Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: JOURNEY (01/13/22)
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TITLE: Legacy of King Solomon | Previous Challenge Entry
By Shanta Richard
01/20/22 -
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and God had blessed him with wisdom and prosperity. During his reign his kingdom
had enjoyed peace and plenty. Besides being a wise and righteous ruler, he was also
a great architect. Following God's plan he had built the most magnificent temple for
worshipping God. He was also a gifted writer. It is said that he wrote many songs and
books, but only three are recorded in the Bible. These books have inspired and
blessed me so much that I wish to share my experience.
The first book was written, I think, when Solomon was a young prince. On one of
his hunting expeditions he meets a young shepherdess and falls in love with her. And
the Song of Solomon is born. It is a story of true love. Solomon was a rich prince, she
was a poor shepherdess, he was fair and handsome, she was plain and dark. Yet
their's was a pure and beautiful love. It reminds me of my Savior's love for me.
The second book must have been written when King Solomon was a mature and
wise King, ruler of a vast empire. It is a book of wisdom and advice of a father to his
son. God had blessed Solomon with great wisdom and he was passing it on to his
son and to the next generation.
It is evident that the third book was written when King Solomon was in his golden
years. I picture him sitting by his window gazing out at the evening sky. He sees the
ruby red dazzling sun, holding court over a gorgeous golden sky. He also sees dusk
approaching slowly with her arms wide open in welcome, eager to embrace them into
her darkness. The air is lovely and peaceful yet gloomy and dismal. And that is what
this book, the Ecclesiastes, is all about. I love the way Eugene Peterson portrays
the final verses of this book, in his version of the Bible, The Message :
"Honor and enjoy your Creator while you are still young,
Before the years take their toll. and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
In old age, your body no longer serves you so well,
Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joint stiffen,
The shades are pulled down on the world,
You can't come and go at will. Things grind to a halt.
The hum of the household fades away.
You are wakened now by bird song.
Hikes to the mountain are a thing of the past.
Even a stroll down the road has its terrors.
Your hair turns apple- blossom whilte,
Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body.
Yes you are well on your way to eternal rest,
When your friends make plans for your funeral.
Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over.
Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
The body is put back in the same ground it came from.
The spirit returns to God , who first breathed it."
It is such a vivid and truthful picture of old age. But Solomon, in his wisdom, puts
a silver lining on that dark cloud with his concluding words, " the spirit (it
does not decay or die but )returns to God." What a glorious hope!
And King Solomon has one more piece of advice, " Fear God. Do what He says".
Thus ends King Solomon's journal on his journey through life. He has passed
down his legacy of wisdom to his son and to the next generation. And so I wonder
about my own life's journey, my experiences and the wisdom I have gained, the
blessings God has showered upon me, my legacy. Have I passed it on to my
children?
Scripture reference. : Ecclesiastes Chapter 12 - The Message.
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Could I suggest you refer to segments of the Message rather than lift such large parts of it, so it can be seen as more of your own work.