More than wisdom
Today's scripture is 1 Kings 4:29-34:
If you ever doubted that Solomon was given a lot of wisdom from God, these verses put it to rest: Solomon was wiser than He-Man, who had the power of Castle Greyskull to back him up! :) (Sorry, couldn't resist the 80s reference.) Solomon did have more wisdom than anyone before or since, so it would logically follow that he made fewer mistakes, right? Well, to continue the 80s cartoon references a step further: knowing is (only) half the battle. All of the wisdom that can fit in a human brain is no good if you don't obey God.
Solomon's attachment to wealth, power, and various excesses, began Israel's decline. How could that come from the smartest man ever to live? Being smart is not enough. Knowing the right thing to do is not the same thing as doing the right thing. We're not on earth to pass an ethics exam. We're here to do God's will and enjoy his creation as an act of worship. Solomon got caught up in the enjoying part and missed the obeying part.
Look over Solomon's qualifications for his position as king. For that matter, look over Judas and King Saul's qualifications too. These men were almost overqualified for the roles they were put in, and yet they failed. Anything we can hold on our own is not enough to do a good job in life. We need that extra factor that comes from God. We need God's wisdom, and the good sense to act on it. Are you doing what you know you're supposed to be doing, or do you just think about it while doing what pleases you with the blessing God gave you? Do what you're supposed to, and you'll be smarter than the smartest man alive.
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
If you ever doubted that Solomon was given a lot of wisdom from God, these verses put it to rest: Solomon was wiser than He-Man, who had the power of Castle Greyskull to back him up! :) (Sorry, couldn't resist the 80s reference.) Solomon did have more wisdom than anyone before or since, so it would logically follow that he made fewer mistakes, right? Well, to continue the 80s cartoon references a step further: knowing is (only) half the battle. All of the wisdom that can fit in a human brain is no good if you don't obey God.
Solomon's attachment to wealth, power, and various excesses, began Israel's decline. How could that come from the smartest man ever to live? Being smart is not enough. Knowing the right thing to do is not the same thing as doing the right thing. We're not on earth to pass an ethics exam. We're here to do God's will and enjoy his creation as an act of worship. Solomon got caught up in the enjoying part and missed the obeying part.
Look over Solomon's qualifications for his position as king. For that matter, look over Judas and King Saul's qualifications too. These men were almost overqualified for the roles they were put in, and yet they failed. Anything we can hold on our own is not enough to do a good job in life. We need that extra factor that comes from God. We need God's wisdom, and the good sense to act on it. Are you doing what you know you're supposed to be doing, or do you just think about it while doing what pleases you with the blessing God gave you? Do what you're supposed to, and you'll be smarter than the smartest man alive.
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