“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.”
“Heart” appears (in various forms) 860 times in the Old Testament and can refer to the internal organ that pumps blood throughout the body. However that meaning is rare.
“…in its abstract meanings, “heart” became the richest biblical term for the totality of man's inner or immaterial nature. In biblical literature it is the most frequently used term for man's immaterial personality and functions as well as the most inclusive term for them since, in the Bible, virtually every immaterial function of man is attributed to the “heart.” Very few usages of [“heart”] refer to concrete, physical meanings.” [2]
Apparently Solomon’s “heart” was the totality of his inner nature. It described “virtually every immaterial function” of the man whom we have come to know as the wisest of all men (1st Kings 4.31). Solomon’s emotions, intellect, will, conscience, character, and personality; his 'who-I-am-ness,' were all wrapped up in this concept called “heart.”
Everybody has an inner person, but Solomon was unique. His inner person was really, really BIG. God gave him “largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.”
What is the size of my heart? I assume it’s smaller than Solomon’s, and bigger than some. How do I increase my personal and spiritual capacity? What must I do to become BIG-hearted, to live LARGE? I suspect I tend to live small and limit my own capacity in ways I am not even aware of.
When Jesus places His order at the drive-up window of my life, I hope He decides to SUPER-SIZE me. I want to be a bigger man on the inside. I want Solomon’s “largeness of heart.”
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[1] 1st Kings 4.29 in our English Bibles is 1st Kings 5.9 in the Hebrew scriptures.Chapter 5 in the Hebrew text begins with verse 21 of chapter 4 in the English Old Testament.
[2] Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, copyright © 1980 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
[1] 1st Kings 4.29 in our English Bibles is 1st Kings 5.9 in the Hebrew scriptures.Chapter 5 in the Hebrew text begins with verse 21 of chapter 4 in the English Old Testament.
[2] Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, copyright © 1980 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
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3 comments:
I can completely relate to this. The only way for me to even try to keep my heart super sized is by studying Gods word on a daily basis, when I don't, I can feel the stones covering my heart as it starts to shrink. Pray and study for me are the keys to a super sized heart, now I have to make sure I do it everyday...
Thanks for this post...
Right on JOV. That's exactly my sentiments. I practice PB&J, (the old acronym for peanut butter and jelly!)... Prayer, Bible, and Journaling. This blog is my on-line journal. I placed a link to the reading plan I follow in the left margin.
Thanks for the encouraging comment, my brother.
That is what I started to do also. I mainly write in the blogs to reiterate what I learn as I study Gods words, and sometimes look at how it relates to modern day society.
Thank you again, your brother in Christ!
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