It’s not a manual for making ministers. Its true value is in the vision that’s laid out in these two letters. It’s God’s instructions for building a strong future of faith and provides the necessary steps that need to be taken if we are to pass the torch to the next generation.
Dale Pollard
It’s a shame that the letters to Timothy got stereotyped into a users manual for young ministers.
Most summaries of the letters say something along these lines:
“First Timothy presents the most explicit and complete instructions for church leadership and organization in the entire Bible. This includes sections on appropriate conduct in worship gatherings, the qualifications of elders and deacons, and the proper order of church discipline. Paul advised Timothy on these practical matters in a way that would have helped the young pastor to emphasize education and sound teaching of leaders and members.”
But there’s more to it.
It’s not a manual for making ministers. Its true value is in the vision that’s laid out in these two letters. It’s God’s instructions for building a strong future of faith and provides the necessary steps that need to be taken if we are to pass the torch to the next generation.
It’s about instilling faithfulness in the young, and it’s about mentoring— mentors (2 Tim. 2:2).
Paul encouraged Timothy to “fight the good fight” (1:18; 6:12). Perseverance in what was good often became a slog for Timothy, one that required thick skin and a clear purpose. The short and sweet of Timothy could be something like this.
Wisdom, Governance, and the Search for Fulfillment
Brent Pollard
What events so enraged the majority of Israel’s tribes that they chose to secede from the Davidic monarchy? In 1 Kings 12, Jeroboam and a group of Israelites confronted the recently anointed monarch.
“Your father made our yoke hard; but now, lighten the hard labor imposed by your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1 Kings 12.4 NASB)
I read this passage for a long time without fully comprehending its significance. Solomon used corvée (kor-VAY) labor to build extravagant structures. Many of these people chosen to work were foreigners discovered during David’s disastrous census (2 Chronicles 2.17). Solomon is portrayed more favorably in the Book of Chronicles than in the Book of Kings. However, in 1 Kings 5.13, Solomon “conscripted forced laborers from all Israel” (NASB, emphasis mine).
Is there a modern equivalent of corvée labor? Military service is mandatory in some modern nations. Some countries that do this include Israel, South Korea, and Switzerland. However, the focus of corvée labor is on infrastructure projects. It would be a more fitting analogy if the Civilian Conservation Corps of the New Deal had mandated rather than recruited young men. I live in an area with state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Photographs document their hard work cutting trees and building park facilities.
As a result, the populace informed Rehoboam that they did not appreciate the yoke his father had imposed upon them. Rehoboam told the people he would respond to their complaint in three days (1 Kings 12.5). Within those three days, Rehoboam consulted his older advisors. They told Rehoboam to lift the burdens placed on the people by his father. Rehoboam also consulted his young advisors. Their advice was different.
“And the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, ‘This is what you should say to this people who spoke to you, saying: ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ You should speak this way to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Now then, my father loaded you with a heavy yoke; yet I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!’” (1 Kings 12.10-11 NASB)
To the ruin of the united monarchy of Israel, Rehoboam went to his peers’ advice. Of course, given the sins of Solomon in going after the gods of his many wives (see 1 Kings 11.4–8), we know that this was the determination of God to tear away the kingdom from him and give it to his servant, Jeroboam (1 Kings 11.11–13). 1 Kings 12.15 clearly states that Rehoboam did not listen to the people “because it was a turn of events from the Lord, in order to establish His word which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” (NASB)
On the one hand, it is hard to feel sympathy for the Israelites. God had warned them that such a scenario was possible when they clamored for a king. Note 1 Samuel 8.10ff:
“So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to gather in his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers…He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work…Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.” (NASB)
Despite hearing this, the people said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8.19-20). God told Samuel to let the people have what they wanted.
On the other hand, we have to wonder how the wisest man, other than the Son of Man, who ever lived, could so choose to burden his people as to make them grumble and complain. After all, Solomon imparted some wisdom about rulers to his son in Proverbs. For example, in Proverbs 28.16, Solomon says, “A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.” (NASB) It is a paradox that someone can be both wise and demonstrate a lack of understanding. Yet, this describes Solomon well.
The greatest tragedy is how Solomon felt after considering everything he achieved using corvée labor. Note Ecclesiastes 2.4-6 and 11:
I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. (NASB)
So I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold, all was futility and striving after wind, and there was no benefit under the sun. (NASB)
Thus, he built things thinking it would bring him a sense of satisfaction, only to realize that after he was gone, everything he had made would fall into the hands of another (see Ecclesiastes 2.18). The reality made him realize that this, too, was vanity. Solomon proves that having wisdom on a personal level doesn’t always translate seamlessly to governance. Making decisions impacting an entire nation can vastly differ from making personal decisions or offering advice to individuals.
The story of Solomon and the division of the kingdom that followed is a timeless cautionary tale about the difficulties of leadership, the perils of absolute power, and the universal human yearning for meaning and purpose. We may find it hard to relate to the specifics of Solomon’s rule and the events leading to Israel’s division, but the underlying themes remain relevant to our time. No matter how experienced or knowledgeable they are, leaders can still make mistakes. Pursuing one’s ambition can frequently result in undesirable outcomes without moderation and self-reflection.
This story serves as a reminder for those in authoritative roles to listen to sound advice and stay in touch with the wants and feelings of the people they govern. For everyone else, it highlights the futility of placing one’s hope for happiness in material things and the fleeting nature of life itself. It’s a sobering reminder that pursuing lasting happiness should take priority over acquiring worldly power and prestige.
Proverbs 1:15-19 says, “my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.”
Verse 15 is a direct tie to the invitation to participate in sin found in verse 11. Sin must be rejected at the first temptation, by refusing even the association that can lead to sin. Avoid the beginnings of sin. Reject the offer to even associate with those who are in sin. Even if we aren’t participating in the deeds of the wicked, there is still guilt by association. Growing up my brothers would convince me to come along with them in breaking a rule, even though I was a perfect and innocent child, I would still get in trouble with mom and dad because I was with them…well maybe I wasn’t all that perfect. But by choosing to hang with the wrong crowd, we risk facing the consequence of hurting our reputation. If our friends invite us to spend the evening at a bar, we can hurt our influence as Christians even if we never have a drink. If we hang with the troublemakers we will be seen as a troublemaker. There are consequences tied to the decisions we make.
Verse 16 is a warning not to keep evil company. To be careful in the friends we choose. There is guilt by association. You may not be guilty of their sins; but if you are caught with them, you will pay the terrible penalty with them. Sometimes peer pressure causes us to hang with a group of friends that are in sin. But we rationalize it by convincing ourselves that we are strong enough to say no. We may even associate with them with good intention; but the longer we stay, the more deeply involved we become. The only way to avoid this is to do what Scripture advises. Don’t go with them in the first place. The time to say “no” is before we get in too deep.
Verse 17 is another illustration. “As a bird flies into a net and is caught, so will the sinner get caught if he goes head long into sin.” The thing is, many times we know the net is there, but we fly towards it anyway. We know there are consequences to sin, but we do it anyway. Scripture paints a vivid picture of the consequences we will face if we allow our lives to be filled with sin. John 8:34 Jesus tells us, “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” Practicing sin leads to the consequence of slavery. This is a vivid analogy showing us that by choosing to sin we are enslaved to it. Sin can and will control every aspect of our lives.
Isaiah 59:2 reveals, “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Another consequence of sin is separation from God the Father.
Our actions will determine whether God will listen to us or not. It’s obvious that we will never inherit eternal life if we let sin continue to separate us from God. Romans 6:23 shows us the worst consequence of sin, “The wages of sin is death.” Our physical deaths will only be the beginning of an eternity in torment. The payment of sin is spiritual death.
Solomon warns us of the importance of choosing the right company. He tells us that we have a choice. We can choose righteous company that will help us reach our reward, or we can choose the sinful company. But by doing so, we are accepting sin’s invitation and therefore must face the consequences.
A woman is again the embodiment of Wisdom in Proverbs 8. And we find language similar to what we saw earlier in Proverbs 1.20-23: Wisdom desires to be heard by men (8.3-4). Not unlike other women, Wisdom craves attention and acknowledgment. However, Wisdom isn’t shy about raising her voice to get people’s attention.
In contrast to the harlot in the previous chapter (Folly?), Wisdom does not play coy. Instead, she chooses to be in the spotlight. As a result, she is the center of attention. She perches herself on the rise overlooking the gateway to the city below (8.3). Wisdom does not want to be heard by a select few; she wants to be heard by everyone, whether the sons of men (8.4) or the fools (8.5). She hopes to impart wisdom to anyone open to hearing it.
Wisdom gives us praiseworthy and righteous counsel (8.6), words of truth and righteousness (8.7-8), and a straightforward and virtuous way of thinking (8.9). The benefits of wisdom are priceless, far exceeding the value of any material possession (8.10-11).
Thus, Wisdom implores everyone to listen so that she may impart her excellent knowledge. But even if that weren’t impressive enough, verse 12 shows that she is wise, knowledgeable, and has good judgment. Consequently, Wisdom hates conceit, lust, and evil because she respects God (8.13). That’s why she’s a reliable source of guidance, wisdom, and resolve (8.14).
Wisdom delights in providing these things to everyone, including those to whom God has given earthly authority. Wisdom will bestow riches, honor, righteousness, justice, and wealth on those who love her (8.15-16). She makes it possible for kings, princes, nobles, and judges to rule justly (8.17-21).
Wisdom testifies that she was God’s companion even before He made the world. Therefore, she existed before the cosmos (8.22). So, according to Solomon, Wisdom is eternal (8.23). Indeed, Wisdom is “older than dirt” (8.26), existing before the oceans, mountains, and hills (8.24). So, Wisdom was present to see the Lord at work, creating the universe. Wisdom saw God create the heavens and the world (27-29) and stood beside Him as a master craftsman, rejoicing in His creation (8.30-31).
Those who are open to Wisdom’s advice will prosper (8.32). Therefore, instead of disregarding her message, we should listen to her advice and act wisely (8.33). Those listening to her with care will be blessed (8.34a). They’ll sometimes have to wait for her (8.34b), but she’ll bring those who are patient new life and the Lord’s favor in return (8.35). However, those whose sins bring dishonor to her suffer spiritual damage (8.36a).
Those hating Wisdom demonstrate a desire to die (8.36b). This mindset means that people who like death will get what they want. Thus, wisdom implores us to listen to her so that she may impart wisdom, knowledge, truth, and righteousness; and endow our lives with wealth and glory, especially as the Lord bestows.
To quote Wisdom:
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8.34-35 NASB1995)
I remember it like it was yesterday, I was standing in my brothers’ room while they were trying to convince me that I had swallowed a marble. After enough talking, they finally convinced my 3-year-old self that I had swallowed a marble. A couple of hours later we left the ER after being told by the doctor that there, in fact, was no marble in me. What on earth happened? Well, I’ll tell you what happened. I listened to my brothers and their prank went a little farther than they thought it would.
This reminds me of an account that is recorded in 1 Kings chapter 12, where Rehoboam listens to some unwise advice from his brothers. The people come to him asking their new king to lower the taxes his father Solomon had placed on them. So Rehoboam reaches out to those who served with Solomon, and they tell him to lower the taxes; but Rehoboam didn’t like this answer. In fact, he wasn’t looking for that answer. So he goes to his friends, the guys he grew up with, and this is what they say, “‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions’”(1 Kings 12:10-11). Rehoboam takes the advice of his younger council, and because of this the kingdom of Israel split.
When it comes to who we take advice from, it is always best to come at it with all biases aside. Rehoboam was talked into doing something that split the kingdom. The next time we have a decision to make, we must not make the mistake Rehoboam made or what I did in listening to my brothers. Let’s be wise and make our decision after praying with a heart which honestly seeks God’s will.
Someone wants to be involved in an illicit relationship, defend an unscriptural marriage (or enter into one), engage in some vice or sinful behavior “in moderation” (or otherwise), and they talk to someone who shows them from scripture why it should not be done. Perhaps they ask several people and get the same discouragement. Sometimes, the inquirer is wise enough to let that guide them away from wrongdoing. Other times, they persist in looking for someone to tell them what they want to hear. Without exception, such a searcher will eventually—and probably sooner than later—find someone to validate and endorse their desire.
Solomon wrote, “The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful” (Prov. 12:5). His father kicked off the songbook of Israel by saying, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…” (Psa. 1:1a). Job speaks of how he shunned “the counsel of the wicked” (Job 21:16; 22:18). Wicked Ahaziah was rejected by God, in part, “for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly” (2 Chr. 22:3). This characteristic of human nature, whether giving or taking wicked counsel, is timeless. But, seeking counsel from the proper sources is encouraged by Scripture (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). How can we make sure that we are hearing what we need to hear, not just what we want to hear?
We must realize our personal accountability (2 Cor. 5:10). No matter what anyone else tells us, we’ll stand individually in the Judgment. Christ’s word, as Judge, is the only one that ultimately matters. What has He said?
We must pray for wisdom and discernment (Col. 1:9). Are we ignoring a pricked conscience, clear teaching, or red flags? Is self in control, or is the Savior’s will?
We must grow in knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18). Have we studied this out yet? Are we convinced beyond a doubt? What does the Lord say?
We must be honest with ourselves (Psa. 15:2). We cannot deal fairly in any situation if we’re deceiving ourselves. Lying to ourselves does not change God’s truth. It simply hurts us.
We must train our hearts to desire what is good (cf. 2 Pet. 2:14). This can be excruciatingly hard! Proverbs 21:10 says, “The soul of the wicked desires evil.” But listen to a cleansed heart: “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom” (Psa. 51:6).
We must put emphasis on the eternal rather than the temporary (2 Cor. 4:16ff). Is what we wish to pursue destructive to heavenly objectives? Are we risking an eternity in heaven for a few years of fleeting pleasure on earth? Nothing is worth sacrificing salvation!
We must weigh the advice of our counselors on the scales of truth (Prov. 18:17). The Berean Christians fact-checked an inspired apostle (Acts 17:6). We owe it to ourselves to compare what our advisers tell us—however much we love and respect them—with what God’s Word says. Many times they will align. If they do not, we must choose God’s Word every time!
Beware! At times, what we want to hear is right and good. Many times, it is not. As we lean on others, let us lean most heavily on “the rock” (Mat. 7:24)!
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