What's with all this wisdom?

As I started reading Proverbs Chapter Two today, it suddenly occured to me that it was almost identical to Chapter One. Of course my first thought was how people were going to react to another Devotional on wisdom. But then I asked myself why Solomon thought wisdom was such an important topic that he dedicated so much time to it, I thought today we would look at Chapter two in a new light. In the form of a question. Why was Solomon so pre-occupied with wisdom?

Solomon had it all. There's no doubt that he ruled over the golden age of Israel. He had riches that we can't even imagine, fame beyond belief, and wisdom greater than anyone who had ever lived. All of this of course, came from God.

Solomon was one of several sons of David and Bathsheba (1 Ch. 3:5). David had promised the Kingdom to Solomon (1 Kins 1:17), whom God had picked to follow him (1 Ch 28:5). God wanted to bless Israel through Solomon's rule. One night, God told Solomon to ask for anything and He would give it to him. Solomon knew that he needed wisdom to rule Israel.

When God answers a prayer, He doesn't go half way. Solomon wasn't given just a little wisdom; he became the wisest man who ever lived! His wisdom was known throughout the world, and people came from all over to meet him (1 Kings 4:29-24). Solomom built the greatest Temple in Jerusalem. He wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

Solomon struggled however at putting his wisdom to use when it came to his home life. God had commanded Israel not to intermarry with certain nations, yet Soloman "loved" many. God said "Surely they will turn away your hearts after other Gods." (1 Kings 11:1), but Solomon didn't listen. He didn't marry one or two women, he married 700, and also had 300 concubines. What God predicted came true of course; "His wives turned his heart after other; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God." (1 Kings 11:4).

Like Solomon, we may be wise in some areas, but not in managing our own lives. Solomon did much for the nation of Israel with his wisdom, but his unwise lack of restraint caused him to lose his Kingdom (1 Kings 11:11). A truly wise person knows how to apply his God-given talent to their life. That's how we should apply the wisdom of Proverbs Chapters 1 and 2 to our lives.

Be Blessed today, and I'll see you tomorrow.

With Love,
Pastor Mike

Other wisdom related passages

Deuteronomy 17:18-20
Joshua 1:8
Proverbs 1 and 2
Matthew 7:24-27 and 13:18-23
2 Timothy 3:14-17