1 Kings 10-11

It is very easy to get caught-up in political parties and our favorite politicians who of-course have the right point-of-view. And if our party or politician was just in control, life would be better. Well, after reading about Israel during the reign of Solomon, I sure wish I could vote for him. Solomon, the wisest ruler to have ever lived. So wise, that he was able to orchestrate the construction of tens of billions of dollars of building projects, and so highly develop international trade that the "stock market" of the time sky-rocketed (10:14). Solomon was so wise that powerful foreign rulers went to great length to seek his counsel and ask him questions (10:2-3, 24), and there wasn't a question he couldn't answer. Each of these foreign rulers brought valuable gifts (10:10, 25), and at least sometimes, Solomon sent them away with all that they asked for (10:13)! A prosperity that was so amazing that it had to be experienced to be believed (10:6-7). Just being in the presence of Solomon was a great joy (10:8).

If we could only have a ruler like Solomon! Full of wisdom, benefiting his people with prosperity, one who brought great peace, one foreign rulers sought out and gave gifts to. A ruler who we could approach, ask and he would give to us our hearts desire! One whom we could tell all the things on our mind and he could answer all of our questions.

But we do have a king that can do all of that. Jesus. Solomon was only a worldly symbol of what the rule of Jesus is like. Solomon's kingdom was of this world, though of course blessed by God, and the "of this world" part of his kingdom has crumbled. If we are looking for prosperity like Solomon's kingdom we will only come away with disappointment. Even Solomon in his great wisdom and blessing from God was a deeply flawed human like anyone else. We read of these sinful flaws and their consequences primarily starting in 1 Kings 11.

If we are followers of Christ, than in our King Jesus, when we look for wisdom we will find vast wisdom, but "not of this this age of or the rulers of this age who are doomed to pass away" 1 Corinthians 2:6. And we will not find a prosperity of silver and gold, but like Moses a prosperity where the "reproach of Christ" is of greater wealth than the treasures of this world (Hebrews 11:26). To Jesus, we can "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16, and tell him all that is on our mind, asking him everything that is on our heart, for he genuinely knows us. A king who is also a loving father and is able to "sympathize with our weakness" Hebrews 4:14.

The Queen of Sheba said of a temporary and deeply flawed king, "Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!" (1 Kings 10:8). But we as men, women and servants of Christ, the eternal and flawless King, can say the same thing from now onto eternity. For a day in the presence of Christ truly is "better than a thousand elsewhere" (Psalm 84:10).