Don Porter God's Church of Sucker Creek

The wisdom of Solomon

Solomon was a King of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 we are told that when God came to him in a dream and promised to give him whatever he asked for that Solomon asked for wisdom. God was so pleased Solomon knew that wisdom can only come from God that He gave him personal wealth and honor as well. Solomon became the wisest man in the world. He studied, taught, judged his people and he wrote. Kings and leaders from other nations came to learn from him. One of the books that Solomon wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was the book of Proverbs which contains practical insights and guidelines for life such as guidelines for raising children and youth, discipline, family-life, self-control, marriage, business matters and much more. It is perhaps the greatest self-help book ever published. It is a collection of wise statements, common sense and timely warnings. It is recommended that everyone should read this book, found in the Bible, many times and apply these truths to our lives. Knowledge is good, but there is a vast difference between knowledge, which is having all the facts, and wisdom, which is applying the facts to life. We can amass knowledge from schools, books, the internet and television, but without wisdom the knowledge is useless. We must learn to live out what we learn. That is why wisdom can only come from God who provides us, through His Word, the guidelines for living our life. Solomon, who had it all -- tremendous intellect, power and wealth, did not heed his own advice. As he progressed through life he failed to follow all of the commands of God. As a result, his life began to spiral downwards. Solomon fell into the trap that so many of us do. We try to live our lives following whatever brings us pleasure or following after what society tells us will bring us happiness. We pursue knowledge with a great passion but forget to apply it to our own lives. Solomon found out that if we do not follow the wisdom of God, then life is as hollow as a molded Easter Egg. Solomon found out that pursing pleasure may seem pleasing for a time but ultimately it leads to destruction. That is why Solomon's second book, Ecclesiastes, is filled with words like empty, hollow and futile, that show his disappointment and disillusionment. Our society is addicted to pleasure and power, but these can quickly vanish. Then, ultimately they find that life is empty and meaningless. In reality the entire book of Ecclesiastes, like Proverbs, is filled with practical wisdom, on how to accomplish things in this world and stay out of trouble and spiritual wisdom, on how to know and find eternal values. Solomon had an honest approach to life and all of his remarks on the futility of life are there for a purpose. They are there to cause us to seek fulfillment and happiness in God alone. Solomon was not trying to destroy our hope, but to direct our hopes to Jesus who is the only one who can truly fulfill them and give our life meaning. Solomon affirms the value of knowledge, human relationships, work, and pleasure but only in their proper place. All of our experiences in this lifetime must be seen in the light of the eternal. Read Proverbs and learn about wisdom and then read Ecclesiastes and learn about life. Hear the thoughts and lessons from the world's wisest man and apply the truths to your life but also hear the stern warnings and dire predictions, and commit yourself to remember your Creator. Solomon spoke of this human dilemma over 3,000 years ago but his insights and the application of his message is still relevant today. Although the tone of Ecclesiastes is negative and pessimistic, we should not ignore all the words and chapters up till the last one where Solomon draws his brilliant conclusion in Chapter 12:13-14: "Fear God, and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."