With any activity, there can often be a hidden risk involved. It’s simply a fact of life and the fallibility of the human race. The writer of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, points this out in verses 8-10.
Dig a pit – you might fall into it.
Break through a wall – a serpent might be on the other side and bite you.
Quarrying stones could result in injury.
Splitting logs could be dangerous.
The Preacher elaborates on the log splitting with a simple explanation.
“If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength.”
Simple logic, what we might call a “no brainer.” But as the writer has been sharing throughout Ecclesiastes, foolish people lack good sense.
“Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:3)
One of my husband’s favorite television programs is “Forged in Fire,” found on the History Channel. Four bladesmiths compete in three rounds of elimination, forging various kinds of knives or other bladed weapons, out of diverse kinds of steel. Besides the drama of completing their blades during a three-hour period, the competitors must also get them hardened and sharpened for rigorous testing.
During the last minutes of the first round, viewers often see the bladesmiths feverishly sharpening their blades on sanding belts, the sparks flying. They want their blades as sharp as possible before they are tested. The goal? To watch Judge Doug Marcaida test their blades, perhaps slicing through a row of apples or sacks filled with sand, and say these words. “Your edge is razor sharp. Your blade—Will Cut!”
A dull axe shows a lack of preparation. A lack of preparation for log splitting can result in more work, and even possible injury. The difference between the wise and the foolish could not be clearer.
Each day is a new beginning in our pursuit of a meaningful life. If we don’t prepare properly for that day, we often miss out on opportunities to live a life of purpose.
Don’t live the life of a fool—unfocused, and directionless.
“The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.” (Ecclesiastes 10:15)
Seek the wisdom of God, assured that whatever the day brings, whatever activity or opportunity presents itself, you will be prepared to confidently meet it.
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8)
Reflection Questions
In the spirit of Ecclesiastes 10, what kind of example can you give of a fool?
How do you prepare for each new day God gives you?
Prayer
Dear Wise, Righteous and Loving God – help me learn from You and Your Word. Show me how to prepare and to live a life of wisdom, righteousness and love, making the most of every opportunity. Thank You for the gifts you give daily. May I use them to faithfully serve You.
It’s the end of a long hard day, and nothing went the way you planned when you awoke that morning. The coffeemaker quit—you don’t have time to pick up coffee on the way to work because you are already late. Overcast skies reflect your mood. Entering the door of your office, someone has piled ten new files on your desk for you to tackle. There is no time for lunch, so you grab a stale granola bar from your desk drawer. On the way home during a rainy commute, your car gets a flat tire. Starting to call for help, you realize you forgot to charge your phone last night, and it is out of battery power! At the end of your rope, you exclaim, “I hate my life!”
Would you believe that the wisest man that ever lived once stated the same thing?
“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17)
Reading that declaration, it’s hard to comprehend that King Solomon began his reign over the nation of Israel in humility and with a sincere heart to serve God.
When Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar of Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and told him, “Ask what you wish me to give you” (I Kings 3:5a)
“Then Solomon said, ‘You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So, give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?’” (I Kings 3:6-9)
God was pleased with Solomon’s reply, particularly that he had not asked for a long life, or riches, or revenge to his enemies. Consequently, God granted Solomon’s request and so much more.
“Behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (I Kings 3:12-14)
What remarkable blessings for the start of Solomon’s reign—wisdom, honor, long life. What more could he desire? With these incredible gifts from God, his fame spread.
“Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.” (I Kings 4:30,34)
Ecclesiastes 2 shares a first-person summary of Solomon’s activities. He experimented with wine and folly; built houses and planted vineyards; made gardens and parks and ponds; bought slaves and possessed larger and larger herds; collected silver and gold and treasures of others; enjoyed the pleasures of many concubines; and became greater than all who preceded him.
Yet, this all-wise, anointed king of Israel was not immune to sin. His hundreds of wives and concubines allowed idol worship to creep into his kingdom. Despite building the temple in accordance with God’s direction, despite writing thousands of proverbs, because of Solomon’s sin, Israel became a divided kingdom after his reign.
Whatever Solomon desired he had obtained, as a reward for his labor. Yet, he realized it all was meaningless. The same fate awaited the wise and the fool.
Solomon exclaimed, “So, I hated life!” (Ecclesiastes 2:17a)
Solomon went on to express his dismay that all his work and accomplishments could be diminished or destroyed by his successor. So, what was the point? He answered his own question.
“There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24,25)
Only with God, only with our Creator, our loving Father, can we enjoy the fruits of our labor. As Solomon expressed, “Who can have enjoyment without Him?”
Yes, we have bad days when we voice our anguish. But God is on His throne. He hears our concerns, He calms our fears, offers His comfort. God and God alone is the reason we exist. Living for God and God alone, is the only way to enjoy this life as we anticipate His coming kingdom.
“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless (II Peter 3:13,14)
Reflection Questions
What do you do to lift yourself up when you have a bad day?
If the Lord appeared to you in a dream, like he did Solomon, and said “Ask what you wish me to give you,” what would your answer be?
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for the gifts of life and labor, food and drink, companionship along the way, and the sun that rises and sets every day. Mostly though, thank You for being You, the Great God who sees, hears, knows, provides, and cares. Without You, who can have enjoyment? Help me train my eyes, heart and mind to focus on Your greatness and Your goals for me when I am looking instead at the size of my trials, needs or moods. Show me what sin is and make me wise and strong to pursue righteousness instead so I am ready to live in Your new heavens and earth with You and Your Son.
-Devotion by Makenna Landry, née Cisler, a 2021 ABC graduate. Makenna is a licensed pastor of the Church of God General Conference working to service God by teaching His word and supporting His people through all aspects of life. She has two children, a passion for helping people, and loves Disney. She spends her time writing and enjoys playing board games with friends and family.
Key passage: “But the 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.” James 3:17-18 (ESV)
James 3 starts off by making the claim that not everyone can be a teacher. This is similar to the lesson I wrote on 1 Timothy that not everyone has the right to understand or focus not on scripture but on other things that tickle the ears of the listeners. This warning from James ties into the passage of Job. Job’s friends are trying their best to help Job and Job refutes them at every turn. At the end of Job, we see neither party was in the right. Job and his friends hold an example to us to be careful what we say to others.
This is why the entire chapter of James 3 is so important. It teaches and guides us on how we can speak to others and what wisdom we should pass along to others.
Let’s break down the chapter.
James 3:5 (ESV) says, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”
James is not telling his readers that people should have low self esteem and a bad view of themselves. He warns against pridefully honoring yourself over others. This can be seen more as bragging about your accomplishments instead of humbly celebrating victories.
James 3:8 (ESV) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
This verse is pretty doom and gloom! It feels helpless and like we are in an endless maze. So the question arises what does that mean? What does it mean that the tongue is a restless evil that cannot be tamed?
You know how sometimes when you stub your toe really hard you cry out in pain. Some people swear others have swear alternatives like “gosh darn it”, “holy cow”, or “great googly moogly” (can you imagine someone actually saying that besides Major Monogram from Phineas and Ferb ha!). All these phrases and words, a lot of us have used in place of curse words. But does that make it good to say it? When I was young and really into the phase of finding alternative expressions from curse words, my mom shared a piece of advice that still shapes how I speak and talk to this day: any word used poorly becomes a curse word. When our intention is to express anger and pain towards an individual or object our words are no longer from God but from the evil that plagues this world.
No matter how hard one might try not to use the socially deemed words with bad meetings, our heart behind anything we say reflects whether or not the words are bringing glory to God. This might not even be the words we say but the tone we say it in! Our language abounds in ways that we can be rude to others. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t try. We will mess up and we won’t ever be perfect, yet we can be reminded by James to try our best to tame our tongue.
What are some ways you might be cursing in your life? Do you use curse words, do you use alternative curses, or does your tone reflect one of judgment and anger? What are ways you can work towards taming your tongue?
When we consider shaping the things we say to God, we have to consider what would bring Him glory. That’s why I started the lesson with James 3:17-18. It brings into the view the focus of our hearts and words. Wisdom is not just something we impart to others but something that should be imbued in our very being. Our thoughts, words, and deeds should be done in wisdom.
From James 3:17-18, what does it look like to have wisdom in the way that we speak?
Psalm 98 is a great reminder of the heart behind our words to God. James is specifically focusing on our words to others, but Psalm 98 can be an example of the heart behind the words we say.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I can’t sing so I make a joyful noise”? I know many individuals who have said it to me and they are some of the most joyful worshipers I have ever seen. To give them credit they also can sing a lot better than they think. But worship isn’t about perfection. It’s not about a big band, special lighting, perfect pitch and harmony.
When we worship God with Him as the focus, we are taming our tongue. The more we align ourselves with God’s goodness, faithfulness, and lovingkindness the more our words are shaped to reflect Him. Singing praise to God fills us with holy thoughts and focuses our attention on the one we should be following.
Further QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
How can worship help you tame the tongue?
What are ways you can bring glory to God through your words?
How did you relate to the individuals in the book of Job in today’s reading?
PRAY:
Father in heaven may glory be brought to You in my words and deeds. Help me tame my tongue and speak gently to those around me. You have made all things and Your love endures forever. Be gracious to me and show me how to be gracious to those around me. In the name of Jesus Christ, my savior and mediator, amen.
Today I’d like to challenge you a bit, and ask you to examine some things that you believe traditionally. I think tradition is a fine thing, for the most part, and helps to give a certain amount of structure in our worship and daily routines in general. I think scripture is an even finer thing, and should be the guidebook of our life: the word of God given to men as a template by which we should structure ourselves. Both are important, I just give more weight when comparing them to scripture (since the traditions of men are rather flexible and change constantly); but the word of God is “living and active, sharper than any 2 edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Out of love I’m going to do my best not to be too passionate, so I’m touching this verylightly, but please check it out for yourself.
The thing is; sometimes our traditions can be good, and sometimes our traditions can be silly. For instance: when we’re crossing the street here in America, the “tradition” is to stop and look both ways to make sure the way is clear. This isn’t a “law” as such, but is what is considered a “rule” of tradition, and it’s a good one: countless injuries have been avoided by following this simple tradition. It just makes sense. There are hundreds of these in play every day that we don’t even stop to consider anymore because, well, it’s tradition and it just works, so there has to be a good reason, right?
Here are some rather interesting traditions that are still active in our world, and some of them raised my eyebrow a bit when I researched them. In Madagascar, the Malagasy people exhume the bodies of their ancestors every 5-7 years, wrap them in silk shrouds, and dance with the corpses around the tomb to live music (this is called “Famadihana”). In Brazil, young men of the Satere-Mawe tribe wear woven gloves filled with live “bullet ants” for 10 minutes, 20 times (200 minutes total), as a coming-of-age ceremony, enduring stings that are compared to being shot by a bullet. In Cooper’s Hill, England, a 7-9 pound cheese wheel is rolled down a steep uneven hill and chased frantically by participants in the event, frequently breaking bones and incurring serious injuries (there are videos of this that are…quite educational, incidentally). In the Karnataka region of India, infants born after the parents vow devotion to the Sri Santeswar temple are thrown from the roof of the temple into the waiting arms of their parents below, who believe the ritual brings good luck (as long as you can catch).
In the church, we have some fine traditions as well, some of which have been handed down for hundreds or thousands of years: the longer a group is around, the more traditions they come up with. Some of these are very useful for organization and structure, and some of these could possibly be considered a little bit silly when compared with scripture. The problem is, as humans, we tend to just keep on doing what’s familiar. It’s interesting to note historically that moving the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday (the “glorious day of the Sun”) occured around the same time (Mar 7, 321 AD, look up the “Edict of Constantine”) for the purpose of unifying the empire and from the same source that we got other popular traditions, like the theory of the trinity for instance. Remember that the Bereans were commended because they questioned what they had been told, and sought out and compared the teachings with scripture to come to a conclusion.
Today I’d like to offer you the opportunity to re-examine the Sabbath. This can be a very polarizing and divisive thing, and I know for a fact that churches have split over the topic. Let’s establish some ground rules before you dig: this is for your personal edification, not a call to revise corporate worship. I live in Knoxville TN and I am here to tell you, if you are blessed enough by God to have found a group of mostly like-minded worshippers who believe even 80% like you do, praise God and thank Him every day for such a blessing. We need to focus on unity, not necessarily uniformity (we don’t always have to believe the same exact thing, but we should be united in our focus and our purpose). I’m a member of the Unitarian Christian Alliance for that reason (among others): there are a great number of folks in that group who have slightly different beliefs on some various things than I do, but we share a common understanding of the important bits and agree that this is more important than pushing any specific particular. Let’s embrace that mindset, in humility.
I grew up going to church every Sunday with my parents. Statistically, you probably did too. I still go to church every Sunday, but I’ve also started honoring the Sabbath. I came to this on my own, by reading scripture. When I compared verses like Gen 2:3, Ex 20:8-11, Matt 5:17, and then today’s reading of Heb 4:9, and then read the frequency of the topic throughout scripture, it convicted me in my heart that I should also honor the Sabbath. So, on Saturdays now I don’t do any work, don’t buy stuff, and try to read the bible and focus on God for the entire day. On Sabbath, I rest. I still go to church every Sunday too, that’s my “corporate” time with God, but the Sabbath is my personal time with God: not a burden but a gift.
Do I think that everybody needs to believe the exact same thing as I do? Nope, not even close. We must each with fear and trembling work out our own salvation (Phil 2:12). Am I saying that if you come to a different understanding that you should march up to your pastor and demand that worship be done on Saturdays now instead of Sunday? May the God in heaven forbid it, no, that’s not even close to what I’m saying. What I want you to do is simply this: examine what you believe and why, and compare it to scripture. If you still believe the same way, great! If you believe differently, that’s fine too. This is a personal journey, I don’t want to change the corporate structure of worship, but I would like us each to strive to change our hearts towards God.
Look at it this way: irregardless of your specific belief in the topic of the Sabbath, if you were to take a specific day (Saturday) and devote it to seeking to get personally closer to God, what’s the downside? At worst you lose some productivity/shopping/garage sale time; compare that against potential gain. Cost vs Value, that seems to me to be a positive net outcome. Conversely, what if you’ve been wrong about the importance of the Sabbath?
I have had people who are better than me, some of my former professors and current relatives, that have argued (sometimes passionately) with me about my belief. There have been some very good arguments made, but here’s the thing: it’s my belief, and I came to it through reading scripture and praying. I don’t mind if you disagree, but I feel as if God has led me in a specific direction and if you disagree, should I listen to men or to God? (Acts 5:29).
I absolutely and certainly do not wish to cause division within the body of Christ, there’s already been enough of that. What I do want (and want you to do as well) is to seek God with my whole heart. I want to please God, and I acknowledge with great humility that I’m a very imperfect being, doing the best I can to worship and please a perfect God. “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Heb 4:9, LSB), and as people of God, I invite you to join me in it.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Have you ever given this much thought? Why or why not?
Are there any traditions in your church that are different than other groups? What are they, and how did they come about?
The Sabbath is listed as one of the 10 commandments. Why do you think that is, and do you think it applies to Christians today? Why or why not?
PRAYER
Father God, please lead us and grant us wisdom. Forgive us of our many shortcomings, and help us to be servants who please you. Thank you for the many blessings that you have given us. Place a deep love for all of our brothers and sisters in our heart. In Jesus name, Amen.
In the previous chapters, I concluded that Rehoboam was wrong in dividing the kingdom of Israel in two, because he followed the advice of his young friends over the elders, whom I assume advised him to listen to God’s will in the matter, as they are often more inclined to adhere to the word of God than youth, having gained wisdom in their years. But now we read that God says that the dividing of the kingdom of God was from him, and that Rehoboam should not fight against his relatives to restore the one kingdom.
This is what I think is going on: God allows us to make our own decisions. If we make a bad choice about what’s good for us without his wisdom about it, he decides the next move, not necessarily that he planned everything out the way it goes. And accordingly, we have the chance again to seek his will and choose to follow it or not. He moves as we move, though we should strive to move as he moves. We’ll see more of this happening in today’s readings.
This time, Rehoboam listens to God’s words (his wisdom about what to do). His choice to listen to God yields to the creating of many notable fortified cities and prosperity in gaining his kingdom food, oil, and wine. Perhaps most importantly, the priests and the levities who were in all of Israel came to serve God with Rehoboam – at least for 3 years.
There is so much going on in Rehoboam’s reign that I think relates to this present age. It is after being established and strong that Rehoboam (and likewise most) forsook the law of the LORD again. Think about that. When we’re weak and in need, we tend to call upon the LORD. But when we’re healthy, strong, established, wealthy, etc., we forsake the Lord and his laws by going our own way (seeking our own will/wisdom about what we should do).
Why? The bible talks about this often. When we rely on our own wealth/power/established state, we forget God and all that he’s done for us.
In response, the LORD brings word that since Rehoboam forsook God, he’ll forsake him (and his kingdom which God gave him). This time, their response was good, though their repentance wasn’t without punishment. God sent an army against them. But because they humbled themselves, instead of allowing them to perish, he allows them to become slaves, “so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” (2 Chron. 12:8).
Though it may sound harsh, it is good to realize how good we’ve got it when we are in service to the LORD, rather than in service, or a slave, to another. God’s wisdom about this is also all throughout scripture. We must learn to understand that punishment is good for us, when it is ordained by God. It can humble us.
Now read Psalm 79 and ponder upon the humility displayed from those who are God’s who have been downcast. Now read Colossians chapter 3.
This life in Christ is supposed to be one wherein we live as Christ lived, not how those whom we read about in the past lived. They should have continuously looked to God’s laws and been thankful for them, so that they could do them and live well.
We have more wisdom than they I think, to be able to do God’s will, because we are in Christ. The “how to” though often finds a way to baffle us.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks as if the things we need to do come naturally to those of us in Christ – at least that’s how it has been perceived by me when preached.
I find myself more inclined to think that the things Paul writes about affect me much in the same way they affected Rehoboam and Jeroboam, though in Christ, I received the spirit of Christ, urging me to follow him. Every act I make is a decision to let God be the judge of what’s right and to do accordingly, or to let myself, my flesh, be the judge and act foolishly.
But by remembering Christ, what he did, God’s plan of salvation through him, and who I am in him, I can be prudent to humble myself in good times and in bad and walk as he walked. This takes prayer. It takes the reading of God’s word. It takes much action from me.
My actions may be to make my days routine full of what it says we should be doing in Colossians 3 by reading God’s word, by discussing it with my brothers and sisters in Christ, by allowing myself to be taught and admonished by them and vice versa; to sing with them and gush with thankfulness to God in unity.
I can be a wife subject to my husband as unto the Lord (and he thus to me, both with love for each other). I can raise my children to be obedient but without causing them to lose heart, teaching them the love of Christ and why it is so good to desire that he rules over us, admonishing them when they miss the mark. It is all a part of God’s plan of salvation, which is so good for us.
I can think of the things I decide to do in word or in deed as actions I take for the Lord Jesus, thanking God our father through him. I can decide to work heartily for the Lord, and not merely for men when in my job, as an employee to my boss, doing my best to please my Lord (I liken this to a slave working for her master in Paul’s time). And I can do it all with a mindset that I want all whom I come across to be affected by my behavior, acting in such a manner to win others to Christ because it is so good for them.
QUESTIONS:
1.Do you think that under the New Covenant we’ve entered into that God will forsake us if we forsake him? What does that even mean?
2.Do you think that under the New Covenant we’ve entered into that God allows us to be slaves to sin when we follow the urging of the flesh instead of the urging of the spirit to do what is right so that we may learn the difference between his service in Christ and the service to sin again?
3.Paul gives the Colossians a lot of instruction regarding what they should do in Christ. However, it doesn’t read as if he’s giving them laws to follow under the New Covenant like that of the Old Covenant. To me it sounds like he gives them a lot of great wisdom relating to their lives that they can adhere to or not. What do you think?
PRAYER:
Dear God of wisdom and might – I want to follow You well all of my days. May I abide by your will with a heart of humility, eagerly doing the work You have for me to do. Help me to show the world that You are a good God and that there is great joy in serving Your Son Jesus Christ. In his name I pray, Amen.
Listen to the beautiful words from the Queen of Sheba, regarding the wisdom of Solomon, which God had given him when he asked. Though a gentile, she knew that it was God who gave such wisdom to men, and that those who heard it were cherished by God. For it is God who gives such blessings – to place a ruler on his throne over his people, who will judge rightly:
2 Chronicles 9:7-8
7“How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. 8“Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”
Having someone judge over us rightly for God so that it will be well with us, because his wisdom about what’s right for us is what we can expect and hope for in the Kingdom age, and to an extent now, if we are allegiant to the King now. That is love. I yearn for all of Christianity to get this right – to know that it is so good for us to desire to be ruled – but only by a just king, who gets his wisdom from our just loving father.
For now, we wait hopefully for that day when God gives us such a gift, when our Lord Jesus returns to rule justly from the throne of David. In the meantime, I see myself like all of the other children of God who have been saved (think of “being saved” like the Israelites were from slavery to Egypt, to serve God, or how all of humanity under Christ are saved from slavery to sin, to serve God like Jesus did, yet we must finish the race to enter the kingdom of God at the end of our lives). I’m in a race to the finish line of this life, aiming to do well and to please my father God, because he’s so good, just like the people of God of old were supposed to.
It is surprising to me that the man who had nothing hidden from him in terms of wisdom from God, could not pass on such wisdom just one generation later. Though I should not be surprised, as the Bible foretells an ongoing story of his people succeeding and failing, ultimately failing until Christ.
When crowned King, not only did Solomon’s son Rehoboam fail to make wise choices based on seeking God’s wisdom about how he should rule, he also made a decision based on the will of his young friends that split the kingdom of Israel in two!
The wisdom from God remains the same for us to adhere to or neglect today. Our destruction will be great when we choose our own way without his wisdom about what we should do. That has always and will always be the case. It is a wonder in our day and age too that we don’t get this right, even after Jesus had to die (lest we forget).
This is why I believe Paul is struggling with the Colossians in his letter to them. Paul is well versed in the Old Testament. He knows how easy it is to forget what God has done for his people and go astray, especially when there are others out there trying to persuade Christians to make subtle changes in their thinking because of wisdom from men, which results in following a different gospel.
Paul sees an urgency for the Colossians to continue in their faith. Yes, they were God’s children. Yes, they loved greatly, yes, it sounds like they were even praised for their faith. And yet, Paul is still distressed, as someone could still teach them a gospel that was contrary to the true gospel, which could cause great demise for anyone carried away by it.
Paul does with Jesus regarding the New Covenant what God taught the Israelites to do with him regarding the Old Covenant. He beautifully lays out how important Jesus is for those who have entered the New Covenant with God through him. He gives them wisdom from God to follow and reminds them who they are in Christ.
All the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus. To obtain it, you must walk this life as he walked it. Even though you’ve received Christ Jesus as Lord, having been firmly rooted, you must continually be built up in Christ to establish your faith (your trust in God), with gratitude, because you know the cost (and the reward). If you can do this, then no one will be able to take you captive with another gospel (through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, the world, rather than according to Christ) as it seems someone(s) was trying to do to the Colossians.
Let Christ take you captive, because the fullness of the godhead bodily dwells in Jesus, meaning, all that there is to know about God, including his ways, can be found in Jesus. Jesus was made God’s wisdom for us, so that we would know God’s will and keep his commandments. In Jesus you were circumcised (you belong to Christ/identify in him, if you’ve entered the New Covenant of God through him), you were buried with him in baptism (you died to your old self and following your own will), and raised with him, to live a life of one who’s been forgiven (made alive through the working of God to raise Jesus from the dead, so that you will live like Jesus now and stop sinning). Jesus is now our ruler and authority, if we make ongoing plans to give him our allegiance daily.
If someone is teaching you to do something contrary to Christ, look at what Jesus did to see how he handled those trying to teach God’s people a different gospel (like the Pharisees). If we can do that, we’ll be able to stand against someone trying to be our judge regarding the keeping of festivals, new moons, the Sabbath, or in regards to what we can eat or drink, or whatever it is that’s trying to get into our way of thinking that’s contrary to Christ.
These things are a shadow of what’s to come in the Kingdom, but Christ is the substance. I take this to mean that they can be good things to keep to help you remember God’s plan of salvation through Christ, but Christ is the Lord of them all. The Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. And Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. So if you want to keep the Sabbath, talk to your Lord about it, but don’t get carried away by those telling you you must keep it, or even worse, being someone else’s judge telling them they must keep it if they are Christ’s. These types of teachings, though they can be subtle changes to the true gospel, can lead you astray, so be on guard.
If you’re ever struggling about what to do, seek God’s wisdom in Christ. Follow the urging of the spirit about what you should do. Pray often about it. Remember who your Lord is and what he did for you often. Make ongoing plans so that you will not forget. For it is in him that we are all held together. Emphasis remembering that latter part too – we’re held together in the body—we’re supposed to work as a team, (team body!!), with Christ our head who leads us together.
God, please help us to grow together with the growth that comes from you. Let us be diligent to do as the wisdom from Psalm 78 advises today in our walk, but in regards to our God through our Lord Jesus:
Tell your children and your children’s children of the praises of Yahweh and his strength and his wonderous works. Tell them to put their confidence in God, and not forget his works, especially those now fulfilled in Jesus, and keep his commandments. Don’t be like those who did not prepare their hearts, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why do you think Rehoboam didn’t seek God’s wisdom like his father Solomon did, who was the wisest in the world (he had to have known about his father’s wisdom, right?!?)?
2. What other gospel(s) do you think Paul was warning the Colossians against? Following the Law of Moses? Following the laws created by the Pharisees as they interpreted the Law of Moses? Gentile laws? All or some of the above?
3. What do you think Paul means when he says this in Colossians 1:16-17, “…no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”?
PRAYER
Dear God, I pray that today and always I will seek You and Your wisdom. Help me to receive and act upon Your wisdom and pass along a deep desire for Your wisdom to the next generation. Thank You for Jesus and Your wisdom he has brought and will bring as ruler. Help me to recognize and turn my back on any different gospel. May I be guided by Your Spirit, to be a fruitful member of the true body of Christ which brings glory to You.
When Solomon became king, God gave him an incredible opportunity.
He could ask for anything.
Power. Riches. Military victory. Long life.
Instead, Solomon asked for wisdom.
That request pleased God because Solomon recognized something many people never do: leadership without wisdom is dangerous.
1 Kings chapter 3 shows a young king who understood his own limitations. Solomon did not pretend to know everything. He admitted that he needed God’s help to govern rightly.
And that humility mattered.
One of the most famous moments in Solomon’s life came shortly afterward when two women came before him, both claiming the same baby as their own. Solomon’s shocking proposal revealed the true mother because real love was willing to sacrifice personal rights to preserve life.
True wisdom does more than impress people. It reveals the heart.
That is still true today.
Our world often confuses wisdom with education, confidence, or internet knowledge. But biblical wisdom is deeper than information. Wisdom is the ability to see situations through God’s perspective and respond in ways that reflect His character.
A person can be highly educated and still make foolish decisions. A person can speak confidently and still be spiritually blind.
Wisdom begins with recognizing our dependence upon God.
But there is also a warning quietly woven into these chapters.
Even while Solomon loved God, cracks were already forming beneath the surface. The text mentions that he married Pharaoh’s daughter and that the people were still sacrificing at the high places.
At first glance, those details may seem minor. But small compromises often become major disasters later.
Very few people wake up one morning and decide to destroy their lives. Usually, hearts drift slowly.
One tolerated compromise at a time. One rationalization at a time. One neglected prayer at a time.
That is why wisdom is not merely knowing what is right. Wisdom is continually choosing what is right.
Solomon’s kingdom experienced peace, prosperity, and influence unlike almost anything Israel had ever seen. Yet even the greatest earthly kingdom could not fully satisfy the human heart or permanently solve the problem of sin and death.
Like David before him, Solomon’s story ultimately points beyond himself.
The Bible’s hope is not merely that humanity would someday produce a wise king. The hope is that God would provide the perfect King — one greater than Solomon — who would rule with complete righteousness forever.
And that future kingdom still lies ahead.
Three Things to Remember
Wisdom begins with humility.
Solomon became wise when he admitted he needed God’s help.
Small compromises matter.
The seeds of future failure are often planted long before anyone notices them.
Earthly success is never the final answer.
Even Solomon’s glorious kingdom could not replace humanity’s need for resurrection, restoration, and God’s coming Kingdom.
We live in a world overflowing with information but starving for wisdom.
So before asking God for more influence, more money, or more success, perhaps we should begin where Solomon did:
“Lord, give me wisdom.”
Reflection Questions
Are you humble enough to seek and ask for wisdom?
Consider this definition – “Wisdom is the ability to see situations through God’s perspective and respond in ways that reflect His character.” Choose a situation you have been in recently. What might wisdom see? How might wisdom respond?
How can we learn more about God’s perspective and His character so we can more often follow in God’s wise way rather than our own often foolish way?
What should we do, where should we be, who should we be with, while asking God for wisdom?
What do you think is a wise judgment/decision/action you made? What is a foolish one ? What made it foolish? Were there any small compromises that led up to this foolishness?
Prayer
Dear God – I pray for wisdom. You are the wise and all-knowing, always righteous God and I need You. Help me see Your perspective and reflect Your character in both big and small decisions, judgments and actions in my life. Show me what is right and what is wrong and give me perseverance to do, think, say, choose what is right. Show me where small compromises are leading me astray.
Not to be one to copy someone else’s work, but like yesterday’s writer, today is MY BIRTHDAY!!! Really!!! And as I’m writing this, it’s the 44th anniversary of my baptism into the Family of God (of which I’m so glad to be a part)!
As I was reading our OT, Psalms, and NT passages, I was wondering how I could tie them together. Nothing really obvious jumped out at me. However, as I’m getting older, the time I have in this lifetime seems more precious as I increasingly understand its brevity. I then re-read the passages with that thought in mind and time was just as precious to those way back then.. and what a sacrifice that was and is to give to God.
In Leviticus 16, we find all the rules Aaron was to follow for making sacrifices and cleaning up after those sacrifices. I can’t imagine the time it took for Aaron and the priest to do so much cleaning. These sacrifices and cleaning were for Aaron and his family’s sanctification, but still… with no running water or Mr. Clean Erasers, that could not have been easy. It was a true sacrifice of time.
In Matthew 25, we read of some women who did not use their time wisely. We aren’t told what they were doing that kept them from preparing for the party. We just know they did not have what they needed when the bridegroom came to get them.
We are also strongly encouraged in this chapter to spend our time caring for those in need. I’d say that’s a pretty good way to give God our time!
In Psalms 11… it might be a bit of a stretch to say it’s about the use of our time, but it does say the Lord is watching what we do, so in a sense, what we do with our time.
No matter what we do with our time, it’s wise to always remember Colossians 3:23-24.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Reflection Questions:
How have you used your time this past week? What did you do that was a good use of your time? Is there anything that you neglected to take care (such as packing your oil)?
How do we make the best use of the gifts God has given so we are prepared both to do the jobs He wants us to do (even the hard, dirty ones) and for the bridegroom’s arrival?
What can you do this week that will be a sacrifice of the time God has given to you?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I praise You for being my Creator, sustainer, provider, and shield and strength! I thank You for the gifts of life and time and the opportunity to be a part of Your Family. I confess the times and ways I neglect to do the most important jobs You have given, and instead are wasteful with the minutes and resources You have gifted to me. Help me do what You want me to do, with a heart of love and joy, and all for Your glory. In Your Returning Son’s Name, Amen
Our reading today includes so much powerful material and wisdom. The reading from the Psalms is from Psalm 1 and tells us how to live and worship our God in 6 easy verses. Just do these things and your life is on path and blessed by God. How is it that God distills such great truth so many times into passages that give us such pure direction in a short section. This should be a familiar section of scripture to many and be a comfort and help in our lives. I have it here quoted in the KJV because of the familiarity of the section wording, and also that it does a good job of showing us the poetic nature of the Psalm.
Psalms 1(KKJV) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
The Old Testament was memorized by the Hebrews and many of them knew the whole of the scrolls by heart. The poetic nature of the original writing helped them to remember the passages. Some of the easiest passages to memorize are those that are poetic in their structure for us in English. The Psalms were also written to be sung which is an even more powerful way that helps us remember scripture. Think about small songs that you may have sung as a child. For me many taught me were verses from the Bible and etched those verses in my memory.
How about you? What puts the words of the Word into your memory?
Do you meditate on the Word of God every day?
What is a good way to bring it to mind for you?
When we read the section of Matthew 15 this morning Jesus cuts right to the chase with the people there and then puts us on the right track of understanding and action. The argument he has with scribes and Pharisees is over the disciples hand washing rituals before a meal. It wasn’t for sanitary purposes that these rules were developed but were regulations made up to control people’s lives by ritual.
Matthew 15:1-9(NLT) Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? 4 For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 6 In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”
This passage is from Isaiah 29 and Jesus knowing the scriptures draws on a section where God judges the standard for our actions and faith.
Isaiah 29:13(NKJV) Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Then God tells us in this section of Ezekial another prophecy about Jesus:
Ezekiel 33:30-33(NKJV) As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ 31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
I am aways astounded by God’s anticipation of all that Jesus does in his life here on earth and in his ministry. These words of God’s true wisdom that Jesus speaks are ignored then and ignored today by all that don’t believe his words. When we hear God’s Word with our ears but don’t hear with our hearts then we are far from the God that made us and created His life in us.
Isaiah 29:15-16(NLT) What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The LORD can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!” 16 How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?
How can we change our hearts and actions today?
What will put this Word into our hearts and minds?
Our lives are determined by what we truly believe in our hearts and not by what we do and Jesus shows us this again in Matthew 15.
Matthew 15:15-20(NLT)Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.” 16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. 17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
See questions in bold above
PRAYER:
Father, please open our hearts to hear your Words and believe them. Give strength to us to do the actions You ask us to do. Give us works of righteousness to do to show others your greatness and deliverance. Let us not be defiled by our unrighteous thoughts but changed to become like Your Son in every way. In Jesus name we pray this day.
Seek Grow Love 