Weekend Wisdom: Profound Proverbs

King Solomon's wisdom is famous throughout history and the world over. He is reputed to be the wisest man that ever lived. The main theme today is that Solomon asked to be wise - that wisdom (not wealth or success) was his priority. He did not put the pursuit of material wealth first, nor happiness, nor fame, nor longevity, nor revenge, nor relationships. With wisdom came wealth, influence, honour, and many relationship rewards too (700 wives and 300 concubines suggest he had a few interpersonal skills - 1 Kings 11:3) though the latter turned out to eventually become a distraction from his primary pursuit of wisdom.

Action Point

I'm never sure how many of you good readers have the time to finish my articles so I'll jump to the action point, and then build the case for this if you subsequently choose to read more! My point is that you will get value from reading The Book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters, making it easy to read a chapter to match each day of the month (where the month has 31 days!) If you've never read them before, you will be pleasantly surprised by how relevant these short, pithy sayings still are. In an age of Instagram, filled with quotes and insight, Proverbs offers the fast track to inspiration that has stood the test of time.

If you fancy even more action, I'd recommend that you ask for and seek for a wise and discerning heart for it is our thinking that leads our feelings and behaviours, and it is the choices we discern as best for us that determine our future. This world needs a better tomorrow, and that begins with better decisions today.

...more depth...

Solomon, a Secular Leader (too!)

Solomon is often dismissed by humanistic thinkers because he was a spiritual head of state. To dismiss Solomon thus is to miss the largest collection of management development teachings written in antiquity: The Book of Proverbs. These were instructions on how to behave at court, in business, and in life - are still ring true and relevant today. If you are into networking, The Book of Proverbs will improve your wisdom for networking.

Beyond this, Solomon was a famous Naturalist, like Sir David Attenbrough, and an Inventor like Leonardo da Vinci. Wisdom comments. Wisdom creates.

Solomon Asks for Discernment and Wisdom

Solomon's search for wisdom began when he realised the enormity of the challenges facing him as a leader. Are not today's leaders facing enormous challenges too? What follows is a shortened version of what can be read in 1 Kings 3.

Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said,

“Ask for what I should give you.”

...Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.  Your servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; behold, I have done according to your word.

Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.  I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honour, so that there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days. 

If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

Solomon awoke; and behold, it was a dream. [End quote.]

Wisdom First; Wealth Second

Like me, you may be concerned about so many well-meaning folks who get seduced by get-rich-quick programmes and schemes. The answer is to encourage us and them to pursue wisdom: understanding and discernment, first and foremost. The more wisdom we walk in, the more easily material wealth will follow.

In 2 Chronicles 9, we can see that it wasn't just the Queen of Sheba who sought out Solomon for his wisdom.

 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.  All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, and robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

This is reflected in one of Solomon's proverbs (22:29):

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.

Wisdom is the best path to wealth, honour, influence, and longevity. In an age where you and I can expand our reach through podcasting, YouTube, and Social Media, there has never been a better time for your voice of wisdom to speak to a listening world - a world hungry for wisdom.

Go Wide

Solomon's breadth of understanding is reflected in his interests and activities. If there was Rock in those days, Solomon was a Rock Star - he was certainly a composer. Consider these verses from 1 Kings 4.

 God gave Solomon abundant wisdom and understanding, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.  Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt...  and his fame was in all the nations all around.  He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs numbered one thousand five.  He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; he also spoke of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. People of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, sent by all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

Solomon: Author, Composer, Naturalist, Diplomat, Leader, Architect...

Like Leonardo da Vinci, who came so much later, Solomon's discernment was founded in diverse interests. We know now, from brain reseach, that a broad education makes it easier for the brain to process any learning on any subject. The more connections we have in our brains, the easier it becomes to acquire new understanding - the neural architecture of wisdom. Solomon was a man of the Arts and the Sciences, of Politics and Religion - and, above all, a man of learning and creativity.

The Modern Need for Wisdom Like Solomon's

Before studying Theology, my childhood passion was for Nature. If there ever was a need for wisdom, understanding, and discernment - now is the time. I close the main body of today's blog with a YouTube video of Sir David Attenborough on the future of our planet - a future that needs wise choices to be made, followed by consistent action. The continuation of civilisation is in our hands...

Appendix

Just to prove my point about the current relevance of The Book of Proverbs, today's blog was written on and for 6th January. Reading Proverbs 6 (matching the chapter to the date) we see guidance about the folly of being surety for someone else, and a call to diligence as a way to prepare for the future and a means to avoiding poverty - or, on a global scale, disaster!

[I quote.]

My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger; You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.

[End quote!]

I would suggest that these verses directly address the future of civilisation. It is time for us to awaken, make better decisions, and take informed action - action that ensures bread in all our future summers, and food from all our future harvests. If we continue to sleep...