Wisdom

The great 20th century philosopher Peter Kay once said:

'Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad'

Recently, I have been thinking about wisdom, what it is, how we can receive it, how we can grow into it, this quest for wisdom led me to undoubtedly the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon. "At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." 1 kings 3 vs. 5

Instead of asking for wealth, or possessions, Solomon sought the Lord for wisdom. It occurred to me whilst thinking about this passage that Solomon must have been quite young when asking for this wisdom, my thoughts led me to look deeper into this. I found that Solomon was a young man, some say possibly as young as 12 years old, but I am inclined to agree with theologians who say he was 18-20 years old. Solomon himself, say 'I am but a child'.

It strikes me that his request for wisdom was not out of wanting to be the biggest, the best, the wisest, but it was out of a humility of heart that said 'I cannot do this on my own, but need your help Lord.' Wisdom comes from a fear of the Lord, it comes from a reverence of heart that puts God above ourselves, and it comes from seeking first the kingdom of God. In the account of Solomon, God was the gift giver, He is infinitely wise. Wisdom comes from the Lord!