Yesterday, we began discussing the various types of discipline that play a role in our sanctification. One such line of discipline is akin to a Father teaching a Son. Call it Priestly Wisdom. Out of love for his Father and His brothers, Jesus sacrificed Himself on a cross as the Lamb of God. Thus once and for all, He made us blameless and spotless before the Father. Doing so, he qualified us as priests under Himself, mediators of the New Covenant, where Eternal Life and the Glory of God is promised and ministered.
The story of Solomon’s wisdom is very illuminating in this light. Most of us are quite familiar with it. (1 King 3) Solomon asked for God’s wisdom in order to rule His Kingdom with justice and righteousness. God was so pleased that He gave all things to Solomon along with wisdom. The same principle was taught by Jesus: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything will be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33) But before this, Solomon was brought up and trained in the court of the House of God under the guidance of the Levitical priesthood who ministered before the Ark of the Lord. During this time, he was also entrusted with the task to build the Temple for the Lord, which is known as Solomon’s Temple, all of which foreshadow things to come.
The substance or reality is in Christ. (Col 2:17) Solomon mentioned this in Proverbs quite a bit:
Prov 3:1-12 [NIV]
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
12because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the
son he delights in.
This is _Part 2_ in the series Disciplined by the Father and Self-Discipline. To continue with this series, click on Pt 3. To use this as a growth tool to better understand your own calling, you might start by reading the explanation of this series and Pt 1.
Photo credit: big daddy k