Reading: Ecclesiastes 1, 2
My Verse: "For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Ecclesiastes 1:18).
This verse at first reading seems inaccurate! Aren't we to seek knowledge and wisdom? What is Solomon speaking here? How is it that more wisdom and more knowledge leads to "much vexation" and "increases sorrow?"
The English Standard Version Bible has a footnote on this verse that states. "Wisdom is a mixed blessing; to gain wisdom and understanding is to get a clearer view into the tragedies of life in a world marred by sin."
Also there are many kinds of wisdom and knowledge - some we want no part of because they are not of You, LORD God. You warned us from the very beginning that we were not to partake of "the tree of knowledge of good and evil."
Again, I like how the ESV study notes explains this.
"While God generously permitted the man to eat from every tree of the garden, God prohibited him from eating from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (The note goes on to say that by the eating of it they Adam and Eve would come to know good and evil by experience.) Experience gained by "fearing the LORD" (Prov. 1:7) is wisdom, while that gained by disobeying God is slavery."
There are many good things to know and there are many bad things. Some purport that all experiences are good for one - that one is broadened in one's understanding. And yet, You LORD God, teach us throughout the Bible that we are to seek You and Your holy knowledge. (James 1:5) We are to avoid all that is evil - not of You, LORD God! (I Thessalonians 5:22)
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde portrays this truth all too well. All evil knowledge only destroys us. It may not be obvious on the outside for a while but eventually, if we do not turn away from it, the visage begins to show the awful destructive work of evil knowledge.
I have even heard some ask, "How is one to know what is right?" You are very clear about what is right in Your Word, LORD God.
"The law of the LORD is perfect.
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold.
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings from the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10).
Poor Solomon started off so incredibly well! You, LORD God, blessed him beyond measure. And yet, he made the pursuit of knowledge and experience his primary goal in life. He did not discern between the kinds of experiences he delved into. Many of the things he did were outrightly disobedient to You and Your precepts!
He finally came to realize that even wisdom, when it replaces you becomes destructive. It is a mere chasing after the wind! "So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it" (Ecclesiastes 2:17).
It is knowledge of You that we can never have too much of! "Seek ye first the kingdom of God"(Matthew 6:33).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Ecclesiastes 1:18).
This verse at first reading seems inaccurate! Aren't we to seek knowledge and wisdom? What is Solomon speaking here? How is it that more wisdom and more knowledge leads to "much vexation" and "increases sorrow?"
The English Standard Version Bible has a footnote on this verse that states. "Wisdom is a mixed blessing; to gain wisdom and understanding is to get a clearer view into the tragedies of life in a world marred by sin."
Also there are many kinds of wisdom and knowledge - some we want no part of because they are not of You, LORD God. You warned us from the very beginning that we were not to partake of "the tree of knowledge of good and evil."
Again, I like how the ESV study notes explains this.
"While God generously permitted the man to eat from every tree of the garden, God prohibited him from eating from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (The note goes on to say that by the eating of it they Adam and Eve would come to know good and evil by experience.) Experience gained by "fearing the LORD" (Prov. 1:7) is wisdom, while that gained by disobeying God is slavery."
There are many good things to know and there are many bad things. Some purport that all experiences are good for one - that one is broadened in one's understanding. And yet, You LORD God, teach us throughout the Bible that we are to seek You and Your holy knowledge. (James 1:5) We are to avoid all that is evil - not of You, LORD God! (I Thessalonians 5:22)
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde portrays this truth all too well. All evil knowledge only destroys us. It may not be obvious on the outside for a while but eventually, if we do not turn away from it, the visage begins to show the awful destructive work of evil knowledge.
I have even heard some ask, "How is one to know what is right?" You are very clear about what is right in Your Word, LORD God.
"The law of the LORD is perfect.
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold.
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings from the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10).
Poor Solomon started off so incredibly well! You, LORD God, blessed him beyond measure. And yet, he made the pursuit of knowledge and experience his primary goal in life. He did not discern between the kinds of experiences he delved into. Many of the things he did were outrightly disobedient to You and Your precepts!
He finally came to realize that even wisdom, when it replaces you becomes destructive. It is a mere chasing after the wind! "So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it" (Ecclesiastes 2:17).
It is knowledge of You that we can never have too much of! "Seek ye first the kingdom of God"(Matthew 6:33).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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