wisdom calls

And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in to his mind.  (2 Chronicles 9:23)

We know the story.  God comes to Solomon in a dream, and offers to give him whatever he asks.  Solomon, recognizing the large responsibility of governing God’s people, asks for discernment.  This pleases God.  He tells Solomon that he will give him wisdom and discernment like no one before or after him.  He will be the wisest person to live, ever.

In many ways the story of Solomon and the wisdom given to him by the Lord is unique.  Yet, there is a way it is not so unusual.  In 2 Chronicles, the verse I reference, we are told that it was God who put wisdom in the mind of Solomon. Scripture teaches that wisdom begins with the Lord (Psalm 111:10) and that it is he who gives wisdom (Proverbs 2:6).  That if we lack, all we are to do is ask and he will give us wisdom (James 1:5).  Like Solomon, we too are dependent on the Lord for wisdom.

Throughout the book of Proverbs we are told to prize wisdom even above earthly treasure!  The reason being, that if we want to walk in the way of good and keep the paths of righteousness we need wisdom (Proverbs 2).  If we desire to finish our race well, for our lives to make an eternal difference, we too must see the magnificent worth of wisdom and abandon the counterfeit wisdom of world to pursue what is true.

Wisdom calls to us, even today,

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.  I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.  (Proverbs 8:19-21)

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.(Proverbs 8:36)