1 Kings 4:25, 27, 32-34

"During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety. And from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, each family had its own home and garden. …

The district governors faithfully provided food for King Solomon and his court; each made sure nothing was lacking during the month assigned to him. …

[Solomon] composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon."

 

 

 

Solomon had asked God for wisdom, and God gave it to him. This is what a wise and righteous leader effects: peace, safety, and prosperity. This is a picture of a government that's working. People had their jobs and roles; all was clear. Solomon delegated the running of the kingdom to others and concentrated on sharing his wisdom. This is a good model for a business and also a vision of what we want our elected officials to create. May God provide us with wise, godly leaders!

Proverbs 27:12

"A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
  The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

 

 

 

A clearheaded person looks ahead to discern possible pitfalls and dangers and takes precautions. Isn't this what our legal system is largely based upon? Business agreements, wills, and other legal documents attempt to foresee potential problems and make clear what should happen in different scenarios. The "simpleton" goes ahead, perhaps in "blind faith," and suffers the consequences for naiveté. Are there any situations in your life for which you need to take precautions? Clear-minded faith is one thing; vacant hope that things will turn out well, despite obvious dangers, is quite another

"Then Job replied to the LORD: . . .

"Then Job replied to the LORD: . . .

'I take back everything I said,

And I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.'

After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite:

'I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.'

So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.

When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!"

 

God restored (and even doubled) Job's fortunes only after Job prayed for his friends. Perhaps that was the one thing Job needed to do to be fully healed and restored. He got right with God, but also needed to get over the bitterness toward his friends who failed him in his hour of need. Could it be that God will not prosper us until we're right in all our relationships? And could it be that when we pray for others and seek their good, it results in our own blessing?