The Wisdom of Solomon; Chapter 6

[Seeker]

Chapter Six

Kings Should Seek Wisdom

 1  Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
     learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.

 2  Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
     and boast of many nations.

 3  For your dominion was given you from the Lord,
     and your sovereignty from the Most High;
     he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

 4  Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly,
     or keep the law,
     or walk according to the purpose of God,

 5  he will come upon you terribly and swiftly,
     because severe judgment falls on those in high places.

 6  For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy,
     but the mighty will be mightily tested.

 7  For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone,
     or show deference to greatness;
     because he himself made both small and great,
     and he takes thought for all alike.

 8  But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.

 9  To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,
     so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.

 10  For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,
     and those who have been taught them will find a defense.

 11  Therefore set your desire on my words;
     long for them, and you will be instructed.

Description of Wisdom

 12  Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
     and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
     and is found by those who seek her.

 13  She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.

 14  One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
     for she will be found sitting at the gate.

 15  To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding,
     and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,

 16  because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
     and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
     and meets them in every thought.

 17  The beginning of wisdom[a] is the most sincere desire for instruction,
     and concern for instruction is love of her,

 18  and love of her is the keeping of her laws,
     and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,

 19  and immortality brings one near to God;

 20  so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

 21  Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters, O monarchs over the peoples,
     honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever.

 22  I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be,
     and I will hide no secrets from you,
     but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation,
     and make knowledge of her clear,
     and I will not pass by the truth;

 23  nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy,
     for envy does not associate with wisdom.

 24  The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world,
     and a sensible king is the stability of any people.

 25  Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

[a] Gk Her beginning   Gk this  

(NSRV)

"The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1965, 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

[Melody]

1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.

A call to listening & learning. Are we listening? Are we learning?

3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High;

This reminds me of Jesus & Pilate "You would have no power unless it was given to you from above"

3... he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

Yes, our God knows our hearts and our minds. All our thoughts, words, actions & deeds should be clean, pure & holy.

6 For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy, but the mighty will be mightily tested.

This reminds me of the verse "To those who have been given more, more is expected" (sorry not an accurate quote). This would apply to every area of our life - mercy, forgiveness, love, wealth etc etc

7 For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone, or show deference to greatness; because he himself made both small and great, and he takes thought for all alike.

Halleluia, God is a Just & Impartial Judge!

10 For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness, and those who have been taught them will find a defense.

I just have to say this again "they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness". I am off to chapel in a bit, this is my meditation for today.

11 Therefore set your desire on my words; long for them, and you will be instructed.

That's all we have to do to receive instruction from our God - Desire His Words This is again reflected in verses 12 right through to 20. So important is it for us to realise that we should desire from our hearts the Wisdom of the Lord.

And what will Wisdom give us ? - The 'Profit' called eternal life!

25 Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

Blessings,

Melody