Sharing Wisdom
A Sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 25, 2024
The Rev. Robin Teasley
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.
“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name —for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built. 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
I read two stories this week that I’d like to share with you. Here is the first story.
Once upon a time, there was a wise prince. Following his father's death, the prince assumed the throne and became king, married a beautiful princess from a neighboring kingdom, and began to govern his people. God appeared to him in a dream, promising to grant the new king whatever his heart desired.
The king was a humble man and refused to ask for wealth, power, or long life. Instead he said, "I am only a child. Therefore give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, and to discern between good and evil." God was pleased with the king's request, and promised not only to make this king the wisest human being in history, but also to grant him every other measure of greatness as well.
The king's good reputation spread across the land. In accordance with his wisdom and God's blessing, the king's wealth and power grew beyond measure. He made many political and economic alliances; maintained fleets of ships; built gorgeous temples and palaces and wrote the greatest wisdom literature of his time. The end.
Here's the second story.
Once upon a time, there was an ego-centric prince. After the king died, the prince arranged the murder of his older brother, the rightful heir, and assumed his father's throne. He had many of the enemies of his father killed. Then, believing himself to have divine wisdom and a divine mandate, he set out to build for himself a kingdom of wealth, prestige, and power.
To support his extravagant lifestyle, the king levied unbearable taxes, and conscripted thousands of people into forced labor to build impressive monuments to his name. To satisfy his desires, he had over seven hundred wives, and built altars to worship pagan gods in the high places.
His people could not bear the crushing burdens of taxation and slavery he had placed upon them. Because of his paganism, they no longer knew the difference between idolatry and true worship. Before his death the king found himself confronted by enemies. A civil war that would last for decades broke out across the land, dividing and finally destroying the once glorious kingdom. The end.
Which one of these stories is true? Which one of these kings was King Solomon? Was he wise or foolish? Humble or self-serving? A leader or a tyrant? What if the answer to all of these questions is yes? What if King Solomon was all of the above?
Our lectionary today gives us only a small part of the story about Solomon. The truth is, he was a man full of wisdom, but he was also fully human and far from perfect. If we are honest, we might admit the same about ourselves. We can be wise and we can be foolish, and sometimes we can be both of these things even before breakfast is over!
Webster’s dictionary says that wisdom is knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life; it’s the natural ability to understand things. A wise person once said that knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, and wisdom is not putting a tomato in a fruit salad. And Socrates said that the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
We usually hear about the wisdom of Solomon, though perhaps we are taught more, can learn more, by taking an honest look at Solomon’s entire life.
We might say that wisdom is the integration of knowledge, experience, and a deeper understanding that comes from God alone. While intelligence, or head knowledge, is one part of wisdom, to be wise also results from experience, and from our willingness to listen, and our willingness to be taught.
If you read the story of Solomon from start to finish, (1 Kings, chapters 1-11) it’s clear that while he was wise, he was far from perfect. None of us is perfect. It’s easier to say that others are not perfect than to admit our own flaws. Just listen to the news for a few minutes and you will hear people accusing everyone else of being imperfect. We are a nation of great wisdom, but if we will not listen to each other, if we do not remain open and teachable, the wisdom does us no good. What might our nation learn if we would listen to rather than attack one another?
There is a collective wisdom in this parish. It’s not determined by age or skill or advanced degrees. God has given every one of us gifts to use wisely and to share with others. Some of us have lived longer than others and have had many life experiences both difficult and joyful. We hold an institutional knowledge of this place, in ways related to the physical structure, the cultural history, and the pastoral concerns of the membership, sometimes over generations.
Others of us are younger and there is much wisdom that we can offer as well. We bring new ideas, skills, and energy to the congregation. The young and young at heart among us can also teach us how to be joyful in all things, how to be accepting of those who are not like us, and how to take time each day to rest, play, laugh, and trust in God’s love.
The beauty of a faith community is that as we each humbly share with one another the wisdom God has given us, we become more faithful as we hold one another accountable.
How might we offer wisdom and learn from one another at St. John’s? What do we know of our parish about what has worked well here in the past, or about what is needed here that we don’t yet see? As we share our concerns and our dreams with one another, as we work side by side in the many ministries that enliven this parish, a collective wisdom strengthens us. When we love one another even in our imperfections and speak truth to one another, always in love, we become God’s beloved community.
Once upon a time there was a church filled with people. They had hopes and dreams, along with their imperfections. They lived lives marked by joys and sorrows, wisdom and mistakes. They followed Jesus and they did not. They pleased God and they did not. They were thankful for their faith community, even when they could not always do all the things that needed doing. And God loved them with a never-failing love.
Whenever they were there with their siblings in Christ, feasting on the bread of heaven, the very presence of Christ opened their eyes to God’s wisdom; they received solace and strength, pardon and renewal. Abiding in Christ, they went out from this place to share God’s love and wisdom, and the kingdom grew, bringing healing and peace to the world.
For ever and ever. Amen.
With acknowledgment to commentator Debi Thomas for the “Once Upon A Time” stories. http://www.journeywithjesus.net/essays/324-a-king-s-tale
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