Which Ear, Week 14 Day 1, 1 Kings 12

Which Ear, Week 14 Day 1, 1 Kings 12

You’ve probably seen movies, TV shows or cartoons where the character, faced with a moral dilemma is “assisted” in making their decision by a good guy on one shoulder and a bad guy on the other.  Often times these shoulder conscious kibitzers are a devil and an angel. 

Invariably the angel gives advice about the right or good thing to do.  The devil gives advice about the wrong or bad thing to do.  And invariably the angel and the devil represent the internal discussion of the character faced with a choice.  No real new information is offered.  But as we watch or listen to the character converse with the angel and the devil, we get to eavesdrop on their internal decision making process.

In 1 Kings 12, the characters are real.  But the choices are just as stark as our modern day angel and devil argument.  Rehoboam has been made king.  Jeroboam comes to plead for Israel.  Under Solomon they were oppressed.  And Jeroboam asks Rehoobam to lighten their load.

No angels here, but the elders who had served as Solomon's advisers now plead Jeroboam’s case.  The elders’ advice to Rehoboam, act as a servant of the people, lighten their load and they in turn will always serve you.  A win – win if ever there was one.

Rehoboam  doesn’t like their advice.  So he rejects it and seeks the advice of his friends.  The young men’s advice, boast of how much stronger you are than your father was and increase their burden.  Yes, Solomon placed a heavy burden on them, but you make it even heavier. 

That’s the kind of advice you would expect from someone who attended the “Pharaoh While Israel was their Slaves School of Negotiations.”   That’s the kind of advice that you would expect from someone who is more concerned with getting whatever they can from others, rather than getting along with others. 

And Rehoboam decides to follow the advice of his younger friends rather than the advice of his father’s experienced advisers.  But this really isn’t about who is smarter, the young or old, the experienced or inexperienced.   Jeroboam wasn’t concerned with getting good advice.  Jeroboam was concerned about getting the answer that he already knew that he wanted.

Once you’ve made up your mind, it can be hard for any advice, good or bad, to change it.

We live in a time when politics and social issues are sharply divided.  And many of us only spend time listening to those people that already agree with us.  And if we do listen to the other side, it’s mainly to find points against their position.  We’re not really trying to learn anything.  We’re trying to score points for our side and poke holes in their side.

Rehoboam already know the answer he wanted.  And he only accepted the council of those who already agreed with him.  And in doing so Rehoboam, son of the wisest man ever to live made a most unwise choice.  And so the kingdom was torn in two.

Often in life there really is an absolute right or wrong position or thing to do.  But every day, leaders and even us normal folks are faced with choices and opportunities for discussion where there is room for real choice.  Will we serve others?  Or will we seek to get what we think we deserve?  Will we seek selfish gain or mutual benefit?  Will we seek to win our argument or understand another’s position.  Will we value others and really listen to them to hear their heart, or will we listen to them only enough to marginalize them and their position before we dismiss them.

Will we divide or unite?  Will we seek to serve ourselves or others?  And have you already decided, or will you really listen?

God, I pray that you would give me a servant’s heart.  Help me to see how to serve others, to see how by serving I can better their lives.  Don’t let me just see how others might serve me.  Give me wisdom that comes from You.  May I have ears to hear, a heart to listen, and a spirit of discernment that comes from You.  When there is a right or wrong, give me the courage to stand for what is right, and the grace to stand with a merciful and graceful heart.  But sometimes the hardest choice is to choose to listen.  Make me quick to hear the heart and needs of others.  Amen

Leonard

The Genie in the Lamp with a Side Order of Magic Spell and Binding Legal Agreement, Week 13 - Day 1, 1 Kings 1-4

The Genie in the Lamp with a Side Order of Magic Spell and Binding Legal Agreement, Week 13 - Day 1,  1 Kings 1-4

I’ve got to wonder how many bad jokes, how many stories start off with the premise of the magic lamp.  You know, gal or a guy finds a lamp, rubs it and out pops a genie that will grant them three wishes.  In most of the joke or stories things don’t end up well for the finder of the lamp.  Some people try to treat God like the genie in the lamp. If they just rub Him the right way then they’ll get what they want.

Others ask God for stuff like they were doing some sort of magical incantation.  An opening “Oh God” with a pious “Pretty Please” followed quickly by a “In Jesus Name” to close out that spell.  If you just pray right, if you pray hard enough, then the magic words will do the trick.  Like Dorothy in Oz we just need to click our heels, while wearing our magical red prayer slippers and repeat, “I just want the answer to my prayer.  I just want the answer to my prayer.”

Then there’s the legal prayer.  Sometimes we call this name it and claim it.  If you can remember the verse and repeat the promise contained therein, God is obligated to grant your request.  For this one you get extra credit if you remember and mention the Scripture reference.  Also, you’re allowed to use the specific Bible translation that does the best job of saying exactly what you want it to say.  God said it, I claim it, that settles it.

Put them all together and you’ve got yourself a trifecta of God having to do whatever it is that you want Him to do.

Then there’s Solomon.  He actually gets that one wish.  In a dream God tells him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Wow!  One request!  Solomon can ask for anything.  ANYTHING! No qualifiers, no limitations, your mileage won’t vary, valid in all states including the District of Columbia.

What would you ask for if you were in the same position?  What is this new King Solomon going to ask God for?

He asks for wisdom.  But it turns out that he was already pretty wise.  Consider that just a short time ago, David gave Solomon his final instructions as before he passed away.  And here is what David gave to Solomon as his charge.

To be strong and do everything that God required, walking in His ways, keeping all His commands.  Doing that would allow Solomon to prosper.  Deal with the Joab, an enemy of the past.  Show kindness to sons of Braillai, a friend of the past.  Then there’s Shimei, son of Gara, another past enemy who needs to be dealt with.  Then there’s Adohijah who was trying to take the role of kin.  There’s Abiathar, the renegade priest to be dealt with.  Wow, talk about a busy first week!

But in the end of David’s charge he calls Solomon “a man of wisdom.”  So why then does a man who is already wise, wise enough to secure his kingdom make his one request wisdom?

Because while Solomon may already be wise beyond his years, he’s also wise enough to know that his human wisdom isn’t up to the task.  He knows his limitations. He knows that he really doesn’t know how to carry out all his duties.  The people are too numerous.  His request is simple, be a servant with a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish right from wrong.

The trick isn’t knowing how to rub the lamp.  The magic isn't in saying the right words in the right way.  We can’t trick or bind God with some legal mumbo jumbo.

We need to realize that it’s not the genie or ourselves who is in charge, it’s God who is in charge.  We need to realize that our words aren't magic, it’s only God who can work the magic of creation and salvation.  We need to realize that the law wasn't given to force God to act in a certain way, it was given to show us how much we need God.

And we too need to be wise.  Wise enough to realize that we can’t do it our own.  We need to be wise enough that we to admit that we don’t always know right from wrong.  We need to realize that the genie doesn't serve us, but it’s we that serve God.  And ask Him for the wisdom to walk in His ways, to keep His commandments, and His Spirit working in us so that we can do His will.  One request, one prayer that is the key to living the life that God wants us to live.

God, really only one way to end this.  Please grant me a spirit of discernment.  Give me the wisdom to know Your ways, to know right from wrong.  And then God, give me a heart to do what is right.  Not my right.  Not the world’s right.  Give me the heart to do Your right.  That’s all.  Amen

Leonard

Where’s Leonard Been and What Do You Give to Someone Who has Everything?

Where’s Leonard Been and What Do You Give to Someone Who has Everything?

Hi All! 

A few people asked why I haven’t been blogging.  I’m sure a far greater number of people quietly breathed a sigh of relief when I was no long appearing on their Facebook Newsfeed on a more than daily basis.

I’ve been blogging on the passages from a study my church is doing on The Story, a 30 plus week survey through the major portions / themes of the Bible.  Well, for the month of December we’ve taken a break from The Story for a sermon series on Christmas Hymns.  While interesting, not exactly my cup of tea.  So I’ve taken a bit of a break.  I’ll be back to The Story in another week or so.

But, and you knew there had to be a but, with all the “Christmas” advertising I’ve noticed something.  I’ll have to admit that in one way I’m kind of glad that all the stores have Holiday sales and not Christmas Sales.  Why?  Well, I’m all for the gift giving (but please don’t break your budget) but I’m pretty sure what the stores are selling isn’t really Christmas.  I’ll explain.

There are ads for clothes, thanks for the socks Grandma.  There are ads for toys.  There are ads for electronics and gadgets and stuff of the house.  There are ads for everything.  I even heard a radio ad the other day for a digital tire pressure gauge from the local auto parts store.

Then there are these ads, “What do you get for someone who has everything?”  You’ve probably heard that phrase at least a few times during the “Christmas” shopping season.  The idea is, what could you possibly give to someone who already has everything that they need or want.  Of course the irony is that the ads posing this question then go on to recommend things that you could actually give to someone who has everything.  Name a star after them.  Make a donation in their name to a charity.  Get them a bigger, better, more expensive version of something they already have.

But I believe that it is fundamentally impossible to have everything.  Matthew 6:26 tells us, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”  We’ve made “Christmas about the stuff of the world.  We’ve made “Christmas” about presents.  We’ve made “Christmas” about family.  We’ve made “Christmas” about lights and decorations and parties.  And all of that stuff is okay.  But none of it is about the real meaning of Christmas.  If I was to paraphrase Matthew 6:26 for Christmas it would be something like this:  “What will it benefit you if you celebrate the holiday, if you have all the decorations, all the presents and even all your family if you don’t know or lose track of the true meaning of Christmas, which is the coming of Christ our Lord and Savior?”

Earlier in the passage, Matthew 6:24 tells us, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”  The ads can try to sell stuff that money can buy.  But they can’t sell God.  You can’t really chase after all that stuff and still chase after Christ.  They can’t sell Christ whose birth Christmas is really all about.  The ads can’t sell salvation.  Because our salvation has already been paid in full and offered to us as a free gift from God.  That’s the true gift of Christmas from God through Christ our Lord and Savior. 

So I’m okay with “Holiday Sales” because the sales and the stuff aren’t really what Christmas is about.  Christmas is about the free gift of God which is salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.  And if you have that gift, then you truly have everything. 

God, thank You for the greatest of all possible gifts.  Thank you for this season that can remind us how much You really love us.  Thank You that You would send Your Son to be born as a Man, to live His life, to suffer and die on the cross and to rise again.  All of this so that we could have Your Precious gift of Salvation.  God, thank You for the Child in a manager who was starting His earthly journey to be the Savior of the world.  Amen

Leonard