God gave Solomon a gift. It’s recorded in I Kings 3:7-13. Solomon begins, “And now, O Lord my God…” Solomon is a child when he replaces David as King of Israel. He asks God for an understanding heart with which to judge the people. God is so impressed that he responds by giving him a wise and understanding heart. Not just any old wise and understanding heart but one that would be like no other’s either before or after him. Solomon belongs to a party of one. That’s why it matters what he says.
Solomon knows a lot. We can gain from him by learning from his experiences. Some will tell you that experience is a better teacher. There is a modicum of truth in that; but who wants to touch a hot stove to see if you’ll get burnt? Wouldn’t it be better if you learned from someone else’s experience? That’s what the Bible does for us. We learn from others before us.
Solomon is credited with three books of the Bible: Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is the one that is being covered in our current sermons. The first chapter opens with the Preacher stating that all is vanity (verse 2). It’s a discouraging statement followed with the passing of generations; one dying off and the other one taking over, the monotony of nature, and the seemingly relentlessness of everything.
Solomon goes on to say that he gave his heart to find the purpose of life. He also says he gave his heart to know wisdom, and to know madness (foolish or dangerous thinking) and folly (the Biblical definition is someone who lacks the proper fear or respect for God). One note, the Biblical definition may be what Solomon meant but he doesn’t come out and say it. Folly can also mean lack of good sense.
What we do know is what Solomon’s conclusion was. Pastor Josh began this series with the ending first. We heard it in the sermon last week. It’s Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Solomon knows a lot. We can gain from him by learning from his experiences. Some will tell you that experience is a better teacher. There is a modicum of truth in that; but who wants to touch a hot stove to see if you’ll get burnt? Wouldn’t it be better if you learned from someone else’s experience? That’s what the Bible does for us. We learn from others before us.
Solomon is credited with three books of the Bible: Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is the one that is being covered in our current sermons. The first chapter opens with the Preacher stating that all is vanity (verse 2). It’s a discouraging statement followed with the passing of generations; one dying off and the other one taking over, the monotony of nature, and the seemingly relentlessness of everything.
Solomon goes on to say that he gave his heart to find the purpose of life. He also says he gave his heart to know wisdom, and to know madness (foolish or dangerous thinking) and folly (the Biblical definition is someone who lacks the proper fear or respect for God). One note, the Biblical definition may be what Solomon meant but he doesn’t come out and say it. Folly can also mean lack of good sense.
What we do know is what Solomon’s conclusion was. Pastor Josh began this series with the ending first. We heard it in the sermon last week. It’s Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
