“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (1Ch 28:9 AV)
There are two ways we can look at the phrase above. We can look at is punitive. That is, we can see it as God’s way of examining what is wrong in the heart and mind so that He might correct it through chastening. This is certainly valid. The Bible repeatedly states God’s eyes walk to and fro throughout the whole world to try the hearts of men. However, there is another way in which we can look at this. We can see it as a ministry of the LORD on our hearts and minds. We can see it as an opportunity to entertain constructive criticism that would benefit the way in which we love God. We can see the examining ministry of the Holy Spirit in one of two ways. The first may be necessary and initially unwelcome. Afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. But we can also consider this ministry as an extension of God’s love toward us in that we can be proactive, correcting and growing in ways we wouldn’t otherwise grow. When I read this passage this morning, I didn’t take it as though God was standing there with a paddle, warning Solomon that the only relationship they share is as a parent lording over his child with only correction as the foundation. Rather, I see this statement as a tender one. A statement of encouragement.
When I think of this application, I think of a father and son working on a project in which he is an expert and the son is learning. Perhaps they are building a car together. They buy the chassis and begin to shop for parts. They begin by reinforcing the chassis. They rid the chassis of all rust and weld the joints to a stronger condition in which they found it. Every step of the way, dad inspects the work. He acknowledges the good work which his son did. But he also points out areas that could use a bit more effort. They move on to the mechanics. First, they work on the undercarriage. It would be easier than dropping in the engine and transmission first. This way, they don’t have to work around it. Again, each step of the way, dad makes a big deal out of those things that were done perfectly and goes over those that are not up to standard. The brake lines are installed. Electronic carriages are put in place. The cables are strung. The pedals are connected to the undercarriage. Often the interior is installed at this point. Lastly, come the transmission and engine. This often takes the greatest work of all components. Especially if the engine or transmission is being built from the ground up. Special tools are used. Measurements are taken and checked several times. Dad wants to make sure his boy does everything perfectly. This examination is not for correction from deliberate error. Rather, it is meant to help his son learn facts and skills that will make him a better man.
God’s examining eyes can be both. They can be punitive. But they don’t always have to be. Like a father looking over the shoulder of his son to help him learn, the ministry of examination is made available to us as well. The psalmist says, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” (Ps 26:2 AV) We want the LORD to examine us so that sin might be vanquished from our hearts. Obviously. But it was like my time in the Boy Scouts. We learned to tie many different knots. When we thought we had it right, we would ask my father, who was the Scout Master, to examine our work. We wanted encouragement when we succeeded. But we also wanted to know if we had done it right. It takes a great deal of maturity to seek God’s examining eye. One becomes vulnerable in the process. Yet, this experience is an awesome one. When the LORD looks over our shoulders and offers to show us the right way, we need not take offense. It is meant in love and should be received as such. I for one am grateful for a Father who loves me enough not to allow me to stay what I am. Praise be to God.
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