Not Me!
 
Proverbs 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.
 
YOU’VE probably noticed that the human heart is good with the “blame game”. You know. It is that game we play when we make a mistake. Something bad happens from our error, and we quickly shift any responsibility for our actions onto someone or something else. Some, for example, blame their money problems on people who charge too much interest. They forget they have chosen to buy things on credit or borrow the money from the company to use as they desire.
   Even more, to blame is not merely shifting responsibility. It is to condemn and judge. To criticize or charge someone simply to avoid your responsibility is an arrogance that avoids confession and responsibility.
   “Blame” thinking certainly is too common in our relationship with God. If we act against God’s Word – sin – then find ourselves in difficult circumstances, we naturally want to blame God for our problems. We see this throughout Scripture. Remember Cain, Ham, Esau, Saul – and yes, even David and Solomon – to understand how sin put each into very difficult, even life-threatening circumstances. All knew God’s laws. God loved them and urged them to follow his rules: “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:6-7) God gave Cain the way to a good life. The Father wanted the best for his son. His desire was the same and is the same for each person born. Yet, most of us are like Cain. We will in some way suffer greatly form their sin if we blame God, or we blame others for our problems.
   The difference with David was his repentance. We’ll see how Solomon responded to God’s judgment on his bad choices. But we know there was a good deal of despondency and emptiness in Solomon’s life because he pursued pleasure above his own wisdom.
   Yes, there are many things that harm our lives. It doesn’t take long in most conversations to hear of some trouble or heartache people are experiencing. Some wonder, “Where’s God? Why doesn’t he care for me?” Others see their own responsibility to say, “God is with me. I trust his presence in my life to care for me even in this pain I suffer.”
   Is blame somewhere in your heart? Then it’s time to confront it and ask God to heal you. Put aside your charges against others or against God. Take responsibility for injuries you have caused others. Listen to God’s teachings you may have rejected and allow them to change your heart. As you read the proverbs’ wisdom, may the Holy Spirit awaken you to confess a sin and open a more intimate relationship with God.

Proverbs 15:15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
 
THE hostess has prepared a great meal of fresh vegetables, a nice piece of meat, fresh fruit and delicious dessert. One of her two guests shows little regard for the meal. He complains about not enough carrots and too many peaches. He wants his meat cooked longer. He wonders aloud why the hostess had pie instead of cake for dessert. The unhappy guest feels he deserves to be at the meal, so he should be treated to his satisfaction.
   The other guest praises the food. He doesn’t particularly like his meat as well as other food, but he tells his hostess how wonderful it tastes. He compliments her on the other food and presentation of the meal. The happy guest knows he did nothing special to be invited to the meal. So he is blessed to be there and eager to let others know. To whom do you think the hostess will offer a second helping first? Who do you think will rise from the table satisfied? Which guest will be invited for another meal?
   Which guest are you? Do you see life as what people owe you or as what God gives to you? Do you believe you deserve all you have and should have more? Or are you grateful you have anything at all? Do you grumble aloud or in your heart that God owes you much more than you have? Or do you thankfully receive his offerings, even if they are not exactly what you desire?
   The despondent heart views life as “I have to.” The grateful heart views life as “I get to.” I remember talking with someone who was moving soon from her lifelong family home. Her attitude was relaxed and happy. She was looking forward to the next serving God had for her and her husband. She was ready for a new feast with her Father. How happy we are when we are grateful for what we have and anticipate the next offering God has for us. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. (Matthew 5:5)
 

 

Proverbs 7:4-5 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. 5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.
 
DO you ever think about the “stupid” things you’ve done? Occasionally a moment, a word, a person or a circumstance will remind me of a mistake I’ve made, and I’ll say to myself, “I should have known better.” In those thoughts, I am embarrassed with myself and regret how I have misjudged or hurt someone. How easy to think: I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. (Proverbs 30:2)  As Solomon spoke to mean against the evil of connecting with a promiscuous woman, he may have verbalized the stupid, regretful moments in his life to allow his feelings, not wisdom, to instruct him. Yes, stay at home and remain pure. Adultery is deadly.
   And this teaching is more than instruction against physical sin. Let’s expand the Teacher’s words to consider all sin as “an adultery of unfaithfulness to God”. Sin is a fruit of little faith in God’s commands. It is a sign we have much to learn of God’s truth. Sin is human feelings overriding God’s knowledge, and we decide to mock God’s commands.
   That’s why we must love wisdom like a sister. This is not a sibling love – although that is to be a good, strong love. “Sister” can refer to one’s wife. Solomon is teaching men to love wisdom as they love the one they married, the one to whom they must be devoted. We are to love wisdom with a heart captured with its beauty. Know how precious wisdom is as God’s gift to enrich your life. And you will resist adultery of the flesh and adultery in your relationship with God. Your feelings for wisdom and knowledge will be stronger than your desire for stupid things.
   When God’s wisdom fills your mind, you will discover a faithful peace in your heart. Temptations will not reach your eyes or ears because your love for God is a shield around you.
   Such a faithful love relationship with God begins with faith, doesn’t it? In your heart, you believe what God is teaching you. Your faith knows God’s right ways are a great blessing to your life. Your faith knows he is your faithful husband who has made you his bride.
      
 
 

Proverbs 9:7-9 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don't bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
 
HOW sad it is for those who mock the things that are right. We look around, sometimes even in the mirror, and can easily find people with attitudes that reject the common good. It could be someone who makes loud noises at night in your neighborhood when the right thing to do is be quiet while others may be sleeping. Mockers break the driving rules on the highway. The disobedient reject civil laws regarding rights of property. The thieves, liars and covetous of the world cause dismay and even fear among the lawful. How do we respond to the mockers?
   The proverb teaches us that the wise person is silent toward the mocker and instructive to the wise. Does this seem right? Rule breakers and rebels need to be told what to do. Who will instruct them if the wise remain silent? As with a number of the Bible’s teachings, this doesn’t seem to be practical or be right when we first read it. Let’s then understand this from God’s Kingdom view.
   The Living Word, Jesus, taught this same lesson in Matthew 7:6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” And he said it this way in Matthew 15:13-14 “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” 
   The Holy Spirit teaches in Proverbs and the gospel that there are people who will never know the Truth. And there always will be people who desire to grow daily in the wisdom and discipline of the LORD. These teachings call for us to first look at our own lives. Is there some way(s) we are mocking God’s Word? Are we prone to be deaf to those parts of the Bible that offend us because they point to our sin?
   Our first step, of course, is to receive God’s wisdom in our minds and hearts. We are to also teach, admonish and even rebuke those who are wrong. Yet, there is a point when we must be quiet and allow God to work in his will.
   Our words for the mockers must be prayer and mercy. You do not have the power to change hearts. But you do have the command to pray and intercede for those who must know the right way. Keep planting the truth. Know when to move on from the deaf ears, so the listening ears will receive God’s wisdom. 
 

 

Read Proverbs 1:1-7, 22:17-21
 
Proverbs 1:2-3 The purpose of the proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
 
THE opening words of Proverbs tells their purpose: to teach wisdom and discipline and to live disciplined and successful lives. It is interesting Solomon used “discipline” twice.
   Solomon was using “discipline” in its meaning of instruction and precision. As we look back to our previous lesson, we remember how Wisdom is a central force of God’s creation and our own re-created lives in Christ Jesus. God’s wise creative power became reality because God was disciplined in his own rules. He established the way of a good universe. Then he precisely followed his ordered way.
   A wise, disciplined life is steadfast in line with God’s truth. Solomon wrote these proverbs to tell us what to know and how to live it. God’s gifted Wisdom Writer knew from experience how a lack of discipline would bring trouble and discouragement to his life. Although he had the wisdom to avoid the sexual temptations that harmed him, he was undisciplined, and he did not resist. Truth is useless when we lack discipline to live it. The world says there is freedom only in each person doing as he pleases. But the lack of discipline to submit to God’s authority is the true chain that binds us to empty lives.
   This is true in each aspect of our lives. For example, an undisciplined life can affect our economics. One may be prone to waste money on useless or addictive things. The undisciplined heart is never satisfied. The desire for more and more material possessions destroys many families and marriages. The proverbs also speak against being lazy and unwilling to work. This undisciplined life causes people to rely on the disciplined workers for their survival.
   This is not God’s purpose. His purpose for your life is to know wisdom and have discipline to live safely and peacefully with God and one another.
   It’s really very simple: know the truth and live the truth. Understand God’s Word teaches you the truth in every area of life. Being disciplined to read, study, hear and live God’s Word will form in you a discipline to resist sin. Pay attention to what God is telling you. It is for your wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 12:1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
 
  
 

Read Proverbs 8:22-30
 
Proverbs 8:30 “I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.”
 
IF you are reading The Daily Bible, you will be reading the Proverbs by topic. You will find numerous Scripture references each day. Read these as they are intended, an instruction manual on righteous living. If you are reading from a typical Bible, we’ll be in Proverbs through May 25. You could read four chapters today and three chapters each the next nine days. Each day I’ll focus on one short passage to illustrate that day’s topic.
   Today’s topic is Wisdom. You’ll see quote marks around the words today. Who is talking? It is Wisdom personified. This is the literary technique as a writer gives life-like qualities to an inanimate object or idea to make a point. Solomon’s point here is that Wisdom was essential in God’s creation of the universe.
   To summarize the reading, Wisdom says, “The Lord formed me from the beginning. I was appointed, at the very first. I was born before the oceans were created, before the mountains were formed, before he had made the first handfuls of soil. I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans, when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. I was there when he set the limits of the seas, and when he marked off the earth’s foundations.”
   Solomon summarizes Wisdom’s role with verse 30: “I was the architect…his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.” Not only was Wisdom the Designer of God’s “good” universe, it was a joyful partner of God’s eternal past. Then Wisdom points to Jesus to come. The same God who created the world is re-creating the world through us. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10) Our good things are the works we do in agreement with God’s Word. We know what those works are and what they are not because God’s Wisdom has formed our minds to know God. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
   Wisdom is at work in God’s mind. It is at work to order and maintain his creation. Wisdom is in God’s salvation plan to save through Jesus and instruct through the Holy Spirit. Wisdom, indeed, is alive to form you live toward God.
 

Read 1 Kings 4, 9-10, Psalm 72
 
1 Kings 4:20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink…29 God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore…32 He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. 33 He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. 34 And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.
 
THIS is a one-time description of Israel living in such bounty. As you know, the nation’s history since Exodus has generally been stained with disobedience of God and disunity toward one another.  
   But here was an interlude of peace. God paused the conflict to shape Israel into the nation he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: Genesis 22:17 “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies.” The LORD also demonstrated his blessing promise of Leviticus 26:3-6 “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from  the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.”
   The starting point of this blessing fulfilled is Solomon’s wisdom. God’s wisdom in the king overcame many obstacles in Solomon’s heart. The young, unproven leader became wise to solve disputes and to properly care for his people. A nation under a wise ruler will become a nation of peace. When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. (Proverbs 16:7)
   The same is true for your household. Solomon said much about wisdom’s blessings you will read in Proverbs. It will be good for us to prepare our hearts to receive this from God through his gifted servant.
  

Read 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 6-7
   
1 Kings 8:1-2 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. 2 All the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.
 
YOU might consider 1 Kings 8 a worship service to the LORD. Three essential elements of worship are present here: the LORD’s presence, prayer and God’s Word spoken.
   This placing of the ark into the temple came at the Festival of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles. This was in the fall of the year to celebrate God’s care to shelter Israel for 40 years on their desert journey. It also remembered how God tabernacled – dwelled with – his people on the Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Covenant in the desert Tabernacle. The Ark and the Tabernacle have been in various places and separated for centuries. At last God moves ark into the new Tabernacle – the Temple in Jerusalem.
   Then what a remarkable scene to read that God’s glory filled the temple! Just as he did in the desert journey, God came in a cloud to confirm he is with his people. What a wondrous joy to behold God’s glory so visibly and powerfully present in his sanctuary! Oh, that the churches today could experience God in this holy and personal way.
   In response, Solomon reverently prayed for his nation and his people: 1 Kings 8:23 “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.” The king praised God and sought justice in the land. He prayed all people of the earth would commit to God. And he prayed for Israel to enter into God’s rest.
   As the worship concluded, there was great sacrifice. This illustrates the enormous cost of sin. In essence, there is no amount of sacrifice of animals that can completely remove our sins. Yet, it was essential that a repentant, joyful people demonstrated their commitment to the LORD God. He had fulfilled his promise to build a temple and to dwell with them.
   This interlude of God’s glory come so visibly to earth is a glimpse of God’s to one day come to earth through the Son and the Spirit. God’s glory visibly came through the Son at Jesus’ birth, baptism, teachings (through miracles and repentance), Transfiguration, resurrection and ascension. God’s glory came through the Spirit in tongues of fire at Pentecost and the preaching of the gospel that began to fill the earth. The church is always to be the expression of God’s personal glory come to dwell with his people as we proclaim God’s power to save. This is one reason we must gather with others to worship each week. Our response must always be to worship God’s glory come down into our own lives.
   Jesus is the sacrifice for the removal of your sin. You are a sacrifice of praise, glorifying the LORD. The Holy Spirit has come to dwell with you while he is preparing for your eternal tabernacle with the holy God in the new creation. Your only appropriate response is to worship him in all you are in him.
 

 

Read 1 Kings 5-7  
 
1 Kings 6:1 It was in midspring, in the month of Ziv, during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, that he began to construct the Temple of the Lord. This was 480 years after the people of Israel were rescued from their slavery in the land of Egypt…38 The entire building was completed in every detail by mid autumn, in the month of Bul, during the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple.
 &
1 Kings 7:1 Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction.
 
VERSE 1 is very important in the Bible’s timeline. A number of historical documents outside of the Bible have confirmed Solomon reigned from 971-931 BC. We then know the exodus occurred in 1447 BC. This may seem irrelevant to the modern church, but it is very important. The historical accuracy helps us know God has moved through history with order and purpose. We can more easily defend our faith when we know there is scientific proof of God’s activity in world events. Historical writings, anthropology and archeology have proven to be very helpful to confirm God’s story. Good science is not the church’s enemy. It is God’s evidence to understand his creation of the world and of a people to save the world. Let’s know the truth and defend it against people who challenge the Bible’s facts with unprovable theories.
     The Temple’s construction is another visible display of God’s covenant with Abraham. We have read how carefully and skillfully God’s anointed artisans constructed the Tabernacle in the Sinai desert. Now it is time for a new generation of gifted workers to build a temple under God’s specific blueprint. Solomon built God’s earthly “house” with God’s glory in mind.
   Chapter 7 tells us Solomon’s palace was about 30% larger than the temple. Its design gave the palace about five times the floor space. This was to make room for the king’s daily operations and responsibilities that required extensive storage of such items as food and weapons.
   But it seems there is unnecessary building. Why would Solomon’s wife, for example, need a separate home? Perhaps Solomon believed all this would praise and glorify God. Perhaps he was satisfying the desires of his wife born into Egyptian royalty.  
   God gifts many of  his people with a strong faith to love him and wealth to serve his church. Throughout history, monetary wealth has been used to build God’s kingdom through the expansion of the church’s mission and through grand structures glorifying God.  
   God has also made each one of his own rich in the salvation of Jesus Christ. Each Christian has the eternal gift of life. You are to generously give of God to a world impoverished by sin.
   God’s Word gives you specific ways to build your life of faith. Are you reading and learning? Are you putting those words into life habits? How will you distribute God’s wealth of salvation to enrich others and to glorify his name?
    
 
 

Read 1 Kings 2-3
 
1 Kings 3:3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.
 
1 Kings 3:11-14 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies,12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”
 
BEFORE we begin the next chapter in God’s Love Story, let’s stop to remember God’s servants Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Samuel and David. What did they have in common? Of course, each had a pivotal role in God’s redemptive plan for Israel and  for the world. Each person’s life has also affected your spiritual life with God today.
   How is this possible? How did these people do what God purposed for their lives? First, God chose them. Then he gifted them for their work of service unto the LORD God. Then God chose and gifted Solomon to advance his covenant of grace another major step.
   Verse 3, though, reminds us there was a constant challenge to Solomon’s faithfulness to God. The Levitical Law forbids worship away from the Tabernacle. But God did make allowances for such worship in Israel before the Temple was constructed. Joshua, Samuel and David led worship in particular places and cities at the LORD’s directive. The young Solomon joined with his father and country to obediently worship in these places.
   But this worship became Solomon’s disobedience after he built the Temple. Possibly to please his Egyptian born wife and other wives he would have, the wise man demonstrated a decided lack of wisdom as he continued this “high place” worship. How could a man God had so extravagantly gifted with wisdom display such spiritual ignorance throughout most of his life?
   The sin nature in us is very strong, isn’t it? Be alert. Each of us must be continually aware of sin’s persistent, unrelenting pursuit of our mind, heart and soul. Even as we are gifted with the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, Satan will still work to limit our knowledge and minimize our wisdom in God.
   Verses 11-14 describe God’s great blessings of earthly wealth, health and pleasure. Being a faithful Christian does not guarantee these types of blessings. They were God’s gift to a particular man for God’s good reasons. We must receive from God as he desires to give us. Make good use of the good things he gives to you. Use his power to defeat the sin that keeps you from his commands. He is LORD of all.