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16:18). Every precise purpose of God will happen, regardless of opposition.
The wise wife stands at the GATE. We become the GATE of entry.
Jeremiah stands at the GATE to prophetically declare a decree that all people coming into this gate should worship the LORD! (7:2).
Jesus is the GATE for the sheep (Jn. 10:7).
HEAVEN
Shamayim ^8064^ is the usual Hebrew word for the "sky." This realm is where birds fly. This area, high above the ground but below the stars and heavenly bodies, is often the location of visions: <1 Chr. 21:16>. "Heaven" is described as the dwelling place of God.
Collecting the understanding of these words amplifies the meaning of Jacob’s remark, “How awesome is this place of worship where God dwells and is enthroned in that which is living and breathing inside of me right now.” Most certainly this place (of experience) is the permanent dwelling place (sanctuary, house), the resting place of God. It is the gate (the opening) though which God can connect (and pass to give spiritual revelations and visions) to me.”
Worship connects us in our earthly state to God’s presence.
— His Kingdom comes in us. We are His house.
Know ye not that ye are (plural – corporately) the temple of God… for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (KJV) You are the tabernacle – with a rent veil! You’re positioned to manifest the fullness of Christ in your sphere of influence. The altar isn’t at the front of your church building – it’s in your heart. The only priest is you. The only sacrifices going on are the fruit of your lips giving thanks. The only vespers ceremony is the presence of God walking and talking with you at the break of day.
2 Cor. 6:16 KJV … For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them (take up permanent residence), and walk in them (as in the garden); and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 29:4-5 NIV … the God of Israel, says… Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. The believer builds according to God’s plan.
1 Pet. 2:5 KJV Ye also, as lively stones (pieces of a greater structure), are built up a spiritual house…
Passionate Desire
Vision allows people to perceive themselves differently – they begin to visualize the house that they are to become. Where they may have previously misperceived themselves as lacking, fundamentally less than others, isolated, fragmented, or cut off and alone – now they find themselves to be part of a whole work and a piece of a master plan.
If you find out what your part is in this plan, then suddenly you have purpose –the why of what you do. Your vision is your purpose (the house that you will build). Jesus died to give you that reason for LIFE.
Finding purpose creates the passionate desire and the determination to accomplish that dream. Finding purpose in life is the stuff that goals are made out of; it passionately drives us forward. We can’t even talk more about accomplishing our purpose/vision until we uncover desire. We’re not talking about sitting around and gently wanting something – like a hot fudge sundae. Far greater is the craving to do the precise will of God. Desiring to accomplish our purpose is that very golden key to winning. We must desire the ultimate product of our prophetic vision more than the pleasures of the moment. That’s what Moses did (Heb. 11:25). Will you desire to know the great plan for your life? Will you connect to God and find His purpose? Will you desire to accomplish it? Without desire you can’t achieve your soul's potential.
Wisdom fixes her eyes on the prize – rather than the obstacles. Wisdom learns to make choices on what could be, rather than what is. Wisdom forgoes immediate results anticipating that the overall vision leads to worlds not yet imagined. Responding to Godly desire is the day weakness is cast away forever — and the people of Zion emerge a strong city (Is. 26:1-2).
Desire = a passionate longing, a want, a craving. A magnetic-like attraction (As the deer panteth for the waterbrook — Ps. 42:1).
Function of Godly desire:
Godly desire is the force of expectation that motivates us toward prophetic vision.
Expectation motivates and propels us to our purpose: it gives meaning and direction. In most decisions, our choice is (1) a meaningful activity or (2) a less-meaningful activity. If we operate in Godly desire, then this decision-making process is easy.
Desire builds strong philosophical values in a correct manner.
Desire gives the central theme from which our life makes sense. Our individual activities and goals are not random, but rather extensions from our overall life-theme.
Desire grants inner strength and momentum. If our lives move toward our desire, we experience peace and courage even when we encounter struggles and suffering.
Accomplishing meaningful desire gives satisfaction. Even if the results are not perfect, we know that "we fought the good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7).
David desired the Lord so much that he groaned, Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee (Ps. 38:9). Not only do we desire, but also the Spirit of God desires so much for us to find our right path that He intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Rom. 8:26). Our success comes only because He actively intercedes concerning the working of our lives.
As our minds become filled with accomplishing His desires, we change progressively from glory to glory, to greater levels. The Lord actually puts inside of us the desire of our heart (Psa. 37:4). I used to believe that meant that I could have whatever I wanted (desired). But now I understand that even greater than that, God gives me His desires. He plants His desires within my nature.
1 King 10:13 speaks of great desire, And King Solomon (a type of God) gave unto the queen of Sheba (a type of the bride) all her desire, whatsoever she asked… God wants to enhance our particular desires.
Our greatest desire should be to find the wisdom of God. That’s what this book is about — obtaining the wisdom of God. Proverbs 3:15 says, She (wisdom) is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (KJV).
Ps 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (KJV)
Prov 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. (KJV) Accomplishing desire creates the fruit that the Husbandman waits to receive. God offered the Tree of Life in the garden, and He offers it to us today. That GOD-LIFE consummates our desires. No longer bound in mediocrity and defeat, we arise in conscious awareness that we have taken on the character and likeness of the Almighty. A new mentality irresistibly aims us forward into the unlimited future. We BECOME His desire.
What is God’s desire for you? Where is your Promised Land? It is the place where God enthrones upon the LIFE HE breathes into you. Finding and fulfilling that ultimate desire brings satisfaction and happiness. Think about the fact that no one has ever existed like you. You have special and unique abilities, interests, and experiences that make you – you. Have you noticed how some things come easy? That's because you have God-given natural strengths or talents in those areas. Just concentrate on these strengths. Dig them out of the ground where they’ve been buried and grow the Tree of Life.
Allow the Lord to bring forth your latent potential and capability into functional ministry. Desire to find the release into your foreordained purpose — to become who you already are inside. Discover your true identity. decide to fulfill it. Determine your priorities. The desire to diligently fulfill your prophetic vision will lead you.
What you do with your life is what will happen.
Aspire toward your desire:
Let that desire be exclusively and inexorably linked to the will of the Father.
Let your goals arise naturally into clear action.
Enjoy the journey of life toward God’s desire.
See progress in everything you do.
Set your own standard and don’t be controlled by what others think.
Prepare for momentum and drive toward success. Work toward desire.
Prepare to be satisfied with nothing less than the unconditional completion of all God’s purposes for your life.
Diligence:
Obtaining happiness requires the reexamination of the basic premises by which you live your life and a starting afresh with clear awareness and decisiveness of where you really should go. You’re the steward of your life. Only through great desire will you have the diligence to perform the necessary tasks and overcome adversity.
Adversity causes some men to break – and others to break records.
William A. Ward
Building with Wisdom takes work. You can’t sit around wishing that things would work out. When Elisha asked for a double portion, Elijah replied, “Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken…” (2 Kings 2:10). Then several times, Elijah tried to trick him into not being around at the right time. Elisha must have felt discouraged. He had to be persistent and work to obtain his objective. When you have a dream, you must be willing to do what it takes to make it happen. Relentless and resolute persistence is the condition to obtaining the dream.
Self-diligence can be defined as making application with a careful degree of effort toward a known objective. It is simply doing what must be done, regardless of whether we feel like doing it or not. It’s usually easier to stop thinking about it – and just do it. Even if we “hate” the individual job, we need to diligently stick to our decisions no matter what. Diligence leads to the discovery of new dignity, invigorated creativity, vitality, spontaneity, and … even some laughter.
Where do we find that elusive key of self-diligence? Poets and philosophers have searched for centuries. But, we need to search no further. The Bible tells us that God has already given us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). All that’s left for us is to see the house we’re to become – unlock our passion – then transform our thinking and manage our lives.
** Write about the issues you now face that require you to have diligence.
** Write about how you can live your life more redemptively.
Soooo, you’re waking up?
Now that we’re wakeful, we wonder where we’ve been the rest of our lives! Becoming cognizant of our God-given prophetic vision takes us to the exciting discovery of our dramatic God-given desires. Now, only diligently following those desires can begin to break us free from the mental imprisonment of previous lifestyles. Discipleship means being a “diligent or trained one.” The Greek word is matheteuo; to become a pupil, enroll as scholar, to be instructed and taught. Diligence is the portal into actualizing LIFE. It opens the way to discover this whole possibility of being successful.
Jesus diligently focused Himself toward what needed to be done. Luke 9:51 says that He resolutely set out to go to Jerusalem (NIV), He steadfastly set His face to go (NKJ), He was determined to go (NASU), He moved steadily onward with and iron will (LB), He set His face as a flint on the goal. In like determination, Paul purposed to change the world (Acts 19:21).
The main reason for unhappiness is the trading of what we want (desire) most for what we want right now.
Diligence... it’s not a ninety-nine cent item at the fast-food restaurant. I can’t grit my teeth and wish that I can have it. No. Godly character doesn’t come from a list of things to do. It’s not accomplished by will power. It’s no longer just hearing and doing that matters. To the NEW CREATION, what matters is BEING. And that means slowly becoming more like Him.
Diligence comes by experience.
Diligence requires sustained daily effort.
Moving toward God’s directive is the ultimate factor in determining success.
Your godly Vision Causes Wise decisions:
The unrenewed nature wrestles against this vision, trying to perpetuate an internal struggle between your wants and God’s plan. It tries to draw you back into sorrow. But, each time you diligently choose to break free from the power of your already dead “old man,” you move toward your prophetic vision. Today, you can begin to purposefully disengage from that old life — like an infant from the umbilical, like the space shuttle from its booster. Each day as you move towards God’s plan, you become more whole. It’s conscious living.
Vision reveals the God-given blueprint for our building. If we don’t have a vision – then we won’t have a well-built life. God-given prophetic vision enables every decision. When we face a dilemma of what to do next, we must remember that our decisions create our future reality.
Wisdom = The ability to acquire vision, to decide correctly
and then follow the best course of action.
There are times when we just don’t know what to do. Maybe we’re just confused. A lot of us avoid making a decision, for fear of making the wrong one. That’s when we need to remember that God can take even our worst mistakes and somehow work it for our good.
There are times when some decisions seem urgent. We exist in a world that coerces us to conform and to perform urgently. Distractions are always present – and they’re never passive. They often come to coax us into double-mindedness. Our choices can build us or to bind us. We must discern each possibility. That’s why we spell success: M.a.k.i.n.g. G.o.o.d. D.e.c.i.s.i.o.n.s.
Remember that we are the product of our decisions.
Every decision moves us in the direction of our future.
Not making the right decisions could limit our lives! We should watch out for unexpected choices that could change the course of our lives: Samson lost sight of his overall game plan by allowing Delilah to bring him to his limits. Esther, on the other hand, made the choice to endanger her position of royalty in order to fulfill her purpose and save her people. Baby Moses floated down the bulrushes in the little basket – lost until the Pharaoh’s daughter decided to rescue him. Rahab decided to lie and saved the spies. Then there were people like Simeon & Anna who chose to reach beyond the confined limits of their lives into the place of their destiny and purpose.
Jesus arrived at this place of decision. He told Pontius Pilate, “Toward this end, I was born.” He knew the plan for His life and died to keep it. Jesus continued to give us the example, “I must be about my Father’s business.” Gethsemane was a decision. We can choose the mundane or to obtain the Pearl of Great Price. We must seek the kingdom. Using wisdom to make correct choices and detail our lives is a sacred obligation.
You haven’t been this way before (Josh.3:4).
Actualizing dreams depends on the ability to perceive those special kairos moments and then make correct decisions. Kairos times are highly charged with urgency to break into uncharted realms and to cooperate with the global plan for this earth. We must discern that call to significance and proceed with clarity. It’s the “new thing” (Is. 42:9).
Still, there are non-negotiable assignment that we must do them. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 commands us to rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things. Hold fast to good.
Wisdom leads to correct decisions in these areas of life (Proverbs):
Being rightly related to God.
Moral excellence.
Diligence (10:4-5).
Food (12:11, 20:13, 27:18, 28:19)
Sobriety (20:1, 23:20).
Responsibility (12:24).
Self-satisfaction (24:4).
Ease (15:19).
Honor (22:29).
Wealth and life (33:4).
Grace (3:34).
Being “lowly in spirit” (16:19).
Patience and self-control (14:29, 17:27, 19:11, 29:11).
Settles quarrels (15:18).
Courage (28:1),
Love (10:12, 6:6).
Truthfulness (12:17, 19, 22, 14:5).
Kindness (11:17).
Kindness to animals (12:10)
Kindness to poor and needy (14:21, 31, 19:17).
Generosity (11:25, 22:9).
Honesty as a witness in court (12:17).
Honesty in business transactions (11:1, 16:11).
Teachableness (10:8, 12:1, 13:1, 13, 18, 15:5).
Using correct words in restraint (10:19, 11:12, 13:3, 15:28).
Making wise decisions changes what needs to be changed.
Being wise means that you build the house and become all that God intended. Every quality in His Name is yours: abundance, excellent overcoming, provision, health, and protection. Discipleship (obtaining image and likeness) establishes you in readiness and priority positioning. Just stretch out and run to obtain the prize of the high calling – it’s just ahead.
**Review outloud your hidden dreams. Remember the little anecdotal example about the violinist who could play exquisite music only when the violin strings were tuned in proper tension daily. In that comparison, we can only grow when extended beyond what we are today to whom we can be tomorrow.
While trying to become diligent and make wise decisions, we need to just mention some of the down sides that you may not be prepared to face unless you know about them.
Discouragement. Progress may be slower than you expect. Continue at a comfortable pace knowing that real changes occur only at their own speed; this speed might seem quick on some days, and slow on others. A gentler pace gives the time to reinforce new habits through repetition.
Impatience. Be willing to try many different approaches. Because we’re different types of people with different goals, a single technique won’t work for everybody. There’s no “pat answer.”
Ineffectiveness. Express your new resolves by acting "as if" they are true; behave as if you were the person you want to be with the behavior and thoughts that you desire. If the new "you" is based on a reexamination of your God-given vision, then this “acting out” is based on neither falsehood nor superficial manipulation — it becomes the honest behavior of the new you. Eventually, the new script becomes incorporated into your personality, and it is now "who you really are."
Beware of the possible downside to making changes. There may be obstacles such as:
When we change, we’re no longer who we were. There may be feelings of emptiness as we lose the perceived benefits from undesirable behaviors.
An obsession with the self. Sometimes, excessive introspection may div
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The burden of the responsibility. Sometimes we might feel that change becomes a treadmill requiring constant effort. At those times, we can slack off and take a day to relax.
Relapses. They might indicate that the chosen goal wasn't right for us. Some relapses can be disregarded as a part of the natural ups-and-downs of the growth process, but relapses require close inspection.
Alienation of friends and family. Although we are becoming a "better" person, some people might be uneasy.
Idealism. Progress doesn't necessarily mean that we’ll conquer all of our problems; it means going from one group of difficulties to another.
A worsening of conditions. Sometimes, moving forward makes circumstances temporarily worse and not better.
We build and construct our lives by changing into WISDOM.
Find the purpose of God. Build the structure that incorporates wisdom.
Possess the desire to change toward that purpose — the door to a new house. In order to change on the outside, we must change on the inside.
Decide to give your attention to this desire to change. Set your will upon this desire. (Is. 1:19). Mortify your own desires. “Thy will be done.”
Learn to make diligent, voluntary, and purposeful transformation.
Participate in the Awesome Reverence of God.
Deepen your knowledge base; obtain the information needed to change.
Let understanding be the mirror to your change. See yourself putting action upon your desire — allow your life to reflect the will of God.
Transformation comes by a righteous resolve, and God induced effort to change; it is not the work of human flesh. This yields a great to desire to apprehend the Wisdom of God.
Wisdom will build the house of God.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.
(Col. 3:23 NIV)
wisdom builds the house
Lady Wisdom:
Wisdom = the conviction of a fixed upright order to which wise people submit their life.
Throughout this book, we’ll study how the Proverb’s lady named Wisdom built her house. We’ll find that our Wise woman desired to fulfill her destiny. Therefore, she has something to say and she goes out to where the people are. Her passionate desire propels her earnest message. Her lifestyle extends her message (diligent discipleship). She intends to enlighten others – that’s her purpose.
Wisdom is always described as a woman. The Bible is filled with profound examples of wise women who touched the world in powerful and meaningful ways. It was Solomon’s way of describing the qualities incorporated in that concept. So, don’t be put off about this being a story about a woman – by now, most of us know that the church is described as a woman, so we all have to learn to become that virtuous bride who embodies the attributes of wisdom.
Solomon tells us to love this woman called “Wisdom.” After all, (Prov. 4:6) he knew about all kinds of women, but only found one. Wisdom is the one virtuous woman depicted in Proverbs 31. She perceived what needed to be accomplished (the plan) and did it with fervor. It wasn’t with virtue like we think of today as chastity and innocence. No. Two hundred times the Hebrew Bible translates cha-yil as “force or ability,” but only in this instance is it translated “virtue or chastity.” (Strongs #ity, cha-yil, means might, strength, power, able, valiant, valor, riches, substance, and wealth). Cha-yil means to be a potent powerful force that accomplishes tasks.
31:11, She did not make foolish decisions.
31:16, She used discretion and didn’t make hasty choices.
31:18, She was wise in business dealings.
31:26, She used thoughtful words and didn’t speak without thinking.
31:28, Her home was harmonious with healthy relationships.
Let’s interpret this Proverb again with new understanding. This valiant, watchful, and alert wife never sat idle (v27). She built because she was enlightened to know and understand (had revelation of) her “strength, force and ability” in God. That’s why her husband trusted her. And God will trust you.
What this Proverbs woman does (1:20-23)
Wisdom crieth (shouts with joy earnestly to be heard)
Without; she uttereth her voice in the streets (open broad places):
She crieth in the chief place of concourse (a place of “rat-race,” or “at
noisy intersections” – Berkeley)
In the openings (entrances)
Of the gates (she speaks to important people about important subjects):
In the city she uttereth her words. Wisdom is not confined to her home or her church, she goes into the city market places and through the arenas of government. She doesn’t hide from the real world, nor does she become tainted by it.
What wisdom says:
How long, ye simple (foolish, silly, stupid, or carnal)
Ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorers (those of derision)
Delight in their (emphatic) scorning, and fools (fat or stupid ones)
Hate knowledge (being aware)? She sure doesn’t beat around the bush, but is direct, knowing that change will enable greatness. Look at the following promise.
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,
I will make known my words unto you. (KJV) Wisdom calls the simple to repentance and then promises to fill them with God’s spirit. That will allow them to “know” the words that she speaks are true.
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this:
that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
Eccl. 7:11-12 NIV
Advantages & attributes of wisdom.
In wisdom, God made all earth’s creatures (Ps. 104:24-26).
The wise listen and add to their learning (Prov. 1:2-7).
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, (Prov. 2:12)
It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife. (2: 16 NIV)
Wisdom adds years to your life (Prov. 3:16).
Wisdom could be passed from person to person. Moses laid hands on Joshua, who was then filled with the spirit of wisdom (Deut. 34:9).
It leads you along straight paths (Prov. 4:11).
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered (Prov. 4:12).
You must turn your ear to wisdom (Prov 2:2).
When you run, you will not stumble (Prov. 4:10-.12).
Wisdom allows you to maintain discretion and your lips preserve knowledge (Prov. 15:7).
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning (Prov 10:13).
Wise men store up knowledge (Prov. 10:14).
A man is praised according to his wisdom (Prov. 12:8).
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning (Prov 14:33).
Wisdom is better to get than gold (Prov 16:16).
Wisdom is found in those who take advice (Prov. 13:10).
With humility comes wisdom (Prov 11:2).
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways… (Prov 14:8)
The wise show restraint (Prov 23:4).
A wise man has great power (Prov 24:5-6).
Wisdom is sweet to the soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
And he who walks in wisdom is kept safe (Prov 24:14).
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father (Prov 29:3).
The rod of correction imparts wisdom (Prov 29:15).
A wise wife speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction (Prov. 31:26).
The wise man has eyes in his head (Eccl. 2:14).
God endows the heart with wisdom and gives understanding to the mind (Job 38:36-37).
Wisdom is found among the aged (Job 12:12).
One wise man is more powerful than ten rulers in a city (Eccl. 7:19).
A poor wise man delivered the city by his wisdom (Eccl. 9:14-15).
Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Eccl. 9:18).
Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its appearance (Eccl. 8:1).
A discerning man keeps wisdom in view... (Prov 17:24).
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook (Prov 18:4).
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul (Prov 19:8).
Wisdom comes from God to administer justice (1 Kings 3:28).
Wisdom gives patience to overlook an offense (Prov 19:11 NIV).
The Two Sides of Wisdom:
Zophar claimed that Job just wanted to hear himself talk and that he was a mocker. However, in this unfortunate dialogue, we learn a very important truth about wisdom. Job 11:5-6, Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. NIV
Barnes Notes talks about this thought of the two sides of wisdom: “Of the words used in the Hebrew, the sense of two sides is not difficult. The word kiplayim, "double," … means a doubling… that of two folds, or double folds, and the sense here is that the wisdom of God is … complicated, inexplicable, or manifold. It is not spread out and plain, but is enfolded, so that it requires to be unrolled to be understood… Hence, it means that the wisdom of God is… so enfolded, so complex, that it greatly surpasses our comprehension.”
We only see a small part of the "secrets" of His wisdom — the remainder of His wisdom (still unfolded), is far above our current grasp. Only a very small part is unrolled so that we can read it. When will we peer into that which remains unopened? When will we penetrate the involutions, so as to perceive and understand it? Yes, it is reserved for us to discover throughout our life in the eternal now.
The other facets of Wisdom:
As our thinking changes, then our soul heals and our spirit deepens. We live by every Word of God (Matt. 4:4) and are able to reproduce it. Luke 21:15, For I will give you a mouth (to declare) and wisdom (sophia, insight into the true nature of things), which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (KJV) Nothing can resist!
1 Cor 12:8, For to one is given by the Spirit the word (logos) of wisdom... (KJV)
Job 28:12-19, But where can wisdom (Chokmah, the ability to make the right choices at the opportune time.) be found?… Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. The deep says, `It is not in me'; the sea says, `It is not with me.' It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver…the price of wisdom is beyond rubies…
2 0-23 Where then does wisdom come from? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells …When he... made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it (NIV).
Proverbs 9:12 sums it up, “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” If you… you… alone. This shows that you control the choice of your own fate.
the gift
King Solomon was called the wisest man and he used that wisdom to construct God’s house. Let’s examine further characteristics of Solomon’s wisdom. 1 Kings 3:9 tells us that Solomon could discern between good and evil. 1 Kings 4:29-31 says, God “gave” Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt (type of worldly wisdom 1 Kings 10:24). The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. NIV This Godly wisdom didn’t come naturally; it was a gift (2 Kings 4:33). Wisdom is in the deepest sense a divine gift (see Acts 6:10; 1 Cor 2:6; 12:8; Eph 1:17; Col 1:9; 3:16; James 1:5; 3:15-17
The Queen of Sheba (whose name meant seven, fullness, and completeness) recognized this wisdom by seven OBSERVABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: she saw (1 Kings 10:4-5) the temple, the food on his table, his servants, the attendants, the waiters and how they were dressed, his cupbearers, and his entry way. The gift of Wisdom allowed Solomon to display a competent lifestyle.
But, what a paradox — the wisest man ended his life unwisely! At least by the end of his life, he did recognize his foolishness. Solomon’s life illustrates that “once wise” doesn’t mean “always wise.” Like the rest of us, Solomon was influenced by his passive decisions, peer pressure, and external social expectations (Ecc. 11:9).
To understand God’s wisdom, we must examine the “should have been” strength of Solomon as a king. We can learn how to properly use this wisdom for ourselves and not make the same mistakes. This passionate desire to operate in the force of accurate wisdom and to correctly rule the government of God brings to pass the new-dimensional revelation that greatly impacts our cities and nations.
Building our “sure house.”
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
1 Cor 3:14 NIV
As we compare building our life to building a house, the Scriptures tell us about other people who “should have made it.” There was an ancient priest named Eli who failed to teach his sons properly. The sons lived an ungodly life and Eli didn’t do anything about it. Therefore, God raised-up another leader who would replace Eli (1 Samuel 2:35), And I will raise me up a faithful priest, who shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a SURE HOUSE; and he shall walk before my anointed forever.
This same terminology is used again about Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:38), 1 Kings 11:38 … If thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments. I will be with thee, and build thee a SURE HOUSE… (KJV). There are four issues to notice on both these verses about the sure house.
The sure house is also translated “a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David” (NIV). A sure house is one that can stand the test of time. That means that our lives don’t regress into sloppy or undisciplined ones. We need to focus on endurance and the long haul – so that our house will withstand the storms and not collapse to temptation. A sure house will stand up under pressure and chastening. Notice also that in each example, the building of this sure house is predicated on obedience. It’s not enough to be willing, or to have good intentions, or to want to have a house.
We must build a life of obedience and not self-seeking.
When Joshua was one hundred years old he said, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. His “house” represented the various components of his life. The “me” and the “my” of this statement not only represent his family but his own body and soul coming into line with his spiritual decision.
God builds the house and we help. Psalm 127:1 confirms it, Except the Lord build the house, they labor (to burdensomely toil and labor severely without joy) in vain that build it. The believer must labor with God in obedience. We understand that becoming a “sure house” means that we BECOME what is in God’s heart and mind.
Guarding your house moves you to new dimensions:
The first Passover (a picture of our salvation) illustrates the critical urgency demanded of the believer to guard his own house. (Exodus 12:17-51). This intense personal preparation is the ultimate requirement before transitioning to the next dimension. As we study this famous feast, let’s consider how it applies to our living a life of wisdom.
No uncircumcised person was allowed to participate (43-51).
On the first day of the first month of the year, (Nissan — our March/ April), leaven (that which spreads rapidly) was to be removed from the whole house. Removal of leaven represents a type of separation from sin. Characteristics of internal defilement and old patterns that could grow were to be purged from each house (see 1 Cor. 5:6-8).
A holy convocation was called and no one could stand “afar off” (Ex. 12:16).
Each household must participate in the experience for themselves, but they could share the Lamb with their neighbor if needed.
The sacrificial lamb (for each house) was killed (1 Pet. 1:19-20) at twilight by the whole assembly in a spirit of oneness (we all killed Him). This entire sacrifice implies multiple sacrifices counted as one corporate Sacrifice by God.
The unblemished lamb (Ex. 12:5, 1 Pet. 1:19) was killed (Ex. 12:6, John 12:24, 27), roasted in the fire with unleavened bread (type of sanctified walk and conversation (Mark 8:15, Gal. 5:9), and bitter herbs (which represent repentance (2 Cor. 2:15-17).
The Israelites were to be fully dressed and ready to go (vs. 11, see Eph. 6:14, Heb. 12:2). Their shoes were to be on their feet (ready to run — see also Acts 7:33, 13:25). The staff was to be in their hand (ready to run farther – Ps. 23:4, Zech. 8:4, Heb. 11:21).
The lamb was to be eaten in haste (acted out in faith—ready to leave any moment).
Apparently the lamb was slain at the threshold or doorway of the house. Hyssop dipped in blood must then cover the lintel and two doorposts (prefiguring blood at His head, hands and feet) at the door (of our temple —heart Ex. 12:7, Heb. 9:22) so that the Lord would “pass over” (meaning hop, skip, dance, leap) and not allow the destroyer to come into the house. Only the blood made the immunity difference between the Israelite and Egyptian households.
Israel’s actions speak of our needed behavior modifications in order for protection and survival during crisis. “Now the blood shall be a sign on your house” (vs. 13).
This would be a night of awakened vigil with thanksgiving to the LORD for bringing them out of Egypt (vs. 42). All past subjugation, philosophical supposition, heritage, custom, tradition, and blinding mentalities must be put aside – leaving them vigilant for the final dispatchment assignments of the Lord.
They were to stay in the house until daybreak (under protection provided in their dwelling place with God). Observance of these expectations was a matter of life and death.
“On that very same day” that Israel went forth from Egypt” – the new order broke free and began great exploits.
A memorial (remembrance, celebration) of Passover was to be kept forever (vs. 14). Jesus became the Passover Lamb for our house which we celebrate with the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 27:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, John 13:1-30 etc.). As we obey and respond in faith, we move to new dimensions.
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