Morning Light – July 20th, 2015: Entering the Solomon Season of Your Life

Morning Light – July 20th, 2015
Today: [1 Kings Chapter Four]: Entering the Solomon Season of Your Life. In this chapter we see the blessing of God establishing the reign of king Solomon. For the first time in Israel’s history the people dwell safely in their borders and are blessed in all things. The blessing of God intended to begin with David was delayed because of David’s disobedience. Now in Solomon’s time the peace of God comes and we see what the full measure of God’s plan looks like upon the nation of Israel. In our own lives sometimes blessing is delayed because of misunderstanding on our part and sometimes even disobedience. In this teaching we will consider three things that may be delaying your “Solomon Season”.
[1Ki 4:1-34 KJV] 1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel. 2 And these [were] the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest, 3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder. 4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar [were] the priests: 5 And Azariah the son of Nathan [was] over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan [was] principal officer, [and] the king’s friend: 6 And Ahishar [was] over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute. 7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision. 8 And these [are] their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim: 9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan: 10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him [pertained] Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: 11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife: 12 Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam: 13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him [pertained] the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which [are] in Gilead; to him [also pertained] the region of Argob, which [is] in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars: 14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo [had] Mahanaim: 15 Ahimaaz [was] in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife: 16 Baanah the son of Hushai [was] in Asher and in Aloth: 17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar: 18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin: 19 Geber the son of Uri [was] in the country of Gilead, [in] the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and [he was] the only officer which [was] in the land.
Here we have a recitation and listing of the cabinet and administration of Solomon. His rule or jurisdiction covers all twelve tribes of Israel and as a result of peace in the land the need for management of the affairs of state brought many capable and wise leaders into Solomon’s employ. This picture of Solomon’s reign defines for us what David’s kingdom would have looked like had he not erred in the matter with Bathsheba and Uriah. The mantle of David passed to Solomon not only because he was David’s son but because David opted himself out of the full measure of what God planned to do therefore his mantle passed to Solomon. When Nathan the prophet stood before David this is what the Lord said to him:
[2Sa 12:8-10 KJV] 8 And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
We can clearly see that David’s life after the matter with Bathsheba was one of warfare and internal strife. This was not originally what God had in mind but the choice David made brought this about. However the full blessing of God that was restrained in David’s life is poured out completely upon Solomon. There are promises that God makes to us that are conditional in nature. The fear of God should give us pause regarding this matter. How different would our life be if we were more responsive to the word of the Lord? In order for God’s plan to move forward David had to die and go off the scene for Solomon to come forth and bring forward the purposes of God originally ordained for his father? Jesus gave a prophetic word to his twelve disciples that did not fully come to pass and never will because the conditions were not met. In Matt. 19:28 and Luke 22:30 Jesus told the 12 that they would sit on 12 thrones judging Israel. This prophecy included Judas but because he did not fulfill the implied conditions of the words of Jesus he was excluded. Rev. 19:10 tells us the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. In the prophetic you see the plan and purpose of God for your life. However you must bear in mind that prophecy is almost always provisional and conditional. Prophetic words are more about laying down assignments for our lives than about predicting the future. The future is shaped by the choices we make. Look for the plan and purpose of God and what He is asking of you and your kingdom, your jurisdiction in life from God will be established as we see Solomon’s is.
20 Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. 21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22 And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, 23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. 25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. 26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where [the officers] were, every man according to his charge.
When David was king there were times of prosperity and victory but there were also many times of difficulty and upheaval. Under Solomon’s reign the people had peace. Do you want your life patterned after the kingdom of David or the kingdom of Solomon? David is a type of Christ. Solomon and the reign of Solomon speaks to us of what God has in mind for us because of what Jesus has done for us. As Solomon inherited the kingdom so we have inherited the kingdom of God. In the first century church we see the result of what Jesus did was great joy and blessing on the people:
[Act 2:41-47 KJV] 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
This description of blessing on the New Testament church is descriptive of what it meant to live under Solomon’s rule. God does not place a premium upon suffering. His plan is to establish and bless you and bring to stability and peace in your life. If this does not describe your life then you must ask yourself a few questions: 1.) Am I simply in transition? There are seasons of sojourn when you may struggle but aren’t necessarily doing anything wrong. You simply need to keep moving, seeking the kingdom and making the decisions that lead to your blessing time. 2.) You have deviated from the assignment God has for you. Go back and look at your life. What has God said? Have you satisfied the conditions and directives of heaven expressed over your life? 3.) You have corrupt associations. Abraham could not be fully blessed till he separated from Lot. David was held back tremendously because he would not deal with Joab. We have to be mature about these things. We tend to look at the promise of God and complain that “nothing is happening” or “it’s not working”. God is not a cosmic Santa Claus. The prophets are not psychics or clairvoyants. Every word from God is about clarifying what “seek the kingdom” looks like for you (Matt. 6:33). If you will “seek the kingdom” all things will consistently be added. If nothing is changing and life simply will not improve you must examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. You must go back and review all that God has said and where you have failed – repent. Where you have deviated from what God said or simply ignored what God has said – make the adjustments no matter how painful and things will improve. A life consistently lived in frustration and unanswered prayer is a life lived outside of the will of God. You must be willing to change.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore. 30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. 34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
Proverbs 9:1 says that wisdom has “hewed out her seven pillars”. As the wisdom of God established Solomon so the wisdom of God will establish you. Remember that the wisdom of God in your life is who He has made Jesus to be for you and in you (1 Cor. 1:30). You don’t have to gain some ethereal revelation or deep understanding. Jesus IS your wisdom. Just learn to listen to Him. Even the prophets true value over time is only measured in the degree to which they turn you to the voice of God in your own life. Jesus is the gift of God to you and as Prov. 18:16 says – your gift will make room for you. The gift of God that Jesus is will establish you, bless you, bring you forward in God’s favor and give you a life worth living.