Two kings, King David and his son King Solomon, while flawed, both felt that preserving God’s Word and the temple of God was critical to the kingdom for generations to come. So much so that they wrote about God’s character and assigned a staff member to do so. While we don’t know precisely what all the staff did, we do know that there were 392 temple servants. Solomon and King David also recorded their thoughts in writings and songs. Some of which we now know as Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Why? Because these two kings knew without a doubt where their wisdom, blessings, and success came from! Both had thousands of men, women, and children under their rule. Both had countless responsibilities to govern correctly. Each could have used that power to rule as a dictator, yet they both sought the ultimate King’s power and authority. The reason is they, like us, wanted to get it right.
Similarly, we want the next generation to get it right, too! Like David and Solomon, we should be walking records of God’s Word and His will! Like them, we need to learn, teach, and pass on what an awesome Father in Heaven we have.
Solomon and David took this very seriously, so much so that they assigned others to record and protect God’s Word. Why? Through God’s Word, everything was created and is sustained: “For in Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or authorities; all things have been created through Him. He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16. It’s the glue that keeps us together––our families, businesses, and country.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
If you ask men what their goal in life is, many of us may say that it is to provide for our family, have a successful business, and be a good father and friend! All of these are honoring and worthy. The truth is that without God’s Word abiding in us and through us, none of this can exist. Yes, successful businesses and families can exist, but they will only produce earthly fruit rather than eternal fruit. Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4
Without God’s Word, our families are subject and vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. “Now the serpent was more crafty and subtle than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God (really) say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 Included in our Lord’s commands is that we show others the Truth. “In the same way your light must shine before people so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16
So, how important is God’s Word to you? Based on my current, very conservative calculations in today’s dollars, David and Solomon may have spent more than ten million dollars annually to record and preserve God’s Word, and this doesn’t include the time spent in personal prayer and writing. These 2900 years later, we still read about God’s wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Again, why? Because two men decided it was important! I might add that two flawed men read, wrote, financed, and taught God’s Word to their children and the generations to come. “Why?” you may ask. Because they knew that they, and others, could not bear real fruit without it.
Through God’s Word, all things were created, and all things are held together. By leaving His Word with us, we have a road map that helps us navigate life’s obstacles and gets us to our destination. Without it, people, kingdoms, and countries fall apart. As men, we should consider the time and cost King David and Solomon spent learning, teaching, and preserving the glue that holds everything together. We not only become a benefactor but also bless many generations to come. Two kings prospered under God’s Word! Yet many kingdoms have fallen without it! We need it, our families need it, and our country needs it! But it starts with us!
RTM, Stephen L. Thomas