a unique position. He knew his role. And he knew it as distinct from even his father David.

David was a mighty warrior who unified and led Israel. In his lifetime, he emancipated Israel from subjugation under the Philistines. And he managed to carve out an empire for his son to rule. 

But Solomon’s role was different. His job was to build a temple as the center of Israelite culture and worship. And he ruled largely in peace. Still, both David and Solomon’s purpose and mission fit within the context of the same covenants.  

My Place in the Promises 

I am a Christ-follower.  

So, my purpose and role in life comes from this context. For this reason, my successes or failures are measurable only against this standard.  

If you are a Christ-follower, then it’s likely this is how you also understand your context. God called you before the beginning of time to meet the challenges of this day as a disciple of Jesus the Messiah. And this is enough. 

“The one who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ Then he said, ‘Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me, ‘They are accomplished. I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.’” Rev 21:5-6 

Temple Validation

Synopsis     1Kings 8:6-16     4/2/2019 

With the construction complete, Solomon began the process of commissioning the new temple. So first, he directed the priests to bring the ark of the covenant into the temple. And once they had done this, they installed the ark in the holy of holy places. In fact, they placed it directly beneath the wings of the two cherubim statues that Solomon had made. 

And then, the cloud of God’s presence suddenly filled the new temple. It was so overwhelming that the priests could not remain in the house. So, they stopped ministering.  

But Solomon recognized this as a sign that God had chosen to dwell in the new house. So, he was overjoyed. Accordingly, he turned to bless the people. And then, he proclaimed the goodness of God out loud. And he specifically recounted the promise that God had made to his father King David.  

Validation of Solomon’s Temple 

It’s hard to imagine what this moment may have meant to Solomon. He had made the commitment of resources and time. He spent vast amounts on precious metals and stone and wood. He commissioned the effort of the finest craftsmen available. In a way, he had committed the credibility of his entire administration on this goal.

Solomon had spent these enormous riches on the construction of the temple believing that God would be pleased with his effort. So, during all this time, Solomon believed that God would choose to dwell in the house that he had constructed.  

But Solomon was human. He was subject to the great “what if?”. What if he had done something wrong? What if God rejected his efforts? What would he do? 

And then that day came. The work was completed. And all of the sudden, God entered the temple in glory.  

And this was Solomon’s validation. The temple was valid. His effort was not in vain. So, it was naturally a moment of great rejoicing. And it was moment of personal validation for Solomon. In it, he knew that he had pleased the God of all Creation. 

Personal Validation 

As you walk in the way, you will occasionally encounter moments of validation. God will give you an insight into your situation. And with that, you’ll realize in a deeper way that God really is engaged in your life.  

The sovereignty of God over your life is an implied truth. Most likely, you have already accepted this truth by way of God’s revealing in both the word and in tradition. But, in this moment of personal validation, you will experience it viscerally – as an affection.  

This is the consolation of the Lord. It is a validation and an encouragement. You cannot do anything to evoke it. Instead, God gives it as a gift in a moment entirely of His choosing for your maximum benefit.  

So, enjoy this gift when it comes. And by it, be assured of God’s faithfulness even when it seems absent.  

When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its explanation, he bowed down. Then returning to the camp of Israel, he said, “Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your power.” Judges 7:15