AGENDA – THE WISDOM OF GOD WAS IN HIM

OPENING PRAYER - Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to read and study Your Word. Please guide our thoughts and open our hearts to understand the truths You want to reveal. In Jesus' name, Amen.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – The Wisdom of God Was in Him
YOU ARE HERE - Burnt offerings and offerings of well-being were the sacrifices that faithful Israelites offered according to the commandments that God gave to Moses in Leviticus 1-7. Solomon made these offerings as a tangible demonstration of his gratitude and his faithfulness to God. 
What are some ways that you make offerings of gratitude and faithfulness to God?
In modern practice, offerings of gratitude and faithfulness often shift from ritual sacrifices to personal acts of service, stewardship, and devotion. 
Financial Stewardship
Many express faithfulness through consistent giving, such as tithing (giving ten percent of income) or supporting missions and local charities [2]. These acts mirror the ancient practice of returning a portion of one's "first fruits" to God [2]. 
Acts of Service and Mercy
Offering one's time and skills is a tangible way to show gratitude. This includes: 
•	Volunteering at food banks, shelters, or within a church community [3].
•	Mentorship, where individuals share their spiritual journey or professional skills to help others grow [3].
•	Acts of Kindness, treating daily interactions with strangers as opportunities to reflect divine love [4]. 
Spiritual Discipline and Prayer
Faithfulness is often demonstrated through the "sacrifice of praise." This involves: 
•	Consistent Prayer and Meditation, dedicating specific times of the day to commune with God regardless of circumstances [4].
•	Fasting, which serves as a physical reminder of reliance on spiritual sustenance over material needs [2].
•	Public Testimony, sharing stories of God's work in one's life to encourage others [4]. 
Living Sacrifice
Referencing Romans 12:1, many believers view their entire lifestyle as an offering. This means making ethical choices in the workplace, practicing forgiveness in relationships, and caring for one's physical health as a form of stewardship over "the temple of the Holy Spirit"

AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – SOLOMON'S WISDOM IN JUDGMENT
SCENIC VIEW - The biblical books of Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes are all associated with Solomon. They are collections of the wise proverbs and songs for which he was so renowned. The Wisdom of Solomon is also associated with Solomon. It is part of the Apocrypha, ancient texts often included in Bibles between the Old and New Testaments.
TRAIL CROSSING - Mount Moriah is an important place for the people of Israel. In Genesis 22:2, it is where Abraham goes to offer as sacrifice his son, Isaac.
YOU ARE HERE - The things that are put in the temple are made from gold and finest gemstones. It was the people's way of offering their very best to God for his house. 
What are some ways that we can offer our very best to God?
Offering our very best to God today mirrors the spirit of Solomon’s temple by dedicating the highest quality of our internal and external resources to His service. While the physical temple required gold and gemstones, modern believers are called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices," reflecting God's glory through excellence in every area of life. 
1. Professional Excellence and Integrity
Work is viewed as a primary context for worship. Offering your best in the workplace includes:
•	Wholehearted Effort: Working with complete dedication as if for God rather than human masters.
•	Quality and Craftsmanship: Choosing to produce high-quality work and not cutting corners, even when no one is watching.
•	Moral Integrity: Honoring God by adhering to strict ethical standards, avoiding gossip, and treating colleagues with respect. 
2. Stewardship of "Firstfruits"
The ancient practice of offering the best of the harvest translates to giving God priority over possessions today:
•	Financial Prioritization: Tithing the first ten percent of gross income rather than giving from what is left over.
•	Time Management: Dedicating the first moments of the day to prayer and Scripture when the mind is most fresh.
•	Skill Development: Intentionally sharpening personal talents and skills to better serve the church and community. 
3. Adorning the "Living Temple"
Since believers are considered the temple of the Holy Spirit, they "adorn" this temple through character and conduct:
•	Holy Living: Guarding thoughts, conversations, and habits to maintain spiritual purity.
•	Apt Speech: Offering "words aptly spoken” truthful and encouraging words that build others up.
•	Physical Stewardship: Caring for one's health, diet, and rest as a way to honor the physical body God created. 
4. Sacrificial Service and Love
Offering the "best" often requires personal cost or sacrifice:
•	Radical Generosity: Giving beyond the tithe to meet specific needs of the marginalized, even when it requires personal lifestyle adjustments.
•	Active Advocacy: Using one's influence and resources to fight for the dignity and rights of the vulnerable.
•	Unconditional Forgiveness: Choosing to forgive others as an act of obedience, reflecting God's own compassion.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE ARK BROUGHT INTO THE TEMPLE
TRAIL CROSSING - Here we have another early description of people praising and worshiping God through music. This same couplet can be found throughout the psalms (100, 118, 136).
SCENIC VIEW - Again and again, God promises to be with the people, as long as they remain faithful to him, but that love requires a response from the people. God warns the people clearly of the consequences that will befall them if they turn astray.
Scripture Citations 
1 KINGS 3:1-28 | 4:29-30, 32-34 | 7:51 | 11:1-13 2 CHRONICLES 3:1-14, | 4:19-22 | 5:2, 6-8, 10-14 | 7:1-5, 12-22
QUESTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY 
1.	When God appears to Solomon at Gibeon, he says, "Ask what I should give you." What would you ask God for if he appeared to you in a dream? 
2.	Solomon is renowned for his wisdom. Who are some of the wise people in your life? What words of wisdom have they spoken to you? 
3.	Solomon is responsible for building the temple, the sacred place of worship where God chooses to dwell among the people. What do you notice about the temple? How does it compare to the places where you have worshiped God? 
4.	The story says that "the glory of the Lord filled the temple." Where are some of the places that you have seen "the glory of the Lord"? What was that like? 
5.	Thus far in the story, we have heard the stories of many different leaders: Abraham, Moses, Deborah, Saul, David, and Solomon. How do these leaders compare to one another? What similarities have you seen, and what differences have you noted?
6.	The people of Israel repeatedly beg God for a king, like other nations have, and God gives them what they ask for. How does the reality of kingship compare to what they might have wanted? What might we learn from their experience?
These questions dive deep into the heart of the Old Testament narrative, shifting from the nomadic tents of the patriarchs to the golden era of the monarchy. Here are some reflections on Solomon’s journey and the broader story of Israel’s leadership.

1. The Request for Wisdom
In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asks for an "understanding mind" (literally a "hearing heart") to govern the people. If faced with that choice, many find that asking for perspective or empathy is the modern equivalent. While Solomon asked for wisdom to lead others, one might ask for the clarity to see the "next right step" in their own life or the ability to see people as God sees them.
2. Living Wisdom
Wisdom today often looks less like solving a "baby in half" dispute and more like steadfastness. The wise people in our lives are often those who have survived seasons of grief or change without losing their kindness. A common "word of wisdom" from such mentors is: "Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do." It’s a reminder that wisdom is often about focus and stewardship of the present moment.
3. The Temple vs. Modern Worship
The Temple in Jerusalem was a sensory overload—cedar wood, gold overlays, carved pomegranates, and the smell of incense. It was designed to be a "microcosm" of Eden.
•	Comparison: Most modern worship spaces are "auditorium-style," focused on the ear (preaching/music), whereas the Temple was focused on the eye and the nose (ritual/sacrifice).
•	Presence: While the Temple was the specific dwelling place of God’s Name, many today find God in "thin places"—small chapels or even outdoor spaces—where the architecture doesn't overwhelm but rather invites quiet.
4. Witnessing "The Glory"
In the Bible, "glory" (kavod) implies weight or heavy presence. People often describe seeing this today in:
•	Nature: The overwhelming "weight" of a mountain range or a silent snowfall.
•	Community: Moments of intense reconciliation or communal grief where you feel a "thickness" in the air that wasn't there before. It usually feels like a mixture of awe and peace.
5. A Tale of Six Leaders
Looking back at the leaders so far, a fascinating pattern emerges:
•	The Reluctant (Moses & Saul): Both started with humility and excuses, but Moses leaned into God while Saul leaned into his own insecurity.
•	The Warriors (Deborah & David): Both were bold and unconventional. Deborah provided stability when men were afraid; David provided a "heart" for God, even amidst deep personal failure.
•	The Builders (Abraham & Solomon): Abraham built altars and a family; Solomon built a nation and a Temple.
•	Similarities: All of them were chosen by grace, not because they were perfect.
•	Differences: The scale of their influence grew from a single family (Abraham) to a regional superpower (Solomon).
6. The Reality of Kingship
The Israelites wanted a king to "fight our battles" and make them look like a "real nation." According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops commentary, the reality was much darker.
•	The Trade-off: They wanted security, but they got taxation, conscription, and bureaucracy.
•	The Lesson: We often ask for "strong leaders" to solve our problems, but the Bible warns that giving too much power to any human institution often leads to oppression. The "king" they really needed wasn't a political figure, but a shepherd.
NEXT STEPS 
•	Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, and many of the books of the Bible known as "wisdom literature," including Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, are attributed to Solomon. Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 or Proverbs 12:1-26. What do these writings say about wisdom? Do you agree or disagree with that assessment? 
•	In addition to being renowned for wisdom, Solomon is known for his love of women. So, it is perhaps no surprise that the Song of Solomon (also called the Song of Songs) is attributed to him. Read Chapters 2, 7, and 8 of the Song of Solomon (or read the whole thing). What do you notice about the poetry of this book? Some say that this is about the love between humans the way that God intended it to be; others say that the poetry is a metaphor for the love between God and God's people. How do you hear this message?  
These two books represent opposite ends of the human experience: the grounded, practical advice of Proverbs/Ecclesiastes and the fiery, intimate passion of the Song of Solomon.

1. Wisdom as Discipline and Realism
If you look at Proverbs 12 and Ecclesiastes 5, wisdom is described through two different lenses:
•	Proverbs 12 (The Practical): Wisdom is equated with discipline and careful speech. It argues that "whoever loves discipline loves knowledge" and emphasizes that a wise person ignores an insult while a fool lets their annoyance be known immediately. It paints a world of cause and effect: if you are diligent and honest, you will flourish.
•	Ecclesiastes 5 (The Realistic): This takes a humbler approach. It warns against making "rash vows" to God and suggests that wisdom is found in contentment. It famously notes that those who love money never have enough.
Assessment: Many people agree with Proverbs on a day-to-day level (work hard, speak kindly), but find Ecclesiastes more comforting during hard times. The idea that we should simply "eat, drink, and find enjoyment in our toil" is a very modern, "mindful" take on wisdom that rings true in a high-stress world.
2. The Poetry of the Song of Solomon
Reading Song of Solomon 2, 7, and 8, the first thing you notice is the intense physical imagery. It uses nature—lilies, gazelles, vineyards, and spices—to describe the human body and the ache of longing. It is arguably the most "earthy" book in the Bible.
•	The Poetry: It is "dialogue-driven." It’s not just a poem about love; it’s a conversation between lovers. It captures the "hide and seek" nature of romance—the searching, the finding, and the deep desire for exclusivity ("My beloved is mine and I am his").
•	Human Love vs. Divine Metaphor:
o	The Human View: Many modern readers see this as a celebration of sexual and emotional intimacy without shame. It suggests that God considers human passion beautiful and holy in its right context.
o	The Divine View: Historically, many Jewish and Christian scholars (like St. Bernard of Clairvaux) viewed it as a metaphor for the soul's longing for God. They argue that human love is the only "language" strong enough to describe how much God desires a relationship with us.
The Middle Ground: Many find that you don't have to choose. If humans are made in the image of God, then the intensity of human love can be both a real experience and a dim reflection of a much larger, divine love.

CLOSING PRAYER - Lord, thank you for this time of study and for Your Word. As we leave, please help us to carry the truths we've learned into our daily lives and to live out Your teachings. May we continue to grow in faith and reflect Your love to others. Amen.