Grief in Wisdom??

In much wisdom there is much grief, 

and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.
—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:

• 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

July 23, 2023

Why Some Believers Hate God

Who in their right mind would be filled with rage against God?

The atheist would not rage against God; he doesn’t believe in God. So, this question must be directed to those who claim some degree of faith in or acceptance of God. So, who in their right mind would be filled with rage against God?

Isn’t it God who created the world?
Isn’t it God who created mankind?
Isn’t it God who breathed life into living things?
Isn’t it God who makes the sun shine and the rain fall on all men?

Who would rage against God . . . ?

   The foolishness of man subverts his way,
   And his heart rages against the LORD.
   --Proverbs 19:3

Here are a few important words in this proverb:

Foolishness - This describes the way of the fool first seen in Proverbs 1:7 who lacks understanding and discernment. He does not consider the consequences of his choices.

Subvert - means to twist or pervert.

His way - refers to one’s “way of life”; how a person thinks and conducts himself in general.

Rage - This anger word refers to an ongoing anger that affects one’s disposition (not just a flash of anger); vexation.

The proverb describes believers of our day who are filled with anger when they hear that God does not approve of their way of life. They are the sexually immoral who insist that the Bible does not condemn their lifestyle. They are the individuals who stand against anyone who would have the audacity to speak against their behavior. “Do not judge me,” they cry. They are the ones who cannot allow for biblical truth to contradict their established conclusions about life.

They are people who want to claim a belief in God, yet they discredit the simple teachings of the Bible. There seems to be something about God that appeals to them (perhaps, mercy and grace), however they have no intention of changing their thinking and behavior from their current way of life.

Because they lack understanding and discernment they have twisted the path of life on which they walk. They lack true knowledge of God. So, when they are confronted with the glaring reality of God’s unchangeable holiness, they refuse to accept the reality of their sin. Then, as a result, they lash out in rage against God.

It would seem that Solomon wrote this proverb for our day. It gives us insight into the mind of many in our society today who claim to be religious, even claim to believe in Christ, yet refuse God's divine revelation of scripture.

Be on guard. Do not let the foolishness of our age twist your way. Do not be influenced by those who rage against God!

Be wise.

Untouchable?

Have you ever thought, “It won’t happen to me.” Perhaps that was not your exact thought, but other folks (parents) seem a little overprotective or overly cautious. It is not that you are unaware of dangers in life. In fact, you are aware, keenly aware. You are quite certain that you will not make the same foolish mistakes that others make. You would not take a risk that you knew could really harm you.
"It won’t happen to me."

Some folks have overestimated their physical abilities; underestimated the power of the forces of nature (wind, water, lightening, etc.); or have possibly ignored cold hard facts. Many have taken risks without thinking things through. Are you the type of person who looks ahead and thinks about the future? Do you stop and think about the natural consequences of your choices?

Parents worry about kids. They do not want them to be hurt. They are especially mindful of negative influences in our present society. It is common for kids to think that they can hang with questionable friends and remain unaffected. When you talk to them, they sound as if they are untouchable. Many believe that they will be the good influence on their friends. Their friends will not influence them negatively.

Kids (and many adults) think they can walk with the 'fun' crowd or the rowdy group yet not be influenced by them. They believe they can engage in all sorts of activities and entertainment without being affected by the violence, sex, and illegal or immoral behavior. They have no intention of doing anything wrong themselves, yet they laugh at drunkenness, accept homosexuality as normal, think of faith in God as blind faith or superstition. The friend or movie star with no conscience is idolized.

Among 'friends' sin is funny or inviting or normal or just another point of view. So..."It's OK. I'm not going to get into any of that kind of stuff. We're just friends having fun." Untouchable.

Solomon had a word for the kind of thinking that accepts everyone and everything as if it is all OK: folly. He also had a word for the ‘open-minded’ person who lacks caution (discretion) and does not make wise choices (lacks discernment): fool.

Solomon warned that a person would be better off meeting up with an angry violent mama bear that had been robbed of her cubs, than to meet up with a fool in his folly.

Is anyone so strong that he/she can associate with fools and their folly and come away ‘untouched’? 
Only the fool would think so.

   Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
   Rather than a fool in his folly.
   --Proverbs 17:12

Life really doesn't care who you are or what you plan for the future. Do not run with fools; do not participate in folly...not even for a day! You are not untouchable!

Be wise.

An Open-Minded Woman

   The wise woman builds her house, 
   But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
                                                      --Proverbs 14:1

The word foolish is connected with several ideas in the Proverbs: lack of discernment, empty-headedness, lack of discretion, and naiveté.

The woman described here does not take care of her house, that is, her household. She shames her children and her husband by her behavior. She lacks self-control in her speech: gossip, busybody, talebearer. She is a procrastinator. She is filled with indecision because she lacks wisdom. She is primarily interested in herself. Things must always go her way. She is the opposite of the industrious woman of good character in Proverbs 31.

Foolishness is the result of being naïve or simple minded. You might say that she is open-minded but in a negative sense; gullible. She cannot discern situations properly and often wanders in the wrong direction making poor decisions.

   The naïve inherit folly,
   But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
                                                   --Proverbs 14:18

The ‘foolish’ woman is not foolish because she tears her house down; that is the result. She destroys her house with her own hands because she is foolish.

Be wise . . . and build.