Author: Dave Dishman (Page 38 of 390)

Not long ago, while picking out plants for my garden, a fellow shopper started telling me the best way to grow tomatoes. I didn’t ask for her advice, yet she freely shared her copious thoughts. She failed to ask me if I knew anything about tomatoes, just assumed I needed help. Perhaps I gave off that vibe.

I hear a lot of advice from a lot of people. Some asked for, some not, some helpful, some inane. All I can do is choose what to consider and what to ignore (like how to plant tomatoes from a chatterbox).

Solomon laid out the theme of a book filled with wise advice in this way:

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

Solomon’s thoughts are justified and well-founded, with no cause for uncertainty. They come with a life-time warranty. For thousands of years people matched their behavior to his instructions and reaped the benefits.

Free for the taking, Solomon’s advice waits quietly in the pages of my Bible. No one’s chatting it in my ear. It’s up to me to open the book, thumb through the pages, read, consider, and apply. So good, so helpful, and so much better than the unsolicited advice I hear every day from the world around me.

Proverbs 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Courtney Smith

The book of Proverbs advises the reader to seek the types of wisdom and knowledge that come only from the Lord. In a world where conflicting ideas of sound thinking blizzard around us, it pays to give attention to this ancient text:

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Very little advice I hear matches this encouragement to discover understanding found through the Lord. Like opening a locked chest containing unknown treasure, we don’t know what we’ll find, except we can be assured it’s better than silver or gold or rubies.

This week I finished the final reviews for my Doctor of Ministry degree. I submitted the last bit of paperwork and now await a diploma in the mail. It took two and a half years to complete the program, and cost me a chunk of time and money and attention. As part of my work I produced a tool for helping professors better tell their story of faith. You can check it out here.

Through this process of study and research I learned a great deal about academics and story-telling. The intellectual knowledge is helpful, but insights into the needs of others proved invaluable. I gained a greater depth of understanding, which is more precious than rubies, or even a diploma to hang on my wall.

Proverbs 3 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Ashin K Suresh

All through his reign, David collected massive amounts of materials for the construction of a palatial structure dedicated to the Lord. David understood that he would never see this temple, but he laid the plans for his son to accomplish the work.

David asked the people of Israel to join him in giving. They responded enthusiastically, and literally gave tons of gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones. They gave freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.

Celebrating this abundance in front of the crowd, David spoke to the Lord—But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

David’s prayer acknowledged the fact that every precious item the Israelites offered came into their possession through the goodness of God. They simply handed it back.

Indeed, every good thing I hold originates from the hand of the Lord. Yesterday was our anniversary—my wife and I married 38 years ago. My wife is definitely a gift from the hand of God. Our marriage, children, grandchild, families, friends, house, bank accounts, vehicles, and the coffee in my cup all spring from the Lord.

Following David’s example I also pray, Now, my God, I give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Cherry Laithang

Two desperate women, prostitutes actually, gave birth at the same time. Sadly, one of the babies died. The grieving mother stole the living baby from her housemate in the night and claimed him for her own. The real mother quickly discovered the ruse and desperately fought to get her baby back. News of this intractable dispute reached the palace, and curious court officials ushered the women before King Solomon. How would this freshly crowned monarch solve the case?

As he began his reign, Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom: Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? A few days later these two ladies walked through the door.

We all know the story. Taking a sword, Solomon threatened to cut the living child in half. The false mother sneered, but the true mother plead with the king, willing even to lose her baby so the child might live. Solomon, of course, ruled in favor of the true mother and launched his reputation for wisdom.

In the aftermath of this drama, I wonder what happened to the boy? How did he grow up? Being an infant at the time he wouldn’t remember this situation, but he later would have heard stories. Or did he even live to adulthood?

I like to think the boy came of age and served King Solomon. Perhaps in the army, or as a laborer on the magnificent temple Solomon built. Simply my imagination as no stories exist about the child beyond this one incident, but I wouldn’t put it past the Lord to bring such a sparkling story full circle.

1 Kings 3 in Through the Bible in 2024

The Judgement of Solomon by Gaspar de Crayer, c. 1620