DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT WENT WRONG

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHAT WENT WRONG?

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceeding great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt." (I Kings 4:29-30)

What a man! The name Solomon means peace (from Shalom), and the nation of Israel enjoyed peace with other nations throughout his reign. That takes a lot of wisdom of navigate the stormy waters between nations.

God had written a blank check to Solomon when he asked, "What shall I give you?" (3:5). Solomon's request is found in verse 9: "Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil." God was pleased with this request, and promised not only an understanding heart, but also what Solomon did not ask for: riches and honor (vs. 12-13). And what does "largeness of heart like the sand of the seashore" mean? I think it may mean that the breadth of his curiosity and knowledge included many subjects. Just reading the Proverbs shows the expansiveness of his thinking.

So what in the world went wrong with the wisest man who ever lived? I have pondered this over the years. God was so gracious and giving to Solomon. Yet Solomon did so many foolish things. For starters, he married women from foreign nations who brought their gods into Israel, and Solomon built temples for them. One would think if he had such wisdom, that he would have seen the problems that would come from that. The book of Ecclesiastes shows Solomon's search for meaning in the things of this world. He had all of God's blessings, but was not satisfied. Perhaps what went wrong was that Solomon didn't listen to his own preaching. After all, it was he who penned the famous words: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).

Does this sound like me or what? God has been so good to me. Not that I have a lot of wisdom, but God has blessed me abundantly. Yet I have found myself wandering away, trying to find life and meaning in the things of this world. I desire what Solomon asked for: to know the difference between good and evil.

We have no other need than God's blessings. Anything else pales in comparison.

Love, Dad