December 16, 2023: Haftorah - I Kings 3:15-4:1
This week's Haftorah reading is from I Kings 3:15-4:1. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he looks deeply into the topic of wisdom, the kind that was found in King Solomon; True wisdom that will produce the fruits which reveal true justice! This is the type of wisdom that we all so desperately need to navigate in today's world!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – I Kings 3:15-4:1
In the Torah portion this week we see the wisdom of Joseph and how Elohim used him to save his people. We see this same wisdom in the narrative in the Haftorah about Solomon. The “wisdom of Elohim” was in Solomon (I Kings 3:28). Wisdom is defined as being able to live life skillfully or wisely. Noah Webster defined “wisdom” as “The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom to act, effect, or practice”.
Webster continues: “In Scripture Theology, wisdom is true religion, godliness, piety; the knowledge and fear of Elohim, and sincere and uniform obedience to His commands. This is wisdom which is from above.”
The Hebrew word for wisdom is “chokhma”, and the Bible tells us to acquire it at every cost: Proverbs 4:7 says, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
What exactly is wisdom? “Wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships.” The difference between wisdom and knowledge is that knowledge is to have an understanding of something. Meanwhile, wisdom is putting knowledge into action.
But why is it important to pursue wisdom at any cost? Solomon wrote by the Ruach, “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Prov. 4:5-7). We need to pray for it, take pains for it, give diligence in the use of all appointed means to attain it…no matter the cost!
In I Kings 3:16-27 we see wisdom in action. Two women that were harlots came before Solomon. Solomon had to discern between right and wrong by their own showing. These two women, kept a public house, and their children, some think, were born of fornication, because there is no mention of their husbands. It is probable the cause had been heard in the inferior courts before it was brought before Solomon and had been found special. The judges being unable to determine it, decided Solomon’s wisdom might be the better option. These two women lived in a house together where each of them delivered a son within three days of one another.
Solomon listens…how quickly we are able to judge another when we are not patient enough to listen. To have wisdom to dispense justice, one must be willing to listen to those who plead their understanding no matter who they are. There is no “respecter of persons” in the life of the servant of Yeshua. For “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Solomon received his wisdom from above, revealing his ability to judge these two women skillfully.
The women pleaded their case, told their stories about the two children and that one that died. Now they are both claiming to be the mother of the baby that is alive. Judgment must be righteous! Wisdom gave the king these words: “Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.” Wisdom from above bears the fruit of righteousness: “Then spoke the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, let it be neither mine nor hers, but divide it.” The love of one proved itself in the wisdom from above. “Then the king answered and said, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it; she is the mother thereof.” True wisdom will produce the fruits which reveal true justice.
True wisdom is revealed, a wisdom which includes the need to know both Elohim and man. It consists of two parts: the knowledge of Elohim and of ourselves. However, no one can look upon himself without immediately turning his thoughts to the contemplation of Elohim, in whom he “lives and moves” (Acts 17:28). Therefore, we must go to the Scriptures to be taught who Elohim is and what He requires of man who He has created.
It was revealed to the people of Elohim that Solomon was more than a man who became king, but one who was truly of Elohim and one who belonged to His Kingdom: “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of Elohim was in him to do judgment.” Wisdom from above reminds us that wisdom should be sought after with the same hunger and thirsting that we have for the Word of Elohim: “Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore, get wisdom and with all their getting get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7).
We cannot separate wisdom from the Word of Elohim! Therefore, we are to teach each generation: “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom: I have led thee in right paths. When thou goes’, thy steps shall not be straightened: and when thou runniest, thou shalt not stumble. Take hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she shall give thee life” (Prov. 4:11-13). In faith seek wisdom: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5-6).
Many verses throughout the Bible show us wisdom not only protects us, but it saves us and guards us from wickedness, seduction, and deception. To add to that, without wisdom we can easily fall into sin.
But wisdom aligns our hearts with Elohim’s heart and directs us in the path of righteousness. Furthermore, the wisdom of Elohim brings an abundance of blessings into our lives. “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear Adonai and humility comes before honor” (Prov. 15:33).
Wisdom brings great fruit, lasting treasures, long life, riches, honor, peace, life, and blessing. WOW! These verses should be motivation enough to seek out the wisdom of Elohim.
As we look at the Hebraic understanding on the source of wisdom, even though it costs all we have, the benefits outweigh the cost. That is because wisdom helps us know Elohim and fear Him above all else. So, knowledge is understanding who Elohim is, but wisdom is putting our fear and trust in Elohim. Knowledge is to have an understanding of the Word of Elohim. And wisdom is to walk in those truths each day.
The wisest decision we could make on this earth is to fear, respect, honor, and revere the King above all kings! And the more we press on to know Elohim and His wisdom, the more we can understand His ways and humbly walk hand in hand with Him all the days of our life.
Elohim is the generous keeper of wisdom, and He invites us to ask Him for help! As we turn to Elohim for wisdom, we can confidently know that He will give us the wisdom we need. Asking Elohim for wisdom keeps us in a place of reliance upon Him, trust in Him, and humility before Him. When we walk in Elohim’s wisdom, Elohim blesses us and entrusts us with even more than we can ask for or imagine!
And why is wisdom so important? Because the Messiah Himself is the wisdom of Elohim. So, when you need wisdom, remember to run to Yeshua and you will find the “chokhma” your heart is longing for, and so much more!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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Have a great Sabbath! Ask for wisdom and seek His knowledge and understanding. Gather at His House and dedicate yourself to the work of the Kingdom of Elohim! See you at the altar!
Shalom Aleichem