1. Miriam2. Manoah's wife
3. Abigail
4. The wise woman of Tekoa (2 Samuel 14)
5. The wise woman of Abel (2 Samuel 20)
6. The Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4)
7. Ruth
8. Mary sister of Martha
9. Priscilla
10. Lois and Eunice
A blog featuring whatever I fancy, often on the Christian faith but not exclusively
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
10 wise women in the Bible
1. Miriam2. Manoah's wife
3. Abigail
4. The wise woman of Tekoa (2 Samuel 14)
5. The wise woman of Abel (2 Samuel 20)
6. The Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4)
7. Ruth
8. Mary sister of Martha
9. Priscilla
10. Lois and Eunice
10 wise men in the Bible
1. Joseph (Gen 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you)
2. Solomon
3. Ethan the Ezrahite (Author of Psalm 89. See 1 Kings 4:31)
4. Heman (and Kalkol and Darda) sons of Mahol (Author of Psalm 88. See 1 Kings 4:31)
5. Ahithophel (Counsellor to King David see 2 Samuel 15)
6. Hushai the Arkite (Counsellor of King David see 2 Samuel 15)
7. Agur son of Jakeh (see Proverbs 30)
8. King Lemuel (see Proverbs 31)
9. Daniel (and his friends) (Daniel 1:17, etc, To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds)
10. Stephen (Acts 6:10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke)
[You could add Paul (2 Peter 3:15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him)]
8.3 Wisdom further exemplified
Previous chapter (apologies for long gap)The joy that wisdom brings
We turn next to verses 1 Kings 4:20-29. We want to ask two questions.
Firstly, what does the writer tell us?
The writer tells us that Solomon ruled over a numerous and contented people and that he had a large, stable, prosperous, peaceful and well-ordered kingdom. The marks of God’s blessing were everywhere.
1. The population was large – 20a ‘The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore’. The promise to Abraham had in part been fulfilled by Solomon’s time. (See Gen 22:17).
2. The people were happy – 20b ‘they ate, they drank and they were happy’. There was harmony.
25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig-tree.
3. The territory was large, as large as it ever became. 21ab ‘And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River (Euphrates) to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt’. This again picks up on what was promised to Abraham in Genesis.
4. The regime was stable. Stability is something to be appreciated. It is the product of wise and strong government. 21c ‘These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.’ That is one reason why the people ‘lived in safety’. We are told (26) that ‘Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses.’ No doubt that reassured people.
5. The nation was prosperous.
22, 23 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.
It has been estimated that there was enough to feed four or five thousand people everyday. (Other estimates are much higher, depending on how much each one ate.)
6. The empire was peaceful - 24 ‘For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides.’
7. The kingdom was competently organised.
27, 28 The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. They also brought to the proper place their quotas of barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses.
We turn next to verses 1 Kings 4:20-29. We want to ask two questions.
Firstly, what does the writer tell us?
The writer tells us that Solomon ruled over a numerous and contented people and that he had a large, stable, prosperous, peaceful and well-ordered kingdom. The marks of God’s blessing were everywhere.
1. The population was large – 20a ‘The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore’. The promise to Abraham had in part been fulfilled by Solomon’s time. (See Gen 22:17).
2. The people were happy – 20b ‘they ate, they drank and they were happy’. There was harmony.
25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig-tree.
3. The territory was large, as large as it ever became. 21ab ‘And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River (Euphrates) to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt’. This again picks up on what was promised to Abraham in Genesis.
4. The regime was stable. Stability is something to be appreciated. It is the product of wise and strong government. 21c ‘These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.’ That is one reason why the people ‘lived in safety’. We are told (26) that ‘Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses.’ No doubt that reassured people.
5. The nation was prosperous.
22, 23 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.
It has been estimated that there was enough to feed four or five thousand people everyday. (Other estimates are much higher, depending on how much each one ate.)
6. The empire was peaceful - 24 ‘For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides.’
7. The kingdom was competently organised.
27, 28 The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. They also brought to the proper place their quotas of barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses.
Secondly, why does the writer tell us this?
Clearly the writer is very enthusiastic about what he has to say. He is excited. As D Ralph Davis puts it, when he describes ‘Solomon’s daily provisions’ he is saying ‘Get a load of this: for only one day, folks’. He is saying ‘Isn’t that impressive?’ The reason why he thinks it is impressive and why he is so joyful about it is that he sees it as the fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham. This, at least in part, is the fulfilment of what God promised to Abraham so long before. The point here then is not simply that wisdom leads to joy – although that is true, wisdom brings real delight to all who exercise it – but also that God fulfils his promises to the faithful and it is his wisdom that brings joy.
Clearly the writer is very enthusiastic about what he has to say. He is excited. As D Ralph Davis puts it, when he describes ‘Solomon’s daily provisions’ he is saying ‘Get a load of this: for only one day, folks’. He is saying ‘Isn’t that impressive?’ The reason why he thinks it is impressive and why he is so joyful about it is that he sees it as the fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham. This, at least in part, is the fulfilment of what God promised to Abraham so long before. The point here then is not simply that wisdom leads to joy – although that is true, wisdom brings real delight to all who exercise it – but also that God fulfils his promises to the faithful and it is his wisdom that brings joy.
The variety that wisdom exhibits
In the final section (29-34) the writer seeks to sum up Solomon’s wisdom and the sort of impact that he had. He makes some five points, which teach us further things about wisdom, particularly about its dimensions. We must not think of wisdom as something monolithic or static. There is tremendous variety in it. This comes out here along with the reminder that wisdom comes from God and amazes men. I suppose we can think of it in terms of wisdom coming down and diversifying, leading to amazement all around.
1. True wisdom is given by God. We ought not to miss 29a ‘God gave Solomon wisdom.’ This has already been said and the story of Solomon’s wisdom underlines it. Never forget that. True wisdom is from above.
2. True wisdom is deep and broad in scope. Verse 29 goes on
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
The wisdom that Solomon had from God gave him both insight and breadth of understanding. This is the nature of true wisdom. It is often observed that there are an increasing number of people who are getting to know more and more about less and less. The other side of this is that there are less and less people who know a little bit about many things. Wisdom is marked both by deep insight and broad understanding. That is what to seek – deep insight into and broad understanding of the Bible and of God. Are you seeking that?
3. True wisdom is varied in degree. We are told in verses 30 and 31 that
Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite - wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol.
No wonder ‘his fame spread to all the surrounding nations’. We do not know who the men mentioned were although Ethan is the author of Psalm 89. Like them we cannot be as wise as Solomon but we can be wise to a degree. If we can at least be wiser than we were yesterday, wiser than others ….
4. True wisdom is expressed in various ways. 32 ‘He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.’ Solomon was no one chord player. He was no one trick pony. He had many strings to his bow. There was variety in his wisdom. Some of it went into proverbs – compact portable wisdom. Many of these proverbs are preserved for us in Scripture. Some of it went into songs – we have the best of them in the Bible, the Song of Songs. He also (33)
described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.
These very references remind us of the variety of knowledge that can be acquired. What a wonderful world God has made. We should all have an interest in at least some part of it and work to gain knowledge about it.
5. True wisdom is attractive to men.
34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
Surely this is one of the ways that we can make the teaching about the Saviour attractive. Here is real wisdom. It is found in God’s Word. It humbles us when it points to our sin but then it lifts us up as it shows us the way to heaven through faith in Christ.
8.2 Wisdom further exemplified
Previous chapter A lesson in wisdom
The main thing here then (in 1 Kings 4) is that wisdom is marked by order. Wisdom is concerned not only with justice and truth but also with very practical matters. It is marked by efficiency and organisation. It is systematic, methodical. It avoids chaos and waste. Solomon’s kingdom was undoubtedly a great one. Part of its secret (and this is true of any great empire of any sort) was organisation.
Now the applications for us are many. Let me highlight just four obvious ones to focus on.
1. Prayer and Bible Study
One of the marks of a Christian is that he prays. In order to do that we must develop a prayerful spirit. We also need to set aside specific times to pray as individuals and with others. This involves organisation. The same can be said of studying the Bible. If you wait for a quiet moment, it may never come. Similarly, if you plan for daily times with the Bible and have no plan for reading through the Scriptures systematically then you will make little progress. There is a lot of help available in this area but planning is vital.
One of the marks of a Christian is that he prays. In order to do that we must develop a prayerful spirit. We also need to set aside specific times to pray as individuals and with others. This involves organisation. The same can be said of studying the Bible. If you wait for a quiet moment, it may never come. Similarly, if you plan for daily times with the Bible and have no plan for reading through the Scriptures systematically then you will make little progress. There is a lot of help available in this area but planning is vital.
2. Daily work or study
Now in some cases things are regimented for you, such as on a factory assembly line or in a primary school. In many other situations you have a certain amount of flexibility, for example as a housewife, a farmer, a taxi driver, a freelancer or a pastor. Most callings involve a mixture of regimentation and flexibility. In every case it is important that you plan your time. Wisdom says that a certain number of things need to be done or could be done but there is only a certain amount of time and somehow, allowing for interruptions and so on, we must find a way of working hard and working well for God’s glory. Similar applications could be made to the way you arrange things in your house or your weekly time-table. God is a God of order.
Now in some cases things are regimented for you, such as on a factory assembly line or in a primary school. In many other situations you have a certain amount of flexibility, for example as a housewife, a farmer, a taxi driver, a freelancer or a pastor. Most callings involve a mixture of regimentation and flexibility. In every case it is important that you plan your time. Wisdom says that a certain number of things need to be done or could be done but there is only a certain amount of time and somehow, allowing for interruptions and so on, we must find a way of working hard and working well for God’s glory. Similar applications could be made to the way you arrange things in your house or your weekly time-table. God is a God of order.
3. Church life
This needs order too. The Lord’s Day is most important. It is best to meet morning and afternoon or evening as it will help people to keep the whole day to the Lord. The timings should be chosen to suit the maximum number. Usually spending all day together is not a good idea as there are other things to be done (such as family time, sick visiting, reading, getting in touch with relatives elsewhere, evangelism), although it can be attempted occasionally. The services should not be overlong as some cannot sit for lengthy periods. The Lord’s Supper must be celebrated regularly. A midweek meeting is a good idea in most situations. Whether to have a combined study and prayer meeting or separate meetings will vary. Extra meetings for women, children and other groups can be useful. It is best to follow a regularly weekly pattern that people can easily understand. Church members’ meetings ought to be organised too, whatever our ecclesiology.
This needs order too. The Lord’s Day is most important. It is best to meet morning and afternoon or evening as it will help people to keep the whole day to the Lord. The timings should be chosen to suit the maximum number. Usually spending all day together is not a good idea as there are other things to be done (such as family time, sick visiting, reading, getting in touch with relatives elsewhere, evangelism), although it can be attempted occasionally. The services should not be overlong as some cannot sit for lengthy periods. The Lord’s Supper must be celebrated regularly. A midweek meeting is a good idea in most situations. Whether to have a combined study and prayer meeting or separate meetings will vary. Extra meetings for women, children and other groups can be useful. It is best to follow a regularly weekly pattern that people can easily understand. Church members’ meetings ought to be organised too, whatever our ecclesiology.
4. Preaching
The same principles apply here. Preachers ought to try and put things in some sort of order. Some preachers mistakenly avoid them but the words ‘firstly, secondly, etc’ in a sermon can be a tremendous help to a congregation. It ought to be easy to follow. Systematic preaching through Bible subjects and topics is also to be commended. Something similar could probably be said about other aspects of the Christian ministry such as prayer and pastoralia.
8.1 Wisdom further exemplified
Previous chapter
The orderliness that wisdom creates
The Bible is full of lists – lists of names, gifts and offerings, place names, virtues and vices. What is your attitude to lists? Personally, I am positive – I use them for shopping, for packing to go away; I often make a ‘to do’ list at the start of a day. Prayer lists can be useful too. It can also be fun to list your favourites – favourite songs, favourite foods, favourite books, etc.
There has been a bit of a fad for this in recent years. Some even believe that list-making is a way to personal fulfilment. There has also been a fashion for publishing books of lists over recent decades. I have one that includes fun things like ‘ten signs spring is on its way’; ‘ten things to do at 4 in the morning’; ‘ten actors who’ve played cartoon characters’.
Lists can be enjoyable. They can also be illuminating. Take shopping lists or laundry lists. They can be interesting in their own right. The older they are the more so. Insights into ancient Egypt and Colonial New England, for example, have been gained in recent years from just such lists. We have a fascinating list somewhere in the archives of our church from the thirties or forties listing charges for use of the premises.
However, some lists are hard to get much out of, even lists in the Bible. Maybe that is how you feel about the two here. Two possible reasons for this, it has been suggested, are unwillingness to do a bit of hard work and a lack of imagination. There is no real excuse for either. We can get something from these verses.
Solomon is most famous for his great wisdom. Already we have considered aspects of this – what wisdom is, how Solomon gained his, the nature of the wisdom that he had. The subject of wisdom continues to dominate the story of Solomon in 1 Kings 4. That might not be immediately apparent as the chapter begins with two lists and some facts and figures that, at first sight, seem to have nothing to do with wisdom. However, when you come to the end of the chapter (29-34) wisdom is clearly the theme.
'God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East … He was wiser than any other man … Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.'
These verses, which take us back to Chapter 3 where Solomon gains and manifests wisdom, suggest that the whole section, Chapters 3 and 4, is about wisdom and ought to be considered in this way.
So here is another lesson about wisdom before we go any further. It is often found where we do not expect it. Or to put it another way - we do not always recognise it when we see it. The corollary is that not all that appears to be wisdom really is wisdom. This should warn us against being too quick to suppose that something is wise or foolish. Generally speaking in the western world these last hundred years have been marked by a reluctance to hold on to the Bible and its message and a corresponding confidence in the ‘powers of science’ and in human learning to solve the world’s problems. Hopefully the tide is turning (there is some evidence for that) but the after-effects are still with us. People are beginning to see how mixed and unreliable the ‘assured results of modern science’ are, which is good. There needs to be a corresponding rediscovery of the Word of God. Here is wisdom, heavenly wisdom, the real wisdom that we all need. Is that where you are looking for wisdom? In this chapter, I would suggest, there are at least three further things to learn about wisdom and its nature.
'God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East … He was wiser than any other man … Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.'
These verses, which take us back to Chapter 3 where Solomon gains and manifests wisdom, suggest that the whole section, Chapters 3 and 4, is about wisdom and ought to be considered in this way.
So here is another lesson about wisdom before we go any further. It is often found where we do not expect it. Or to put it another way - we do not always recognise it when we see it. The corollary is that not all that appears to be wisdom really is wisdom. This should warn us against being too quick to suppose that something is wise or foolish. Generally speaking in the western world these last hundred years have been marked by a reluctance to hold on to the Bible and its message and a corresponding confidence in the ‘powers of science’ and in human learning to solve the world’s problems. Hopefully the tide is turning (there is some evidence for that) but the after-effects are still with us. People are beginning to see how mixed and unreliable the ‘assured results of modern science’ are, which is good. There needs to be a corresponding rediscovery of the Word of God. Here is wisdom, heavenly wisdom, the real wisdom that we all need. Is that where you are looking for wisdom? In this chapter, I would suggest, there are at least three further things to learn about wisdom and its nature.
The orderliness that wisdom creates
The Bible is full of lists – lists of names, gifts and offerings, place names, virtues and vices. What is your attitude to lists? Personally, I am positive – I use them for shopping, for packing to go away; I often make a ‘to do’ list at the start of a day. Prayer lists can be useful too. It can also be fun to list your favourites – favourite songs, favourite foods, favourite books, etc.
There has been a bit of a fad for this in recent years. Some even believe that list-making is a way to personal fulfilment. There has also been a fashion for publishing books of lists over recent decades. I have one that includes fun things like ‘ten signs spring is on its way’; ‘ten things to do at 4 in the morning’; ‘ten actors who’ve played cartoon characters’.
Lists can be enjoyable. They can also be illuminating. Take shopping lists or laundry lists. They can be interesting in their own right. The older they are the more so. Insights into ancient Egypt and Colonial New England, for example, have been gained in recent years from just such lists. We have a fascinating list somewhere in the archives of our church from the thirties or forties listing charges for use of the premises.
However, some lists are hard to get much out of, even lists in the Bible. Maybe that is how you feel about the two here. Two possible reasons for this, it has been suggested, are unwillingness to do a bit of hard work and a lack of imagination. There is no real excuse for either. We can get something from these verses.
Consider these lists
The first list (1-6). This names Solomon’s chief officials, his cabinet if you like. Some seven or eight offices are listed and some 11 officeholders (some offices are held by more than one man). There are priests, secretaries, a recorder, the commander-in-chief of armed forces, a personal advisor and men in charge of district officers, forced labour and the king’s palace.
It is clear that Solomon was concerned about religion (hence the priests), keeping records (we cannot be sure exactly what the secretaries and recorder did) and the organisation of military and labour, as well as his own personal needs. He did not do everything himself but was happy to delegate and so make use of the talents of others. That is part of wisdom we can be sure. There is a mixture here of continuity with his father’s reign and innovation, using new people and new offices – another mark of wisdom. The one possibly ominous note is the reference to forced labour. We know that this eventually became a problem when his son Rehoboam succeeded.
The second list (7-19) tells how (7) ‘Solomon also had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household. Each one had to provide supplies for one month in the year.’ Their names and districts are then listed with one or two brief notes. Scholars have read all sorts of things into these verses but it simply explains the plan that Solomon adopted for providing for his own daily needs and those of his household. Some detail about this is given later in the chapter.
Rather than simply following the old tribal divisions he divided the land into 12, no doubt appropriate, districts for this specific need. Its beauty was that it kept the royal palace supplied and yet by spreading the load put no undue burden on any one district.
No doubt you can imagine the excitement in a given district – say ‘in the hill country of Ephraim’, the large hilly area north of Benjamin and Judah or ‘in Naphoth Dor’, the very fertile area on the northern tip of the Plain of Sharon, by the Mediterranean Sea – as their month approached. For 11 months of the year preparations had been underway and now for the next 30 days they were the ones responsible for making sure that there was a daily supply up in Jerusalem. They had not only to grow or acquire and store the crops and nurture the animals required but transport it all up so that it was in the right place at the right time. What a logistical challenge! Perhaps we can imagine someone reporting to Ben-Hur or Ben-Deker or one of Solomon’s sons-in-law, Ben-Abinadab or Ahimaaz, the month before about some problem and their wondering if they are going to be able to make up the potential shortfall.
The first list (1-6). This names Solomon’s chief officials, his cabinet if you like. Some seven or eight offices are listed and some 11 officeholders (some offices are held by more than one man). There are priests, secretaries, a recorder, the commander-in-chief of armed forces, a personal advisor and men in charge of district officers, forced labour and the king’s palace.
It is clear that Solomon was concerned about religion (hence the priests), keeping records (we cannot be sure exactly what the secretaries and recorder did) and the organisation of military and labour, as well as his own personal needs. He did not do everything himself but was happy to delegate and so make use of the talents of others. That is part of wisdom we can be sure. There is a mixture here of continuity with his father’s reign and innovation, using new people and new offices – another mark of wisdom. The one possibly ominous note is the reference to forced labour. We know that this eventually became a problem when his son Rehoboam succeeded.
The second list (7-19) tells how (7) ‘Solomon also had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household. Each one had to provide supplies for one month in the year.’ Their names and districts are then listed with one or two brief notes. Scholars have read all sorts of things into these verses but it simply explains the plan that Solomon adopted for providing for his own daily needs and those of his household. Some detail about this is given later in the chapter.
Rather than simply following the old tribal divisions he divided the land into 12, no doubt appropriate, districts for this specific need. Its beauty was that it kept the royal palace supplied and yet by spreading the load put no undue burden on any one district.
No doubt you can imagine the excitement in a given district – say ‘in the hill country of Ephraim’, the large hilly area north of Benjamin and Judah or ‘in Naphoth Dor’, the very fertile area on the northern tip of the Plain of Sharon, by the Mediterranean Sea – as their month approached. For 11 months of the year preparations had been underway and now for the next 30 days they were the ones responsible for making sure that there was a daily supply up in Jerusalem. They had not only to grow or acquire and store the crops and nurture the animals required but transport it all up so that it was in the right place at the right time. What a logistical challenge! Perhaps we can imagine someone reporting to Ben-Hur or Ben-Deker or one of Solomon’s sons-in-law, Ben-Abinadab or Ahimaaz, the month before about some problem and their wondering if they are going to be able to make up the potential shortfall.
7.3 Wisdom exemplified
Besides the first three thinsg we learn about wisdom mentioned last time, we also learn
4. It goes back to first principles
The question here was which woman was the true mother. By focusing on that central question Solomon was able to see that what he needed to do was to reveal the answer to that specific question. Once that was done everything else would fall into place. It is for this that he sought. Too often and in too many areas we are not wise because we are unwilling to go back to basics, back to first principles.
The question here was which woman was the true mother. By focusing on that central question Solomon was able to see that what he needed to do was to reveal the answer to that specific question. Once that was done everything else would fall into place. It is for this that he sought. Too often and in too many areas we are not wise because we are unwilling to go back to basics, back to first principles.
5. It sees that getting at the truth sometimes involves using unconventional means
What a way to deal with the situation! But it worked. Solomon saw he was not going to get anywhere by conventional means. Something powerful and dramatic was necessary. He needed to bring this thing to a head. Somehow the true mother had to be revealed. His method was perfect for that. Somehow we must learn to see things clearly and to be willing to act decisively. Solomon had no intention of having the baby killed, of course, but he pretended that he did. Some would find that sort of sleight of hand objectionable but surely there are contexts, as here, where it is acceptable. We read of the risen Christ himself making as if he was going to continue his journey.
What a way to deal with the situation! But it worked. Solomon saw he was not going to get anywhere by conventional means. Something powerful and dramatic was necessary. He needed to bring this thing to a head. Somehow the true mother had to be revealed. His method was perfect for that. Somehow we must learn to see things clearly and to be willing to act decisively. Solomon had no intention of having the baby killed, of course, but he pretended that he did. Some would find that sort of sleight of hand objectionable but surely there are contexts, as here, where it is acceptable. We read of the risen Christ himself making as if he was going to continue his journey.
6. It is an admirable, awe-inspiring thing
Do not miss verse 28 ‘When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe.’ It is certainly an absolutely amazing story. I have often thought about it and I do not think I would have come up with a solution even in a lifetime. But Solomon did. There is something awe-inspiring about wisdom. You think especially of the examples of Jesus’ wisdom. For example the way he answered that question about whether the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar or the way he handled all sorts of potentially difficult questions.
Or think more mundanely of the wisdom of putting a knot in your thread if you are sewing or how to split a chocolate bar between two children – let one cut it in half and the other choose which 'half' to have.
What about the wisdom of having answers ready for sceptics? For example, if the Bible was written by bad men why would they be so keen on such high morals? If it was written by good men, why should they lie about the resurrection?
Do not miss verse 28 ‘When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe.’ It is certainly an absolutely amazing story. I have often thought about it and I do not think I would have come up with a solution even in a lifetime. But Solomon did. There is something awe-inspiring about wisdom. You think especially of the examples of Jesus’ wisdom. For example the way he answered that question about whether the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar or the way he handled all sorts of potentially difficult questions.
Or think more mundanely of the wisdom of putting a knot in your thread if you are sewing or how to split a chocolate bar between two children – let one cut it in half and the other choose which 'half' to have.
What about the wisdom of having answers ready for sceptics? For example, if the Bible was written by bad men why would they be so keen on such high morals? If it was written by good men, why should they lie about the resurrection?
The resurrection itself can be established without difficulty once the inadequate alternatives are considered – that Jesus either ‘swooned’ or was replaced by someone else, that the body was stolen either by his disciples or his enemies.
C S Lewis famously pointed out that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or the Lord. There are no other real alternatives.
It is God who convinces men, of course, but such arguments have something awesome in their simplicity and power.
It is God who convinces men, of course, but such arguments have something awesome in their simplicity and power.
7. It is something God-given
The verse ends ‘because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.’ True wisdom comes from God alone. Man’s wisdom fails. There are many examples of man’s foolish ‘wisdom’. In China in the 1950s Chairman Mao ordered a ‘Four pests campaign’ against fleas, mosquitoes, rats and sparrows. Peasants in many places banged pots and pans to scare sparrows away from crops. Terrified of landing, the birds died of exhaustion. The unforeseen upshot was that many more locusts lived than would otherwise have been the case, leading to several plagues, the loss of many crops and the death of millions.
Or think of the misguided animal rights activists who, in 1998, set free 6,500 mink from a farm in the south of England, leading to the deaths of many domesticated and wild animals and birds, including some rare species. There have been other similar incidents.
Other examples abound. The First World War was to have been ‘The war to end all wars’. Despite much optimism at one time, universal education and better housing in Western Europe have not served to improve moral standards.
The verse ends ‘because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.’ True wisdom comes from God alone. Man’s wisdom fails. There are many examples of man’s foolish ‘wisdom’. In China in the 1950s Chairman Mao ordered a ‘Four pests campaign’ against fleas, mosquitoes, rats and sparrows. Peasants in many places banged pots and pans to scare sparrows away from crops. Terrified of landing, the birds died of exhaustion. The unforeseen upshot was that many more locusts lived than would otherwise have been the case, leading to several plagues, the loss of many crops and the death of millions.
Or think of the misguided animal rights activists who, in 1998, set free 6,500 mink from a farm in the south of England, leading to the deaths of many domesticated and wild animals and birds, including some rare species. There have been other similar incidents.
Other examples abound. The First World War was to have been ‘The war to end all wars’. Despite much optimism at one time, universal education and better housing in Western Europe have not served to improve moral standards.
Babies born with Downe’s syndrome were once called Mongols because of a bizarre, unscientific and racist understanding of embryonic development.
More controversially, the theory of evolution and the extensive use of prison as a means of punishment in the last hundred years can be cited as further examples of man’s folly.
What insight do we gain into Christ’s wisdom here?
Always we want to see Christ in the Scriptures and as Solomon is a type of Christ we end the chapter by briefly drawing attention to four qualities of Christ that come out in this passage. These qualities are seen now in part but will especially be evident on the final Day of judgement when he judges the world. Remember (2 Cor 5:10) We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1. He is able to discern the truth
Like Solomon Christ has the power of perceiving the truth. It is not possible to pull the wool over his eyes. Though many attempt it, he cannot be fooled. God is not mocked. One day ‘God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ’ (Rom 2:16).
2. He is able to bring about justice
Like Solomon Christ the great Judge is more than able to establish justice. The Judge of all the world, for that is who he is by the Father’s appointment, will do right. 1 Cor 4:5 ‘He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.’
3. He will be gracious to the good
This incident must have led to great relief and consolation for the woman who almost lost her baby owing to the folly and dishonesty of another. Similarly, there is a great day of consolation coming for all who look to Christ. He will not fail us. Rom 2:7, 10 ‘To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life.’ There will be ‘glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.’
This incident must have led to great relief and consolation for the woman who almost lost her baby owing to the folly and dishonesty of another. Similarly, there is a great day of consolation coming for all who look to Christ. He will not fail us. Rom 2:7, 10 ‘To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life.’ There will be ‘glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.’
4. He will expose the evil nature of the wicked
For the other woman this was the end of the road. She had clung to a lie in order to find comfort and relief. In the end, her folly and dishonesty are exposed. So it will be at the Judgement for all who have sort to live dishonest and wicked lives. Rom 2:8, 9 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
For the other woman this was the end of the road. She had clung to a lie in order to find comfort and relief. In the end, her folly and dishonesty are exposed. So it will be at the Judgement for all who have sort to live dishonest and wicked lives. Rom 2:8, 9 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
7.2 Wisdom exemplified
We have said that we need wisdom because we are ignorant and because of conflicting opinions. Further, we need wisdom ...
3. Because of the existence of evil in the world
Of course, what exacerbates this problem is the evil in the world. We might be tempted to think that if the one woman had not rolled onto her baby this problem would not have arisen. Or go back further. If these two women had not become prostitutes they never would have ended up living in the same house as they were living without husbands. If no man had been willing to sleep with them as prostitutes, the problem may never have arisen. It is the existence of sin in the world that so complicates things and makes for multiple dilemmas. Proverbs 10:23 ‘A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.’
4. Because of deceivers in this world
Of course, the dilemma is ultimately due to one woman’s refusal to tell the truth. If she had simply accepted her own bad mistake, as tragic as it was and as hard to take as it must have been, then this dilemma would never have arisen. One of the earliest lessons we need to learn if we are ever going to be wise is that not everyone tells the truth. I know it sounds obvious to say – a truism indeed – but you would be surprised how often it is forgotten. Just because a man says the Bible is not true or that God does not exist, do not be taken in by him. He may well not be telling you the truth! He may protest very loudly and use seemingly profound arguments but in fact he is lying. Proverbs 18:17 ‘The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.’
Of course, the dilemma is ultimately due to one woman’s refusal to tell the truth. If she had simply accepted her own bad mistake, as tragic as it was and as hard to take as it must have been, then this dilemma would never have arisen. One of the earliest lessons we need to learn if we are ever going to be wise is that not everyone tells the truth. I know it sounds obvious to say – a truism indeed – but you would be surprised how often it is forgotten. Just because a man says the Bible is not true or that God does not exist, do not be taken in by him. He may well not be telling you the truth! He may protest very loudly and use seemingly profound arguments but in fact he is lying. Proverbs 18:17 ‘The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.’
5. Because of the need to make decisions
Clearly a decision had to be made here. That is what brings wisdom into sharp relief. That is why wisdom has to be an everyday thing. Every day we are making thousands of decisions. What time shall I get up? What shall I do first? Shall I agree to do this? Shall I say no? Shall I trust this person or not? Shall I believe this or believe that? In every decision large or small we all need wisdom.
Clearly a decision had to be made here. That is what brings wisdom into sharp relief. That is why wisdom has to be an everyday thing. Every day we are making thousands of decisions. What time shall I get up? What shall I do first? Shall I agree to do this? Shall I say no? Shall I trust this person or not? Shall I believe this or believe that? In every decision large or small we all need wisdom.
6. Because of the need for order and justice in this world
You may have been tempted to say that it was their problem and that they should sort it out themselves as best they could. But imagine what would happen if that became widespread. It would lead to anarchy. No longer would right be the important thing but might. There would be no one to defend the weak. No, it was vital that the true mother be discovered and for her to have her own baby.
Such things do matter. Without order and justice in this world, life becomes intolerable. We should pray for those in charge of justice in our own countries and beyond. Pray that they will be people of integrity and wisdom. Pray for them in the tough decisions they have to make, sometimes on an almost daily basis. Otherwise, what suffering lies ahead. In some places things are bad enough already in many respects. If all law and order breaks down, how much worse. This dishonest woman was pretty bad but at least she saw that in the face of justice she could not win. What a relief to the honest mother when she saw justice prevail!
You may have been tempted to say that it was their problem and that they should sort it out themselves as best they could. But imagine what would happen if that became widespread. It would lead to anarchy. No longer would right be the important thing but might. There would be no one to defend the weak. No, it was vital that the true mother be discovered and for her to have her own baby.
Such things do matter. Without order and justice in this world, life becomes intolerable. We should pray for those in charge of justice in our own countries and beyond. Pray that they will be people of integrity and wisdom. Pray for them in the tough decisions they have to make, sometimes on an almost daily basis. Otherwise, what suffering lies ahead. In some places things are bad enough already in many respects. If all law and order breaks down, how much worse. This dishonest woman was pretty bad but at least she saw that in the face of justice she could not win. What a relief to the honest mother when she saw justice prevail!
What do we learn about the nature of wisdom here?
Already we are beginning to see something of the nature of wisdom. Let us spell it out a little more.
Already we are beginning to see something of the nature of wisdom. Let us spell it out a little more.
1. It is aware that simply gathering the facts is not always possible
Solomon does not go looking for witnesses. He does not try to tease out more facts. That is the instinct of most and often it will help. However, here it is useless. The one woman is determined to tell lies, the other did not actually see what happened and is only putting two and two together.
There are many things about which we cannot gather facts in the conventional sense. For example, the beginning of the world, God’s existence, the soul of man. Such questions are not susceptible to scientific enquiry in the normal way. It is part of wisdom to recognise that.
Solomon does not go looking for witnesses. He does not try to tease out more facts. That is the instinct of most and often it will help. However, here it is useless. The one woman is determined to tell lies, the other did not actually see what happened and is only putting two and two together.
There are many things about which we cannot gather facts in the conventional sense. For example, the beginning of the world, God’s existence, the soul of man. Such questions are not susceptible to scientific enquiry in the normal way. It is part of wisdom to recognise that.
2. It is aware that simply listening to all opinions is not always effective
We have already made this point but we want to underline it because it is a common view that really needs to be scotched. It is a profound mistake to suppose that once you have asked everyone’s opinion then you are in a position to come to a wise decision. There are many problems with that popular but erroneous view. Firstly, how do you know you have everyone’s opinion? Then, how do you know if they are all telling the truth? Further, how do you know that one of these opinions is right and that they are not all wrong?
We have already made this point but we want to underline it because it is a common view that really needs to be scotched. It is a profound mistake to suppose that once you have asked everyone’s opinion then you are in a position to come to a wise decision. There are many problems with that popular but erroneous view. Firstly, how do you know you have everyone’s opinion? Then, how do you know if they are all telling the truth? Further, how do you know that one of these opinions is right and that they are not all wrong?
3. It is aware that focusing on the real issue is vital
One interesting thing here is that Solomon takes no time to rebuke the women for engaging in prostitution. He resists the temptation to say ‘If you were not prostitutes this would never have happened’. He does not go into how the other baby died either. I would guess that the wicked woman was drunk – I may be wrong. Perhaps they were both drunk and that is how it was so easy to exchange babies. These are guesses and in the end they are irrelevant.
The one crucial issue was whose baby is it? If we are to be wise we need to focus on the real issue in that way. It is the big issues that need to get our attention – God’s existence, the truth of the Bible, that Jesus is the one and only Saviour, that he died on the cross in the place of sinners, that faith in him can save you from hell and bring you to heaven. Focus there.
One interesting thing here is that Solomon takes no time to rebuke the women for engaging in prostitution. He resists the temptation to say ‘If you were not prostitutes this would never have happened’. He does not go into how the other baby died either. I would guess that the wicked woman was drunk – I may be wrong. Perhaps they were both drunk and that is how it was so easy to exchange babies. These are guesses and in the end they are irrelevant.
The one crucial issue was whose baby is it? If we are to be wise we need to focus on the real issue in that way. It is the big issues that need to get our attention – God’s existence, the truth of the Bible, that Jesus is the one and only Saviour, that he died on the cross in the place of sinners, that faith in him can save you from hell and bring you to heaven. Focus there.
7.1 Wisdom exemplified
Previous Chapter
Why do we need wisdom?
This is one thing we can explore here. Wisdom, of course, is not the same as knowledge. Wisdom is applying knowledge. It is a little like the difference between learning and teaching, between science and technology – the appliance of science. It is like the difference between a recipe and cooking a cake, an instruction pamphlet from IKEA and the completed kitchen, a sermon and the actual preaching, hearing a sermon and doing it. So why do we need wisdom?
1. Because of our ignorance
The reason this case came before Solomon is because no-one knew exactly what had happened. The one woman who saw what happened was not telling the truth. The woman disputing her claim had worked out the story but she had not actually seen it happen. None of us are God. He alone knows and sees all things. There are many, many things that we have not seen and that we do not know. Because we are so ignorant we need something more than knowledge. We need wisdom. Indeed, one of the first steps to it is to realise how ignorant we are. One of Solomon’s Proverbs (26:12) says ‘Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.’ See also 1 Cor 8:2 ‘The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.’
2. Because of conflicting opinions
There are some people who think they can be wise simply by seeking the opinions of others. Proverbs 19:20 does say ‘Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.’ However, simply listening to the opinions of others is not enough. The writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg is an example of a man who seems to work on this erroneous principle. If you ever listen to his programmes you will notice how his procedure with a subject is to bring in the recognised experts and from them to try and gather the evidence to gain an informed understanding. It seems to be the obvious way forward.
He would get nowhere with these two women, however. He would have them on his programme; he would interview them. He would probe them a bit and maybe he would be more sympathetic to one or the other. It would make an interesting programme, perhaps. The problem, however, would not be solved. Canvassing opinion is all very good but it will not make you wise. This is the dilemma (as Solomon puts it in verse 23) ‘This one says, My son is alive and your son is dead, while that one says, No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’
Many things are like that. This one says, ‘The Bible is true and trustworthy’; that one says, ‘No! It is not’. This one says, ‘There is a God’; that one says, ‘No! There is no God’. This one says, ‘Jesus is just a man’; that one says, ‘No! He is God come in the flesh.’ Obviously arguments need to be probed but sometimes it is very difficult to be sure who is right. We are not and cannot be omniscient.
We begin with the wonderful story found in 1 Kings 3:16-28. It happens in Israel, among the people of God. However, the two main characters are prostitutes. For some reason they have ignored God’s law regarding the sanctity of marriage and, with men who were also willing to ignore the law, had committed sinful acts. One upshot of this is that both become pregnant. Their prostitution is thus put to an end, at least for a time, and they decide to live together, just these two, in the same house, where both have their babies within three days of each other.
Shortly after the happy arrivals, one woman makes the mistake of rolling onto her baby during the night and suffocating it. Whether she was drunk or not we do not know. Aghast at her tragic loss she decides to sneak over to the other bed and exchange babies – her dead one for the still living one. When the other mother wakes the next day she goes to feed what she assumes is her baby only to see that it is dead. On closer inspection she realises that this is not her baby after all. Finding that the living one, her own baby, is with the other woman, she quickly guesses what has happened and they fall into a fierce dispute.
Because no-one else was in the house and the woman who now has the live baby is determined to go on in her lies they are at loggerheads. What can they do? In those days you could go to the elders at the city gate. Perhaps they tried that but got nowhere and so decided to go higher up the judicial ladder. The Supreme Court of the day was the Royal Court, the court of the king himself. We do not know how far from Jerusalem they were or how long they had to wait before they could see the king but eventually they are able to stand before him. In a remarkable example of most profound wisdom Solomon solves their wrangle once and for all – at a stroke, or rather with the mere threat of a stroke.
The story is what we call an epitomising one. It sums up the wisdom of Solomon. It is a carefully chosen example to give you some idea of the depths of his wisdom. We still do this today. Sometimes one telling incident can sum up a person’s character for you. So for example there are many such stories of the great 19th Century preacher C H Spurgeon. You have to be careful, of course, as some are apocryphal. I like the stories of how he dealt with people who claimed to be sinless – rousing them to anger adn so showing their lack of perfection. I also like the story of a madman who came into the vestry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. He shut the door and declared that he had come to cut Spurgeon's throat. "I would not do that," said Spurgeon. "See what a mess it would make on the carpet.""Oh, I never thought of that!" said the man and was quietly led out of the room!
Shortly after the happy arrivals, one woman makes the mistake of rolling onto her baby during the night and suffocating it. Whether she was drunk or not we do not know. Aghast at her tragic loss she decides to sneak over to the other bed and exchange babies – her dead one for the still living one. When the other mother wakes the next day she goes to feed what she assumes is her baby only to see that it is dead. On closer inspection she realises that this is not her baby after all. Finding that the living one, her own baby, is with the other woman, she quickly guesses what has happened and they fall into a fierce dispute.
Because no-one else was in the house and the woman who now has the live baby is determined to go on in her lies they are at loggerheads. What can they do? In those days you could go to the elders at the city gate. Perhaps they tried that but got nowhere and so decided to go higher up the judicial ladder. The Supreme Court of the day was the Royal Court, the court of the king himself. We do not know how far from Jerusalem they were or how long they had to wait before they could see the king but eventually they are able to stand before him. In a remarkable example of most profound wisdom Solomon solves their wrangle once and for all – at a stroke, or rather with the mere threat of a stroke.
The story is what we call an epitomising one. It sums up the wisdom of Solomon. It is a carefully chosen example to give you some idea of the depths of his wisdom. We still do this today. Sometimes one telling incident can sum up a person’s character for you. So for example there are many such stories of the great 19th Century preacher C H Spurgeon. You have to be careful, of course, as some are apocryphal. I like the stories of how he dealt with people who claimed to be sinless – rousing them to anger adn so showing their lack of perfection. I also like the story of a madman who came into the vestry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. He shut the door and declared that he had come to cut Spurgeon's throat. "I would not do that," said Spurgeon. "See what a mess it would make on the carpet.""Oh, I never thought of that!" said the man and was quietly led out of the room!
*
We are still at the beginning of Solomon’s reign over Israel. He is about 20 or 21, still young and inexperienced. He has been given this almost overwhelming commission to lead the people of God as their king and to build a temple to the glory of Almighty God according to the God-given plans provided by his father.
We have looked at the first part of 1 Kings 3 and how God granted him wisdom. Here we consider the last part of the chapter and the epitomising story of how that wisdom manifested itself. In light of this incident, we want to ask three questions.
We have looked at the first part of 1 Kings 3 and how God granted him wisdom. Here we consider the last part of the chapter and the epitomising story of how that wisdom manifested itself. In light of this incident, we want to ask three questions.
Why do we need wisdom?
This is one thing we can explore here. Wisdom, of course, is not the same as knowledge. Wisdom is applying knowledge. It is a little like the difference between learning and teaching, between science and technology – the appliance of science. It is like the difference between a recipe and cooking a cake, an instruction pamphlet from IKEA and the completed kitchen, a sermon and the actual preaching, hearing a sermon and doing it. So why do we need wisdom?
1. Because of our ignorance
The reason this case came before Solomon is because no-one knew exactly what had happened. The one woman who saw what happened was not telling the truth. The woman disputing her claim had worked out the story but she had not actually seen it happen. None of us are God. He alone knows and sees all things. There are many, many things that we have not seen and that we do not know. Because we are so ignorant we need something more than knowledge. We need wisdom. Indeed, one of the first steps to it is to realise how ignorant we are. One of Solomon’s Proverbs (26:12) says ‘Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.’ See also 1 Cor 8:2 ‘The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.’
2. Because of conflicting opinions
There are some people who think they can be wise simply by seeking the opinions of others. Proverbs 19:20 does say ‘Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.’ However, simply listening to the opinions of others is not enough. The writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg is an example of a man who seems to work on this erroneous principle. If you ever listen to his programmes you will notice how his procedure with a subject is to bring in the recognised experts and from them to try and gather the evidence to gain an informed understanding. It seems to be the obvious way forward.
He would get nowhere with these two women, however. He would have them on his programme; he would interview them. He would probe them a bit and maybe he would be more sympathetic to one or the other. It would make an interesting programme, perhaps. The problem, however, would not be solved. Canvassing opinion is all very good but it will not make you wise. This is the dilemma (as Solomon puts it in verse 23) ‘This one says, My son is alive and your son is dead, while that one says, No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’
Many things are like that. This one says, ‘The Bible is true and trustworthy’; that one says, ‘No! It is not’. This one says, ‘There is a God’; that one says, ‘No! There is no God’. This one says, ‘Jesus is just a man’; that one says, ‘No! He is God come in the flesh.’ Obviously arguments need to be probed but sometimes it is very difficult to be sure who is right. We are not and cannot be omniscient.
Weekly Proverb 18
Not a contadiction but a way to respond 26:4, 5 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself comm Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes comm
Here is a classic case of what appears to be a contradiction. However, it is hardly to be believed that the writer did not notice it! Rather these adjacent proverbs bring out both the limitations of any given proverb and the dilemma we face when reasoning with the unreasonable. Sometimes it is better to veer towards the Scylla of simply saying nothing. At other times it is better, indeed necessary, to head toward the Charybdis of reasoning with such people. Part of wisdom is the skilful application of the right method at the right time. On one hand, we want to avoid becoming fools ourselves by answering foolish questions. A Jewish proverb says that when a wise man argues with a fool then two fools are arguing. On the other, sometimes the fool has to be taken on at his own game or he will never see his error. For example, when the so-called Jehovah’s Witness knocks at your door do you spend time speaking to them or not? Pray for wisdom. If we see something blasphemous on television or in the newspaper, should we always respond? How should we deal with people who appear to be wasting our time? Open-air workers are always wrestling with the problem of how to deal with hecklers. Like the Lord Jesus we must avoid using the fool’s methods and repaying insult with insult (see 1 Pet 2:23, 3:9) and we must sometimes answer their foolish questions and accusations with great wisdom (see Matt 12, 15, 21, 22).
Here is a classic case of what appears to be a contradiction. However, it is hardly to be believed that the writer did not notice it! Rather these adjacent proverbs bring out both the limitations of any given proverb and the dilemma we face when reasoning with the unreasonable. Sometimes it is better to veer towards the Scylla of simply saying nothing. At other times it is better, indeed necessary, to head toward the Charybdis of reasoning with such people. Part of wisdom is the skilful application of the right method at the right time. On one hand, we want to avoid becoming fools ourselves by answering foolish questions. A Jewish proverb says that when a wise man argues with a fool then two fools are arguing. On the other, sometimes the fool has to be taken on at his own game or he will never see his error. For example, when the so-called Jehovah’s Witness knocks at your door do you spend time speaking to them or not? Pray for wisdom. If we see something blasphemous on television or in the newspaper, should we always respond? How should we deal with people who appear to be wasting our time? Open-air workers are always wrestling with the problem of how to deal with hecklers. Like the Lord Jesus we must avoid using the fool’s methods and repaying insult with insult (see 1 Pet 2:23, 3:9) and we must sometimes answer their foolish questions and accusations with great wisdom (see Matt 12, 15, 21, 22).
Weekly Proverb 16
By wisdom a house you'll build, by knowledge its rooms are filled Proverbs 23:3, 4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures
This is a very attractive proverb on wisdom, contrasting with the wicked of verse 1 and using the homely figure of a house and its furnishings. It again anticipates Jesus’s parable at the close of the Sermon on the Mount. It can be taken literally or, metaphorically, as referring to a household or dynasty or, best of all, in reference to a life of wisdom.
There are two parts. First, the building and establishing of the house itself, then filling it with rare and beautiful treasures. This powerfully illustrates how wisdom and understanding are gained. For example, growing wise is a long term business. It demands hard work and skill. Planning and careful thought are vital. Perhaps we can think of the whole business as having two aspects. First, there is the work of getting the house up. Certain fundamental things must be understood and established if we are to begin to be wise. Educationists are aware of this. Beyond that, however, there is the filling of the house with treasures. If building a house is a work that takes some time, filling it with rare and beautiful treasures is the work of a lifetime. Further, it is implied that wisdom can provide not only shelter and protection but also comfort and joy. The picture of the man, having built his house and filled it with treasures, sitting back to enjoy them is very seductive. One can pursue the pictures almost endlessly. The thought of the rare and beautiful treasures being damaged because of an unrealised or neglected structural problem comes to mind.
When you meet a person who is able to quote a great writer, tell you an illuminating story or show you the best way of doing something, realise that such treasures were accumulated one by one with patience and proficiency.
In 1901, Flora Kirkland took up the theme of 3 in a hymn. These are some of the verses
This is a very attractive proverb on wisdom, contrasting with the wicked of verse 1 and using the homely figure of a house and its furnishings. It again anticipates Jesus’s parable at the close of the Sermon on the Mount. It can be taken literally or, metaphorically, as referring to a household or dynasty or, best of all, in reference to a life of wisdom.
There are two parts. First, the building and establishing of the house itself, then filling it with rare and beautiful treasures. This powerfully illustrates how wisdom and understanding are gained. For example, growing wise is a long term business. It demands hard work and skill. Planning and careful thought are vital. Perhaps we can think of the whole business as having two aspects. First, there is the work of getting the house up. Certain fundamental things must be understood and established if we are to begin to be wise. Educationists are aware of this. Beyond that, however, there is the filling of the house with treasures. If building a house is a work that takes some time, filling it with rare and beautiful treasures is the work of a lifetime. Further, it is implied that wisdom can provide not only shelter and protection but also comfort and joy. The picture of the man, having built his house and filled it with treasures, sitting back to enjoy them is very seductive. One can pursue the pictures almost endlessly. The thought of the rare and beautiful treasures being damaged because of an unrealised or neglected structural problem comes to mind.
When you meet a person who is able to quote a great writer, tell you an illuminating story or show you the best way of doing something, realise that such treasures were accumulated one by one with patience and proficiency.
In 1901, Flora Kirkland took up the theme of 3 in a hymn. These are some of the verses
Building, daily building, while the moments fly,
We are ever building life work for on high!
Character we’re building, thoughts and actions free
Make for us a building for eternity.
We are ever building life work for on high!
Character we’re building, thoughts and actions free
Make for us a building for eternity.
Choosing, as we labour, what we wish to take,
Oh let us be careful for the Master’s sake!
He will help our labour, he will strength bestow.
Let us choose for Jesus all we use below.
Oh let us be careful for the Master’s sake!
He will help our labour, he will strength bestow.
Let us choose for Jesus all we use below.
May the Lord approve us! ’Tis our earnest prayer.
Oh, to have our building tall, and strong and fair!
Oh, to live for Jesus! Truly every hour,
Building, praying, trusting in his mighty power!
Oh, to have our building tall, and strong and fair!
Oh, to live for Jesus! Truly every hour,
Building, praying, trusting in his mighty power!
Weekly Proverb 03
Pacific Prudence and Big Blurter
12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly
An interesting double contrast proverb. A prudent man has knowledge but willingly keeps it to himself. The heart of fools, however, blurts out what it thinks is knowledge but is really folly. Cf 13:6, 15:2 where a fool exposes his folly and his mouth gushes folly. Wise and foolish differ in style not just content. One is a child emptying the toy box across the floor, the other a craftsman carefully selecting the right tool from his toolbox. Fools are eager to speak first and display their cleverness. They cannot wait to get their facts right or their understanding clear. ‘Empty vessels make the most noise’. Certainly fools are often loudest in proclaiming their folly. Wisdom recognises this and is careful to ignore the hullabaloo surrounding the big noises in this world’s clamour and seeks knowledge from the less publicity conscious.
The prudent willingly take time investigating, weighing things, considering the various angles, even though it means staying silent. Pearls are not for pigs or what is sacred for dogs. Some displays of knowledge are mere self-promotion and revealing certain things too early does more harm than good. Modern sex education is an obvious area where prudence and folly clash. Too many blurt it all out. ‘Nothing can justify speaking contrary to the truth. But we are not always obliged to tell the whole truth.’ (Bridges). Abraham’s dealings with Isaac, Joseph’s with his brothers in Egypt, Esther’s with her king are examples. Perhaps Joseph learned by experience not to blurt out knowledge as he had when younger. Think too how fools rush into print to say Christianity is finished, the Bible is wrong. The prudent willingly wait and have been proved right many times. So it will be to the end. Jesus himself showed such wisdom in his early attempts to secure silence regarding his Messiahship and in how he gradually revealed truth to his disciples. Cf Jn 16:12.
An interesting double contrast proverb. A prudent man has knowledge but willingly keeps it to himself. The heart of fools, however, blurts out what it thinks is knowledge but is really folly. Cf 13:6, 15:2 where a fool exposes his folly and his mouth gushes folly. Wise and foolish differ in style not just content. One is a child emptying the toy box across the floor, the other a craftsman carefully selecting the right tool from his toolbox. Fools are eager to speak first and display their cleverness. They cannot wait to get their facts right or their understanding clear. ‘Empty vessels make the most noise’. Certainly fools are often loudest in proclaiming their folly. Wisdom recognises this and is careful to ignore the hullabaloo surrounding the big noises in this world’s clamour and seeks knowledge from the less publicity conscious.
The prudent willingly take time investigating, weighing things, considering the various angles, even though it means staying silent. Pearls are not for pigs or what is sacred for dogs. Some displays of knowledge are mere self-promotion and revealing certain things too early does more harm than good. Modern sex education is an obvious area where prudence and folly clash. Too many blurt it all out. ‘Nothing can justify speaking contrary to the truth. But we are not always obliged to tell the whole truth.’ (Bridges). Abraham’s dealings with Isaac, Joseph’s with his brothers in Egypt, Esther’s with her king are examples. Perhaps Joseph learned by experience not to blurt out knowledge as he had when younger. Think too how fools rush into print to say Christianity is finished, the Bible is wrong. The prudent willingly wait and have been proved right many times. So it will be to the end. Jesus himself showed such wisdom in his early attempts to secure silence regarding his Messiahship and in how he gradually revealed truth to his disciples. Cf Jn 16:12.
No original ideas
Part of wisdom is to know yourself and one thing I learned about myself years ago was that, as far as I know, I've never had an original idea in my life. Everything I've got I got from other people. (I think I'm good at spotting good ideas, mind, so I'm not doing myself down here). The other day I came across some photographic evidence for this.
I must be three or four here (the blonde - yes, that explains a lot). My cousin Steven is a year older. I've just spotted that this sticking your thumbs in your pockets is the next big thing. (That's my grandmother in the background. We're in a caravan in Porthcawl).
I must be three or four here (the blonde - yes, that explains a lot). My cousin Steven is a year older. I've just spotted that this sticking your thumbs in your pockets is the next big thing. (That's my grandmother in the background. We're in a caravan in Porthcawl).
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