Wisdom?

Image from Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon under Creative Commons license Website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/4thglryofgod/8784955343

January 22, 2023

This week we read 2 books written by king Solomon; Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs. Even though this week’s focus will be on Ecclesiastes, I recommend reading the Song of Songs. This is a beautiful love story between a man and his wife.

When Solomon became king, the Lord asked him what he wanted. He said “wisdom.” Because Solomon did not ask for money, or anything else, the Lord blessed him greatly with not only wisdom, but also wealth. King Solomon was the wealthiest of kings in his day. Unfortunately, the king did not follow God’s commands, even though he was wise. Remember, knowing and doing are very different.

In Deuteronomy 17, God gives rules for kings. He says in 17:16-17 says, “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself…He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.”

Solomon did not follow any of these commands above. He had many horses, 700 wives, 300 concubines, and accumulated much silver and gold. He was led astray with the many gods his wives worshipped, because he started worshipping them as well.

This is the background of Solomon when he is writing Ecclesiastes. Chapter 1, verse 1 says, “Meaningless! Meaningless…Everything is meaningless!”

Solomon has lived a life of abundance and has looked into different worldly philosophies. He names the things that most people seek to feel fulfilled: money, things, people, sex, and wisdom. He found that we all live and die and without God and all of the above were meaningless, empty. He was the one to know. He had it all and found them unfulfilling.

Chapter 12:13-14 is a result of how Solomon feels after having it all, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

To fear God is to respect and worship Him. With that respect we then keep his commandments. For the Christian, we are to fear God, and worship Christ. It is through Christ that we are able to keep God’s commandments.

What did you learn from Solomon?

I learned that we only truly get meaning and fulfillment when we respect worship and believe in the Lord and this is what we should seek first. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Next week we will read Jeremiah 1-20. Have a blessed week and please let me know if you need prayer.