1 Kings 4:29-34 (NRSV)
God gave Solomon wisdom
God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, children of Mahol; his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He would speak of trees, from the cedar that is in the Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the wall; he would speak of animals, and birds, and reptiles, and fish. People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon; they came from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.
Reflection
God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, children of Mahol; his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He would speak of trees, from the cedar that is in the Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the wall; he would speak of animals, and birds, and reptiles, and fish. People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon; they came from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.
Reflection
God gave Solomon wisdom, a broad wisdom, a largeness of mind. All people are showered with gifts from God. We are blessed with talents and abilities that God gives to each one of us. And God chooses for us to put these gifts and talents to use to bring glory to God. Sometimes this happens and God is glorified. At other times people become selfish with the gifts God gives and use them to their own advantage only thinking that they can glorify themselves. This may or may not happen. Sometimes this type of action ends in tragedy.
We can't depend on ourselves alone. We need God. If we selfishly use the gifts God gives us for ourselves alone we will soon find out that we need the help of another to survive.Solomon had the gift of wisdom which carried a wide swath of what is needed to live life with God, but it's not all that is needed. Solomon still depended on God for many other things.
If we view our gifts as an instrument in the orchestra, we see how we need to be there with our gifts, giving glory to God, combined with the gifts of other's to really offer a wonderful gift to God. We need the other members of the orchestra and they need us. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, I give you thanks for all your blessings. May I use your blessings to return praise to you. May I use your blessing to give joy to another. May I use your blessings and combine them with the blessings of your children that together you may be filled with joy as we return your gifts in praise and glory to you...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen
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