1 Kings 4:25 Fruit!

1 Kings 4:25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree.

We live in a primarily non-agricultural society here in the United States of America. We get our food, not from our own gardens, but in a store. Very few of us actually grow all the food that we eat. We might have a tomato plant or two, and maybe a few herbs, but that is about it.

And until recently, we have had almost no problems getting the food we felt we wanted and needed. There weren’t empty shelves, unlike so many other places in the world today. We click and it gets delivered to our door.

Most ancient cultures consolidated power and wealth at the top, just like today. The wealthy get wealthier and the poor get poorer. But not always.

We read about trickle down economics in our passage. King David and his successor Solomon saw the blessing of the LORD as something to be passed along. They blessed those who worked with them by passing along the wealth. They knew there was enough and more when they allowed the LORD to work.

Our text shows the results of Solomon’s obedience and the blessing of the LORD. The first thing was safety. We have read about all the military battles and campaigns that have been waged against Israel’s sworn enemies, bent on destroying them.

But we have also read about treaties that were signed with those who recognized the blessing of the LORD and wanted to get in on the results of that blessing. They joined in the work of God, and they received the benefits of that blessing.

In addition to safety was agricultural abundance. Grapes and figs are not necessary crops. Energy doesn’t go into cultivating them if people are starving. But when safety is present, and the blessing of the LORD is available, then the ground again brings forth its fruit for His people to enjoy.

And that is what our text records. They had all the needed. They had grapes for wine and figs for feasts. They could celebrate in style. This is a picture of the Garden recaptured in microcosm. This is a glimpse of what we were designed to enjoy as creatures made in His image and likeness.

The next chapter tells about the alliance between Israel and the people of Tyre, an area next to the Mediterranean rich with forests. We read about the contract negotiations and the blessing of Israel that gets passed along to Tyre for their cooperation in making the Temple materials. Israel could have conquered Tyre, but instead a treaty was made which benefitted both parties.

I wonder what would happen in we began to see the abundance we have as, not a limited resource to be horded, but as a sign of the LORD’s blessing that can and should be shared with those around us who also serve the LORD. There are more than enough resources in the world. Unfortunately, those with the most aren’t necessarily seeking His will in their lives.

It would be a very different world if everyone who had enough would shared their extra with those who had need. But our world is not functioning in this manner at this moment in time. Even those who enter politics in order to serve the people end up as millionaires through their insider knowledge and selling their political influence. What a corrupt world we live in!

But one day, righteousness will reign. Relationships will be restored. Harmony will prevail. Justice will be the standard both in theory and in practice. I can’t wait! What about you?