Ecc. 1: Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 1:9 "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

Wow, what a bleak chapter.

The teacher who was king, who I assume is Solomon, who was blessed with great wisdom and commanded the acquisition of wisdom in Proverbs, now considers its pursuit meaningless.

This idea likely comes from the idea repeated in scripture that a man's life, even the most powerful man's life, is but a vapor. It's just a brief moment in time. And the universe continues on, doing it's thing. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows back and forth, and the streams and rivers flow, in an eternal cycle. The universe completely forgets the generations of people who were here in the past, and will forget those who are yet to come. In spite of continued ideas of what we consider innovation, there is nothing new under the sun. Whatever can be seen has been. Whatever can be done has been.

So how does the one man given ultimate human wisdom now consider it's pursuit chasing after the wind? Is it sort of a "careful what you wish for" situation? Too much of a good thing? Wisdom in Proverbs was compared to honey, but even a full person is grossed out by honey.

Maybe its how the wisdom is used. Maybe its outside of a life devoted to God.

2 Ch. 1: Solomon's in Charge

2 Chronicles 1:15 "The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills."

This is the story of where Solomon asks God for wisdom, and then God grants it to him, and then some. A similar narrative to that of 1 Kings 3 (entry).

Its interesting that Solomon is described as walking according to that statutes set forth by David, but Solomon continues to use the high places. And God still speaks to Solomon, and is willing to come to him in spite of this. And what was wrong with the multiple high places? Couldn't it be like, Temple of God: Gibeon campus...and so on? Did it give the appearance that there was more than one God?

Solomon is given incredible wealth and wisdom, and it is described fairly well here in 2 Chronicles 1. But I can't get over the description in verse 15. He made silver and gold as common as stones. Can you imagine? Not being able to walk down the street without tripping over gold nuggets? Had to be an amazing time to be an Israelite. But my mind, with it's rudimentary understanding of economics, realizes that with an increased supply comes decreased demand, and a devaluing of the ... gold. Is it cynical to think that this is an allegory for the dissatisfaction with physical riches? Or is it a wondrous description of the wealth God chooses to bestow on those who love Him and keep His commands?

1 Ki. 4: Our Man Solomon

1 Kings 4:9 "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore."

Solomon is like no other man that ever was. The way his wisdom is described here is nothing short of amazing. He just knew stuff. Did he learn things, or did God reveal things to him? It says he taught about reptiles and fish and birds and hyssop and stuff. I don't believe he had a lab or something, but I believe he paid close attention to his surroundings. I imagine it was a little of both. He probably learned as he went. His asking God for wisdom in the previous chapter was in itself deeply wise. The wisdom God granted to him was probably far beyond any wisdom he would have expected or asked. He came from just wanting to be able to his job, to teaching men of other nations...wise...things.

What wise things? That's what boggles my mind about this chapter. What exactly did they discuss? What would it have been like to listen to Solomon? What did his people know about his wisdom and the nature of it? Did they realize what a gift they were given by God's gift of wisdom to Solomon? So, in a way, God's gift to Solomon was a gift to all of His people. What gifts do I have that are gifts to you? Makes me wonder. And are we thankful or jealous of other people's gifts?

A knowledge as broad and unmeasurable as the sand on the seashore...seems a bit overwhelming. I'd be interested at first...but I wonder if there's such a thing as too much knowledge? What responsibility goes with that?

1 Ki. 3: Wise Acres

1 Kings 3:13 "Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."

This doesn't start out so good for Solomon. He aligns himself with the king of Egypt, and hooks up with his daughter. It has been pretty consistent throughout mentions of the covenant that Egypt is known as Israel's enslavers. Marrying into other races has proven itself to be a stumbling block. So we'll see. I don't like this.

But then Solomon tries to show his devotion by offering a whopping 1000 sacrifices. Can you imagine? How well did the priests eat that...month?

So God comes at night in a dream and asks Solomon to ask for anything. And we'd all have our answers, but Solomon, simply, just wants to know how to do his job. He wasn't really in any sort of big-time leadership position, and here he was, now the king. A daunting job. He wants to just do his job right, which I find amazing. No where did he mention great wealth or long life, but God goes ahead and gives that to him anyway. Which makes me wonder...if we humble ourselves and ask for simple things, will God grant more amazing things that we wouldn't have even thought of?

Solomon gets to put his wisdom to test right away, as two prostitutes bring in a baby, each claiming to be his mother. Apparently one mother suffocated her infant during the night, and switched him with the other mother's. Which takes some kind of balls. Only the threat of death brings the true mother to light. As Solomon raises a sword to cut the baby in two, she relents from her plea, and would give up her son so that he would live. The other was rather cold about it. And this was amazing to those in Solomon's court. What a genius idea to solve a problem.