Excerpt
Wisdom 52
1WisdomHow much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. —Proverbs 16:16
There is a common concept in information technology circles called the knowledge half-life. Though it has never been proven scientifically, it is often asserted that the world knowledge doubled approximately every one hundred years up to 1900. Advances in technology and science accelerated it, so by the end of World War II, human knowledge may have doubled every twenty-five years. By the 1980s, that time could have been halved, doubling every twelve to thirteen years. Some experts estimated that by 2020 human knowledge would double every twelve hours! Pause to consider this staggering possibility that between dinner and breakfast, the world’s database could have doubled. And with AI, our information overload could double between cups of coffee.
Despite this dizzying increase in knowledge, are we any wiser? It feels like the more we know, the less well we live. Google News leaves us shaking our heads, uttering words like “Unbelievable,” “Shameful,” or, perhaps less generously, “Idiots.”
There seems to be an inverse ratio between knowledge and wisdom. The more information we have, the more foolish we seem to become.
Knowledge Isn’t EnoughSolomon’s exhortation is more relevant today than ever: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (Proverbs 4:7). The value of wisdom has always been high: “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (16:16). We could upgrade Solomon’s gold and silver to plutonium since wisdom is so rare these days.
Biblical wisdom is not mere knowledge but the ability to live skillfully. Biblically, a warrior’s skill with the sword, a carpenter’s skill with a saw, and a chef’s ability to combine ingredients thoughtfully are all considered wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge practically and skillfully applied to improve life for yourself and others.
Moses captured this idea in Deuteronomy 4:6: “Keep [God’s laws] and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples.” Jesus suggested the same thing in Matthew 11:19: “Wisdom is justified by her deeds.” The apostle Paul echoed their sentiment: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5).
The purpose of this book is to provide not theoretical truth but practical coaching. I plead with you as Solomon pleaded with his son: “Get wisdom.” Chase her, embrace her, and treasure her. Only wisdom employed will be wisdom enjoyed. The life you want is on the other side of obedience to God’s truth.
The Failure of WisdomImagine inheriting this great kingdom—and losing it in a single decision. As the crown settled on his brow, Rehoboam inherited the nation’s most robust economy and expansive borders. His father, Solomon, had gained international acclaim and accumulated wealth that was surpassed only by the number of his wives—seven hundred in total, along with an inexplicable addition of three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Excessive, to say the least.
When Solomon passed, Rehoboam took his mantle of leadership. One would think he would have been well equipped. His grandfather, David, was the shepherd-king who established the dynasty. Rehoboam’s father, Solomon, had written an entire book of wisdom—yes, to Rehoboam. Twenty-two times, the book of Proverbs uses the words “my son.” Rehoboam had a manual of wisdom in his hands, wind at his back, and a legacy under his feet.
Nonetheless, his first act as king was to play the fool. The story is told in 1 Kings 12. A crowd flocked to his coronation, led by a rebel named Jeroboam. Their request was simple: “Lighten our tax burden.” The magnificence of Solomon’s kingdom had come at a heavy price. They begged for relief. At the outset of his rule, Rehoboam had a choice: Show the people kindness, which could be interpreted as weakness, or show them strength, which could be interpreted as cruelty. Two sets of advisers weighed in. The young bucks advised him to show strength: “You say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs’ ” (verse 10). Translation: Ancient Near Eastern middle finger. The elders’ advice was the opposite—show humility: “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them . . . then they will be your servants forever” (verse 7).
The elders’ counsel was spurned. Rehoboam chose to flex. As a result, the ten northern tribes made Jeroboam, the opposition leader, their king, and the twelve tribes were torn apart, never to be restored. This raises the question, How could the son of the wisest man in the world be so foolish? Hold that thought
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is
always praised. In Ecclesiastes, however, Solomon portrayed wisdom mostly as a burden. In chapter 1, he lamented,
I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. (verses 16–18)
Why such a different view of wisdom? Solomon gave us a clue in chapter 2: “I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity” (verses 18–19).
Solomon knew the immense weight and complexity of leadership that awaited Rehoboam, and it vexed him. Additionally, when you trace the contours of Ecclesiastes, you see that Solomon applied his wisdom to his political career, not to his personal life. The wisdom Solomon sought from God was specifically to lead the nation: “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9).
Solomon led the nation well, but he failed to lead his family. “For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4). That’s a problem. Solomon’s wives led him astray, and Rehoboam grew up with a front-row seat. Here’s an unalterable rule for wisdom: Your children won’t do as you say; they will do as you do.
Why did Solomon fail as a father? While this isn’t an excuse, it is an explanation—David failed Solomon as a father. Though Solomon was a legitimate son, his mother’s marriage wasn’t. Solomon’s family of origin taught him to mistreat women. He took his father’s sexual exploits to an exponential level. And it wasn’t just Solomon. His older brother Absalom attempted a military coup against David. David
loved Absalom. Everyone knew it, except Absalom.
Why was David unable to express his love to Absalom? Well, that goes back to Jesse, David’s dad. When God sent Samuel to Jesse’s home to anoint the new king, Jesse put seven sons before him (1 Samuel 16:1–13). None of them got the nod from God. Samuel had to ask, “Do you have another son?”
“Yes,” Jesse demurred, “but he’s out in the field watching the sheep.”
What? How could he overlook one of his sons? This lineage is a warning. Wisdom is passed from father to son through actions, not words. So, for the sake of generations to come, the call of this chapter is simple: Get wisdom by living wisely, starting in your home.
Wisdom in ActionWhere do we start to acquire wisdom? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Plead with God to give you wisdom through this yearlong journey.
Perhaps your parents, regardless of your age, are an important source of wisdom in your life, or maybe God has given you other parental figures to fill that role. Pull out your phone, start a text to a parent or parental figure, and insert this into the text box: “I’m reading a book about wisdom this year. Can I ask your advice over the next twelve months about important life questions?” Press Send.
