In the Old Testament, Gods name Jehovah (JHWH) was so revered that His actual name was not even to be spoken or used. Years later when the sacred scriptures were copied, if a scribe made a mistake, he had to tear up the entire copy of the manuscript and he had to start over.
So revered were the scriptures that incredible care was taken to make absolutely precise copies. When I visited the Qumran in 2018 with Gene Little, I was amazed to see several places hewn out of limestone where the Essenes, the scribes bathed numerous times before they copied the sacred scriptures. All this was a result of the tremendous fear and respect for the Lord and for the scriptures. Qumran was the place where the “Dead-Sea Scrolls” were found in a cave in 1947.
I believe in my heart that the next Spiritual awakening of Holy Spirit must be around the “fear of the Lord”. This is the only thing that will restore righteousness and proper alignment in the church. We have strayed so far away from it the much of the church does not fully represent the church that God desires, The scriptures say in Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Now this verse is written by King Solomon, perhaps the greatest King the unified Kingdom of Israel ever had. If you remember, Solomon was made King by his father David just before his death (1 Kings 1:28-53). Though his age was uncertain, scholars believe Solomon was only 19-20 years of age. God came to Solomon in a dream and asked Solomon what he desired. He could have asked for anything but he asked God for wisdom. 1 Kings 3:7-9
7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
His answer pleased the Lord so much that God did indeed give him world renown wisdom. However, as time would tell, gaining great wisdom brought with it great temptation. The book of Ecclesiastes is the testimony of Solomon’s life. Another good title would’ve been “King Gone Wild”! This is Solomon’s story in the second chapter.
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
King Solomon started out well but got lost somewhere in the middle. He built the Temple his father has been forbidden to build that lasted at least 4 centuries that was eventually destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Yet, Solomon had forgotten the instruction of the Word of God to Kings from Deuteronomy 17. He would’ve done well to remember the Lord’s instruction. The following is from the Bible Hub
“The most comprehensive set of prohibitions for the king is found in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. This passage outlines the expectations and limitations placed upon a king chosen by God to rule over Israel. The text begins by acknowledging the people's desire for a king, similar to other nations, but emphasizes that the king must be appointed by God: "You are to appoint over yourselves the king the LORD your God will choose" (Deuteronomy 17:15).
1. Prohibition Against Multiplying Horses: The king is instructed not to acquire a great number of horses, particularly from Egypt, as this would lead the people back to a reliance on military might and foreign alliances rather than on God. "He must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses" (Deuteronomy 17:16).
2. Prohibition Against Many Wives: The king is also forbidden from taking many wives, a practice that could lead his heart astray from God. This prohibition is a safeguard against the influence of foreign religions and the potential for idolatry. "He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray" (Deuteronomy 17:17).
We know that Solomon had a haram of 700 concubines and also had 300 wives. They in fact turned his heart away from serving Jehovah.
3. Prohibition Against Excessive Wealth: Accumulating excessive silver and gold is another restriction placed on the king. This is to prevent the king from becoming prideful and self-reliant, forgetting his dependence on God. "Nor shall he accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold" (Deuteronomy 17:17).
4. Requirement to Write and Read the Law: The king is required to write for himself a copy of the law, which he must read all the days of his life. This practice is intended to keep the king humble and obedient to God's commandments, ensuring that he rules with justice and righteousness. "It is to remain with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God" (Deuteronomy 17:19).”
Sex, money and power. The big three has also taken many ministers down in today’s church as well. But, we are also seeing God clean up His beloved bride in these days. He must! His own holiness and righteousness demands it.
The bottom line is as follows; just knowing and experiencing tons of stuff does not bring wisdom. Wisdom come from learning from mistakes and learning to fear and revere the Word of God. So when did Solomon become wise? I think it came at the end of his life after Solomon had sown all his wild oats, so to speak. I’ve said numerous times, wisdom is defined as “I ain’t gonna do that again”!! Solomon said as much at the end of his testimony in the as said Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Jesus said it best in Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The Apostle Paul understood the fear of the Lord as he stated in 2 Cor 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
To Paul, the fear of the Lord drove him to obedience. It must do the same for you and I. Without puirty, none of us will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Let us therfore, ask the Lord to instill a fresh fear of the Lord in each one of us. Like Solomon, it will bring us into proper alignment with our Lord and cause us to walk in perfect obedience to His bidding. Let us also pray for a fresh attitude of the “fear of the Lord” to come into the church. So that we burn with a holy fire and passion.