Common wisdom

He could still hear the shout of the people and the snap of the colorful banners in the breeze. Although there had been a soft rustle of a crowd, all noise had stopped when he stepped to the altar and made the first burnt offering.

Then the music launched with timbrels and harps. Dancers twirled joyously as the priests brought out their trumpets.

But now, he slept - a deep cushioned rest that nurtured his heart and renewed his body.

And then the Lord spoke: “Ask what you want from me.”

With the emotions of his coronation still pulsing, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people God had given him.

God gave him wisdom. And then heaped on riches and power.

Although Solomon made many wise choices, and ratcheted Israel into a powerful nation, he was wooed by common wisdom. He married – out of love for women and love for the influence those wives brought. He negotiated through alliances rather than the sword as his father had. He became one of the wealthiest men the world has ever known.

Common wisdom would say that he was indeed blessed by God.

But common wisdom wooed him like a foreign wife from God’s wisdom.

Solomon started so well. But if he were a racehorse, we could see him on the finish line, distracted by the crowd or the scent of other horses. He did not finish well.

Paul said, “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.(1 Cor 9:24)

We are like Solomon, with generous riches ladled over us like a rich chocolate sauce. We walk in God’s kindness moment by moment.

How are we running the race?

Tomorrow: stripping off the weight.