1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Did Solomon .....

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by ktn4eg, Oct 13, 2014.

  1. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2004
    Messages:
    3,517
    Likes Received:
    4
    ....regret asking for wisdom?

    Very early in his reign, Solomon asked God to give him wisdom (see I Kings 3:9-12).

    However, towards the end of his life, Solomon appears to regret the fact that he had wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:17-18).

    Thus, the question arises: Did Solomon regret his request for wisdom?

    What do you think about this?
     
  2. PreachTony

    PreachTony Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2014
    Messages:
    1,910
    Likes Received:
    2
    My Sunday School class is currently studying Ecclesiastes. We've lately been discussing the "pessimism" that is seeming 'inherent' to the book. I argued that it is pessimistic from the viewpoint of the world. But to us, it need not be seen in that light. Solomon is relating to the reader that having much wisdom opens a person to greater insight about the world around them.

    Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes 6 really drive this point home. Once your mind is open to a greater understanding, you realize that, in a worldly sense, nothing really matters. In chapter 6, Solomon states that all the labor of man is for his mouth, yet the appetite is never filled. Everything we try to do for ourselves will eventually come to nothing, as we (in the body) are as temporary as the things of the world (do not all go to one place [death])? But man is seemingly readily given to continual carnal and secular pursuits.

    Paul uses similar language in his letter to the Ephesians, talking about people "whose end is destruction; whose god is their belly; whose glory is their shame; who mind earthly things." Paul goes a step further, having a knowledge Solomon could not fully comprehend of things to come, by saying that these very people are "enemies of the cross of Christ." Solomon, I believe, knew that a Messiah would come, but he did not know all the travail and agony that Christ would go through. While Paul recognized these carnal pursuits as being enemies of the cross, Solomon could only see them as vanity, as meaningless to the pursuit of a spiritual life and walk with God.

    We have to realize that, on this side of the grave, we're always going to have to take the good with the bad, the happy with the sorrow. I believe Solomon recognized that fact, and was at peace with his choice. But that's just me.
     
Loading...