Following the death of David, the children of Israel enjoyed a time of prosperity unlike any they had known before or ever would experience again. They weren't wandering around in a desert, they weren't fighting their enemies. They were safe, they were at peace.
Throughout history, man has longed to be safe and at peace but has seldom found that to be the case. It is part of the human condition, this constant bickering and fighting, constantly trying to amass wealth at the expense of someone else. It's not how God created us to be, it's not the ideal, because safety cannot be found in others, only in the Lord. Israel may have been safe as a result of all of David's conquests. They may have been safe because Solomon in all of his wisdom forged strong bonds with his neighbors. But the greatest guarantee of their safety was in God. The fact that a good portion of the time was dedicated to building God's temple meant that people had their minds on the right things, not their own situation. Looking to God, taking care of his business, insures a safety that all of our treaties, fortresses, and weapons cannot provide.
2010 Post - 1 Kings 4-7: Peace and Prosperity
No comments:
Post a Comment