And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. —
1 Kings 3:28
Arguably, the most famous judgement in history was given in the matter of one living child with two mothers. Each one made a compelling case about legitimacy. In the absence of any scientific means, Solomon used unusual wisdom to determine the real mother. When he offered to divide the child between the feuding mothers one viciously agreed while the other yielded out of compassion. Proverbs 14:1 says, “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” This is instructive. It confirms that wisdom saves but foolishness squanders. It is foolishness to build your life, ministry, marriage, reputation and turn round to destroy it.1 Kings 3:28
The Foolish Mother’s Outlook
Reckless.
Slept on her baby. Suffocated and killed her child.
Deceitful.
Exchanged her dead baby for another. Deceitful people destroy theirs and turn round to steal other people’s.
Secretive.
She acted (made the swap) in the middle of the night.
Destructive Logic.
If I can’t have it, let it be destroyed. I want it even if it will not benefit me.
The Wise Mother’s Outlook
Responsible.
Slept beside her baby. Had a keen sense of awareness.
Diligent.
Rose up at dawn to feed her child. Examined her baby.
Sincere.
Acted in the morning. Operated in transparency.
Preserver’s Logic.
I can’t have it but I still want it to live. That was the approach of Moses’ mother. I sacrifice my right as a mother in order to preserve what I love.
Prayer:
Lord, grant me the wisdom to preserve rather than destroy.Scripture Reading:
1 Kings 3:16-28
YearOfExcellence
