The writer ascribes Solomon's motive for having many wives
to "love." He "loved many
foreign women", he "clung to these in love." In his old age they turned his heart from
being wholly devoted to Yahweh. Wouldn't
you ordinarily think that was a young man's problem? Solomon had it all, wisdom and wealth, but
did it ultimately do him any good at all?
He built altars and worshiped other gods because of his love for his
wives and for having done so is told by the Lord that his son will lose most of
the nation. Finishing well and avoiding
distractions are both important lessons to learn from Solomon's life. He chased after every distraction that came
along and never found satisfaction in the Lord Himself. In our day preachers often encourage us to
chase after the very things that ultimately led Solomon astray rather than
focusing on the Lord as the satisfaction of all our desires. I think the Shakers had it right, 'Tis the
gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free.
Pilate wanted to please the crowd so, even though they laid
no charge against Jesus worthy of crucifying Him, the governor gave Him over to
be crucified. Fear of man and the desire
to please men is a great temptation, it was the temptation that was responsible
for Solomon chasing after other gods, the desire to please his wives. Here, the crowd actually doesn't have any
idea why Jesus should be crucified, it had become a mob, collective stupidity
had taken over. The soldiers cruelly
mock and beat Jesus who willingly submits to their abuse, it is all part of
God's plan for redemption of the world.
Was the physical pain what Jesus wished to avoid in His prayer in the
Garden or was it the spiritual separation He was to endure? Perhaps it was also the temptation He would
face in this hour to respond and avoid the cross. He could have stepped fully into his identity
as one with the Father and the power that created all that is, was, or ever
shall be was available to Him to stop this chaotic mess but all mankind would
have been doomed to eternal death. Can
you imagine the love that denied Himself justice for our sake?
I love the phrase "the meekness of wisdom." I have been around too many self-styled
prophets who believe they have wisdom that is anything but meek, it is boastful,
arrogant and proud and here James says such wisdom is earthly, unspiritual and
demonic. Is that clear enough? In contrast he says, "wisdom from above
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good
fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness
is sown in peace by those who make peace."
How often do "prophets" today bring division rather than
peace, sow discord and strife? We have
too much of the world in the church today, too many who seek power and
influence in and through the church rather than humble service to God and the
church. That is true from the pulpit on
down through every person in the church.
We want to be recognized and lifted up when only one can be lifted up,
the one who laid it all down for love.
Let us drive this attitude from our midst, beginning in our own hearts.
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