and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.
—Ecclesiastes 1:18
—Ecclesiastes 1:18
Why would Solomon write such a thing? After all, the book of Proverbs is devoted to wisdom. Numerous sections of Proverbs encourage the reader to acquire wisdom. From the opening verses of Proverbs to the end, wisdom is to be highly valued. Life will be better with wisdom.
To understand Solomon’s statement about wisdom from Ecclesiastes the broader context must first be understood. He had just declared the purpose of the book and given a preliminary report of his findings.
Solomon was searching for meaning, but he was limited in his search. He was restricted to the physical universe. (See last week’s blog.) Within the limitations of the universe, he explained that he set out “to know wisdom and to know madness and folly.” (1:18) This is a broad description of the breadth of his exploration.
Wisdom includes all that is reasonable; things that make sense. In great contrast, madness and folly are those things that are irrational. The two can be distinguished further.
Madness is intentional irrational thinking and behavior. It is descriptive of David when he was being pursued by King Saul. He hid among the Philistines (Israel’s enemy) where Saul would not search, but he intentionally acted insane so the Philistines would leave him alone.
Folly is irrational thinking and behavior because of ignorance or stupidity. It is descriptive of those who go through life aimlessly. They live carefree following their instinctive nature.
All of Solomon’s exploration fits under the banner of either wisdom or madness & folly. After detailing some of his exploration, he said, “I realized that this also is striving after wind.” This is Solomon’s way of concluding that it was futile or empty.
After this conclusion he explained, “Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.” He could write this only if he grew in wisdom and knowledge. That is to say, Solomon knew what he was talking about.
There is no question but that Solomon valued wisdom. He wrote that “wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” (2:13) Yet, wisdom brought him grief and knowledge brought him (mental/emotional) pain. Why?
His wisdom and knowledge brought him to the realization that life is full of inequities. In other words, life is not fair. There are many injustices.
In man’s search for meaning, he has always been concerned with justice. Yet, there are many things in life that are unjust:
To understand Solomon’s statement about wisdom from Ecclesiastes the broader context must first be understood. He had just declared the purpose of the book and given a preliminary report of his findings.
Solomon was searching for meaning, but he was limited in his search. He was restricted to the physical universe. (See last week’s blog.) Within the limitations of the universe, he explained that he set out “to know wisdom and to know madness and folly.” (1:18) This is a broad description of the breadth of his exploration.
Wisdom includes all that is reasonable; things that make sense. In great contrast, madness and folly are those things that are irrational. The two can be distinguished further.
Madness is intentional irrational thinking and behavior. It is descriptive of David when he was being pursued by King Saul. He hid among the Philistines (Israel’s enemy) where Saul would not search, but he intentionally acted insane so the Philistines would leave him alone.
Folly is irrational thinking and behavior because of ignorance or stupidity. It is descriptive of those who go through life aimlessly. They live carefree following their instinctive nature.
All of Solomon’s exploration fits under the banner of either wisdom or madness & folly. After detailing some of his exploration, he said, “I realized that this also is striving after wind.” This is Solomon’s way of concluding that it was futile or empty.
After this conclusion he explained, “Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.” He could write this only if he grew in wisdom and knowledge. That is to say, Solomon knew what he was talking about.
There is no question but that Solomon valued wisdom. He wrote that “wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” (2:13) Yet, wisdom brought him grief and knowledge brought him (mental/emotional) pain. Why?
His wisdom and knowledge brought him to the realization that life is full of inequities. In other words, life is not fair. There are many injustices.
In man’s search for meaning, he has always been concerned with justice. Yet, there are many things in life that are unjust:
- Children die young.
- Some who are wealthy hoard their wealth.
- Honorable people are treated with dishonor.
- Evil people succeed; good people fail.
So, one reason for the grief and pain from wisdom and knowledge is the brutal reality of life’s injustices. In his search for meaning, Solomon kept finding injustices. We live in a world where those without God in their life live by their own sense of justice. And yet, there can be no justice where there is ethical and moral subjectivity. There is no justice when man is making it up!
So, is there justice? Absolutely! Yes!
But you cannot find it within the limitations of the created universe.
Mark Stinnett
So, is there justice? Absolutely! Yes!
But you cannot find it within the limitations of the created universe.
Mark Stinnett
July 23, 2023
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