Chapter 4

Solomon is really INTO Wisdom, isn’t he?

Just check out chapter 4. He’s already given us plenty of the benefits of Wisdom, but now he’s going all out!

Verses 3-9 talk about how when Solomon was a boy, his father would tell him to “Sell everything and buy wisdom.” And from there, he tells us the benefits of wisdom, which are:

• Guards your life
• Keeps an eye on you
• Make your life glorious
• Garland your life with grace
• Festoon you with beauty

But that’s not all!

Solomon then outlines a few metaphors of what he is trying to do. Now, this is a poetic technique you find in a few places in the Old Testament – the author tries to say the same phrase in a number of different ways. In this case, it’s Solomon telling the reader that he really wants to help the reader find wisdom – and he then describes his assistance in three or four different ways.

Then we move on to the reverse of wisdom, which (hopefully you’re expecting) is not just mere STUPIDITY.

That’s right – the opposite (see vs 16 – 19 for the contrast) is once again not the stupid person, but he EVIL person.

Of course, it could well be that Solomon saw those two words as so tightly entwined that this discussion would sound nonsensical. Maybe.

Finally, verses 20 – 27 outline instructions on how to go about getting wisdom – “Keep a vigilant watch over your mouth,” “Keep your eyes straight ahead”, “ Watch your step”.

It’s interesting that Solomon sees a need to drum these benefits into us. After all, we all want wisdom, don’t we?

Maybe, or maybe not.

I mean, we SAY we want wisdom; but I can’t help thinking that our behaviour is often more representative of “I want things my own way” rather than “I want wisdom.”
That’s all very well, but often our own way is the path of foolishness rather than wisdom. We want our own way, and we’re prepared to walk roughshod over anyone who gets in the way.

Remember – a fool isn’t just an idiot, a fool may well be someone who is morally bankrupt too. So doing things our own way, never mind the cost, could be described as foolish behaviour.

NOW evaluate your behaviour. How are we doing?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be embarrassed at how often the foolish behaviour crops up.

So Solomon has it right with us – and it’s not much of a stretch to say that he’s got it right for most humans.

So maybe we need this repetition!