The iDisciples, a devotional material, stated in one of its series, Leading Like Jesus, “Leaders may see compassion as an inconvenient necessity, but for Jesus, compassion was embedded in His character.” Due to the truth that we are all created according to the image of God, there is an innate leadership character in us, but until this consciousness is attained as human, there might not be a sense of responsibility, which reduces the level of impact required to be made. “ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26). That was the master plan of God for man, but there are parameters that could be used to measure whether you and I are really portraying these leadership and dominion related traits, hidden in us by the creator of heaven and earth or not.
In the New Testament of the bible, it was just a confirmation of the above argument. God came to the earth as Jesus, in human form, and actually displayed that leaders have responsibility to be compassionate, especially towards their subjects, including everybody around them. During the Jesus’ ministry, He was known for his compassion. He personally modelled it and also made it mandatory for all mankind, especially to Christians, God and everybody around you. This love transcends just being able to serve them cups of tea when they come visiting, but seeing into their pains, aspirations and how you could be of great assistance, letting loose the compassion traits, which has been built into you by God, the Almighty creator. (Luke 10:27) “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
King Solomon’s Dedication of the Temple – People Oriented
“A leader never stops being a follower of Jesus.” Alan Hirsch
In my past series on the Wisdom of King Solomon, a few perspectives have been touched on. Considering the above analysis of the innate human qualities, not just Solomon, we all are beings, with innate elements to lead. These inbuilt cards in us, in form of characters, could only be activated with a deep sense of individual consciousness that we are all designed to lead. Compassion for fellow men is one of the innate characters needed by every being to begin to operate in the realm of leadership. I mentioned in the second series that King Solomon’s wise asking at the initial stage was orchestrated by the passion he had for the Israelites, the heritage of God. He had a very deep thought; and needed supernatural wisdom and a heart of understanding to govern Israel, the great people of God. (1 Kings 3:8-9) “And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”
However, I personally see the attitude of seeking the best in others, a great virtue in the life of King Solomon. Bishop TD Jakes mentioned in one of his speeches “Wherever you put your focus in – that’s where you’ll be successful.” I believe God also saw that King Solomon, expressing this kind of deep interest in His chosen people, prioritising the interest of other, God quickly made up His mind to bless him, and Solomon became an international mega-celebrity, the wisest man on earth.
The height of this was displayed during the dedication of the temple, which King Solomon built for the Lord. After he had directed the priests and the Levites in making burnt offerings to God, he prayed and dedicated the temple the Lord. In 1 Kings 8:15, he started by adoring the God of Israel who made it possible to build a temple unto Him. “And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it…” From that point, as he went on the dedication proper, Solomon continued to pray and almost all the prayers were centred on the people of Israel, their present and future deliverances. All the blessing were said towards this chosen people of God and hardly did King Solomon pray for himself or his reign as king. The prayers were people oriented, as he focused attention on people praying; (1 Kings 8:31) “If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked…” To King Solomon, life was about justice and fairness amongst his people and he stood for justice and fairness all through his era, as king in Israel.
Due to his compassionate attribute, he guarded against enemy’s invasion on the people of God, even when they erred. He then offered prayers to God for safety of Israelites and God granted him secured boarders, hence, King Solomon did not fight a war throughout his reign, unlike David his father who fought all through his lifetime, even as a king. “When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee,…forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.” (1 Kings 8:33-34).
Another passion of Solomon was that the people of God would not lack and suffer at any point in time. As he continued in his people-oriented temple dedication, he prayed; “When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin,…give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.”
Time to Activate the Innate Leadership Gene in you
According to the creation story, it is no longer a secret that you are made to lead. In Genesis 1:26, it was established “…let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth…” So whether you agree or not, there is a seed of leadership in you. Your perspective might be the one of a follower, but you have a seed of greatness in you. Until you begin to consider the way you put to use, these innate traits that were built in you, you might still be on the wrong side of the fence, living an unfulfilled life. Solomon became very successful and prosperous as a king in Israel due to the blessings God gave him, and the blessings came from God as a result of his passion to get things right, ruling the people of God and the compassion he exhibits, placing everyone around him at the centre of all his requests (Prayers). I therefore charge you today, to begin to think over this in a bid to remain at the centre of God’s will, living your life according to how the creator has designed it.
