If Ignorance is Bliss, then Wisdom Is…

Solomon can be a bit of a, shall we say, Debbie-downer in Ecclesiastes. Consider: There’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV), Everything is meaningless (1:2 NIV), and I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: the oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them (4:1 NET).

With all the wealth, fame, wisdom and wives, one would expect Solomon to be happy. (Or maybe it was the “too many” wives that contributed to his seemingly foul mood.)

And yet, woven between the verses that acknowledge the difficulties and mundaneness of this life, are truths that point us to God and reveal the contentment that comes from a relationship with Him.

Why? Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Solomon showed his respect (fear) of the Lord when he requested the gift of discernment to lead God’s people, Israel. 

Contrast his desire for discernment and Eve’s in Genesis 3, and you will see that a desire for wisdom in order to serve God and a desire for “wisdom” in order to be like God are two completely different desires. One leads to contentment despite life’s storms and the other leads to discontentment despite life’s blessings.

The question, then, for each of us to ponder is this: as we experience the trials of life, are we increasingly bitter or increasingly content? The answer to this question will shed light on our “fear” of the Lord – or the lack of it.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)

By LaRaine Rice

LaRaine is the Communications Coordinator for Orphan Care Alliance. She has the joy of teaching the 6th grade girls on Sunday morning. Her awesome husband is Jeff, and she is the proud mother of Christopher and Elizabeth.