The Truth In Print Vol 14 Issue 12, January 2009
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
What Every Politician Needs to Know
Solomon, himself king, said “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right” (Prov. 16:13). This follows and is based upon the preceding: “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (Prov. 6:12). Solomon wrote this and what did God expect of his throne?
David’s Personal Conversation With His Son,
I Chron. 22:6-13
David was king and here we read his concern for his son who would reign after him. Although put in the context of Solomon being the one who would build the Temple, the “first” concern was in keeping God’s commands:
(1Ch 22:11) Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
(1Ch 22:12) Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
(1Ch 22:13) Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
David had learned, often by harsh discipline from God, what should be “first.” The emphasis was upon obeying God and not the prestige that came by building the Temple. He warned Solomon to “be careful” (I Ch. 22:13). There were times when David, as king, was not careful and he paid high prices for his own disobedience, as well as others at times. Just before he told Solomon to be careful we see in David’s life that righteous words were not always a king’s delight. He would not listen to Joab’s warning for him not to do wickedly and number Israel (I Ch. 21:1-6). Upon doing so David was terrified by God’s anger (I Ch. 21:15-17, 29-30). Being both a father and king he had much to offer Solomon as to what must come first — obeying God! Thus he is warning his son, the new king, and Solomon may well have thought of “this” when David said be careful son.
David’s Address to The Officials, I Ch. 28
This address was at Jerusalem before all the officials of Israel, the princes, the commanders, the overseers of property and livestock, along with the officials and the mighty men who served David. Here, in the sight of all Israel the same conditions applied to Solomon and to all the officials of Israel (I Ch. 28:6-9). David was being honest with his son and as a motive for obeying he gave: “for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.” God knows all the motives, views and thoughts — nothing as to why one does what they do escapes Him!
This Same Position Set Before Solomon by God,
The above are the same position and warning set before Solomon by God before the Temple was completed (I Kings 3:14). And the position and warning remains the same after it was completed by Solomon (I Kings 9:4-9). The Temple itself is not the most important thing!
Solomon’s Throne,
Question: Did Solomon shun righteous lips? Solomon said, “Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished” (Eccl. 4:13). Solomon became that old and foolish king who no longer knew how to receive a warning such as was given to him by God and by his father:
1) He hated instruction (Prov. 5:12).
2) His heart spurned reproof (Prov. 5:12).
3) He did not listen to teachers (Prov. 5:13).
4) He inclined his ear elsewhere (Prov. 5:13).
5) He sat in the assembly in this condition! (Prov. 5:14). * Some today set in church in this condition!
Question: What kind of abominations (see Prov. 16:12 above) did Solomon commit? He forsook God! Read I Kings 11:1-11 concerning his love for idolatry. He lost what he had in I Kings 3:3 when he loved God and walked in the statutes of his father David. He was not wholly devoted in worship to God as his father David was (I Kings 11:6). The wisdom that formerly had stood by him and enabled him to see that all material things do not bring lasting happiness was replaced with abominations just as he said in the proverb! His failure was lust in “women” and sex. Did Solomon say anything about sexual immorality in Proverbs? In Ecclesiastes? He said a lot!
Solomon quit doing the things that were necessary for it to be well with him. He forgot what it was to know God (cf. Jer. 22:15-16).
What Kings, Rulers, Officials, Presidents, Congressmen, Mayors & Councilmen Need to Hear: Jeremiah 22:13-17; Ps. 82:1-5; Ps. 11:3-7; Ps. 12:1, 8.
1. Woe to those who increase assets without righteousness! (Jer. 22:13).
2. Woe to those who increase assets without justice, i.e. by wrong doing, without proper verdict or judgment, and without pay and wages due being given! (Jer. 22:13).
3. Woe to those who forget justice and righteousness while enclosing themselves in the best of everything! (Jer. 22:14-15).
4. You don’t cheat them but plead their cause, when just, for the afflicted and poor! (Jer. 22:16).
5. You have forgot what it is to know God so that it might be well with you! (Jer. 22:15-16).
6. “Well” ~ Jer. 22:15, i.e. pleasing to God and fruitful!
7. Your eyes and heart are for (Jer. 22:17):
a) Nothing but your covetousness!
b) Shedding innocent blood!
c) Practicing oppression (injury, fraud, distress, cruelty) and extortion (violence)!
8. God spoke such warnings to you in your prosperity but you would not listen! (Jer. 22:21).
9. You judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked because you are the wicked who do the things in Jer. 22 above (Ps. 82:1-2).
10. Vindicate the weak and fatherless, do justice to the afflicted and destitute, and then there will be a blessing (Ps. 82:3-4; 41:1-3).
11. You don’t know or understand what it means to be acceptable to and please God (Ps. 82:5; cp. Jer. 22:15-16).
12. You walk about in darkness — by your willful ignorance and negligence the “foundations” are shaken! (Ps. 82:5). By willful negligence of rulers and judges anarchy ensues! “Foundations” – Strong’s, H8356 shâthâh shaw-thaw' From H7896; a basis, that is, (figuratively) political or moral support: - foundation, purpose.
a) Compare Ps. 11:3 – “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” David felt at times that all his efforts to sustain order had failed.
b) If the foundations are destroyed the righteous must remember God’s rule (Ps. 11:4).
c) If the foundations are destroyed the righteous must remember God’s justice (Ps. 11:5-6).
d) If the foundations are destroyed the righteous must remember God’s righteousness (Ps. 11:7).
13. Hear this! “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exhalted (Ps. 12:8, 1).
By Bob Lovelace
NOTE: Before going elsewhere you may wish to
read our series of newspaper articles titled “Civil Government Out of Control” at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/civilgovernment.htm
.