Sat, 22 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
Solomon tells us that under the sun, apart from God, wisdom is despised.
What do we learn from this?
Wisdom is powerful. Solomon tells us of an example where the wisdom of an obscure, poor man was more powerful than a king with an army. In other words, wisdom, rightly applied, can defeat a vastly superior force.
Yet the people don’t realize the value of wisdom, and they despised the poor man.
Why isn’t true wisdom appreciated by the world? If true wisdom knows what is best for all parties concerned, people reject it because they are only interested in what is best for themselves. If true wisdom doesn’t accumulate power to itself and abuse privilege, then people reject it because they want power over others.
If true wisdom is to fear God, then people will reject it because they reject God.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of true wisdom that is rejected by the world. He came into the world, calling people to repentance and faith, offering salvation to those who would admit their sin and weakness and cry out for help. Yet the world rejected His wisdom, to the extent that they crucified Him, ironically bringing about the very salvation they rejected. For it is in His death that He paid the penalty for the sins of all those who come to Him in faith.
