What role does reverence for God play in seeking wisdom, as seen here? The Scene: Solomon’s Wise Judgment • 1 Kings 3:28—“When all Israel heard about the judgment the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.” • The nation’s response—“held the king in awe”—shows that reverence rises when God’s wisdom is clearly at work. • Solomon’s judgment concerning the two women and the living child wasn’t merely sharp reasoning; it was an overflow of divine wisdom requested in humility (3:9). Reverence: Catalyzing True Wisdom • Fear of God is not terror but a deep, worshipful respect that places Him at the center of every decision. • Solomon’s wisdom began with reverence in prayer, and it produced reverence in the people who witnessed it. • Reverence both precedes and follows wisdom: it is the soil wisdom grows in and the fruit wisdom bears. A Thread Woven Through Scripture • Proverbs 1:7—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” • Proverbs 9:10—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” • Psalm 111:10—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have a good understanding.” • Job 28:28—“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” • James 1:5—God gives wisdom generously to those who ask in faith—a posture of humble reverence. • Ecclesiastes 12:13—Solomon later concludes, “Fear God and keep His commandments.” The lesson learned in the throne room becomes the closing counsel of his life. Practical Markers of Reverence-Driven Wisdom Today • Seeking God first: consult Scripture and prayer before opinions and trends. • Humility: acknowledge limits and depend on the Lord for discernment. • Justice tempered with mercy: like Solomon, apply truth compassionately. • Public witness: decisions rooted in reverence point observers back to God, eliciting respect for Him. Summing It Up Reverence for God is the doorway into wisdom and the evidence that genuine wisdom has been found. Solomon bowed before God to receive wisdom, and Israel bowed in awe when they saw it in action. Wisdom that begins with fearing the Lord will always circle back to magnify Him. |
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