With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding
Job 12:13
According to Psychology Today, the average adult makes around 35,000 decisions every day! How can we be sure we are making wise choices for our lives? Although it may not be easy, I believe it's simple: trust God's word and follow peace in your heart.
In today's post I'll be drawing a comparison between two kings and their legacies. One has a legacy of making emotional reactions, taking no time to stop and think before responding to the situation. The other, a legacy of contemplating and considering what would be the best result for everyone, not just himself.
King Herod Beheads John the Baptist
He swore to her, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
...Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
Mark 6:23, 26
The Gospel of Mark tells the story of King Herod beheading a righteous prophet named John the Baptist. Herod had John imprisoned due to his wife Herodias. She was once the wife to Herod's brother and John confronted them about this unlawful act. Herodias resented John for convicting them of their affair and she convinced Herod to throw him in jail. She wanted John dead, but Herod wouldn't go that far; he still respected John and knew he was a holy man.
During Herod's birthday celebration the daughter of Herodias came into the banquet and danced in honor of Herod. Herod must've been euphoric during his party. I'm sure he had a drink in hand, all of his favorite people in attendance celebrating his special day. He was so pleased with the young woman's dancing that he made an emotional decision he would soon regret. He offered the girl anything that she wanted, up to even half of his kingdom if she asked for it. As it would turn out, Herodias's daughter went to her mother for advice on what to ask for. She told her daughter to request the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately. Herod felt sick once he realized that he entrapped himself with an oath in front of the congregation. Now he had two choices to make: go back on his oath and injure his pride in front of the people. Or follow through with the grotesque request and cut off the head of a servant of God for no good reason. Unfortunately, he chose to do the latter.
In the wisdom book of Proverbs it states, "The one who guards his mouth keeps his life from troubles". If Herod had been more disciplined in following wisdom instead of doing whatever his emotional state dictated at the time, perhaps he could've avoided the senseless murder of an innocent saint. Herod's demise later on in scripture is arguably even more grotesque than John's. It is written in Acts 12 that Herod had given a speech to the people, and they all began praising him as a god. Herod was so accustomed to reacting emotionally that he accepted their praise instead of giving it to the true God. He had failed again to take a moment to think before he responded to the situation. Once Herod accepted their praise as a god an angel of the Lord struck him with a disease. He was consumed with worms and died.
King Solomon Asks for Wisdom
Yahuah was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.
1 Kings 3:10
King Solomon loved God. He was raised in a God honoring household by his father King David. When David died and Solomon became king of Israel, he made a thousand burnt sacrifices to Yahuah in one day! God must've been pleased with Solomon because that same night God appeared to him in a dream. He told Solomon he could ask for anything and it would be given to him. Unlike King Herod, Solomon lived a life of studying God's word. He took time to contemplate what would be the wisest thing to ask for. He didn't allow his excitement to get the better of him and blurt out a reactionary answer. He responded by admitting he was young and inexperienced, even unqualified to rule over so many people. He humbled himself and asked God for wisdom to judge the people with justice. Yahuah then told Solomon that he was proud of his answer. So, God not only gave him wisdom, but everything else a human being would ever want to experience in this life. God gave him fame, fortune, health, peace - and so much more! After experiencing all the world had to offer, Solomon concluded that the meaning of life is a personal relationship with God.
Conclusion
Solomon's decision to ask for the ability to rule as a righteous king not only blessed the citizens during his reign, but to this day, his wisdom is blessing billions of people who read the scriptures. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon are all beautiful books in the bible that were authored by King Solomon. His legacy is one of a king who made wise decisions and was blessed, while King Herod's legacy is one of emotional reaction and dire consequences.
What legacy will we leave behind when we're gone?
Cheers friends.
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