Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”
Solomon's prayer from First Kings is also recounted in the Book of Wisdom, purportedly written by him:
Give me Wisdom, the consort at your throne, and do not reject me from among your children. For I am your servant, the child of your maidservant, a man weak and short-lived and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws...
There is knowledge, intelligence, information and data. There is acumen, craftiness, smarts, and know-how. And then there is wisdom. Today's societies commit enormous amounts of energy to scientifically gather data about everything that exists. National governments are especially dedicated to discovering what their enemies are up to; but many corporations also have offices eagerly scoping out their rivals and trying to get the jump on them. They collect the data, but do they have the wisdom?
Wisdom knows what data cannot reveal, especially that one's enemies will be one's friends someday. And today's friends might soon be enemies. Diplomats know that, as they negotiate with a nation's frenemies. They must urge the politicians who negotiate with other nations to keep a wary eye on their friends and a friendly concern for their enemies. Things can change in the twinkling of an eye.
Many people also cultivate awareness. Support groups encourage meditation and mindfulness; others practice yoga and awareness of the body. Back in the 1970's "sensitivity training" was all the rage on college campuses as students practiced non-judgement and receptivity toward one another. But awareness of one's position, feelings, surroundings, and relationships must be informed by history. And history is never complete, for every story begins in the remote past.
Wisdom -- which knows what to say and when to say it; and what to do and when to do it -- comes from God. The Divine Author of the Book of Wisdom admired the young king Solomon who showed great promise as he vigorously governed Jerusalem and guided its development. Under his guidance David's backward city became the capital of a small but significant kingdom. The Author also remembered the aging Solomon's foolish policies as his avarice overruled his obedience before God.
If teachers, tutors, and mentors have ways to drill knowledge into student heads, they cannot force wisdom upon them. That comes from God and is given only to the receptive. Wisdom is more than a diplomat's skill in dealing with an enemy, it also recognizes the frustrations of the same diplomat's spouse, child, or parent. It remembers one's ignorance, lack of ability, and inexperience. It laughs at one's own foolishness.
We ask God for wisdom even as we collect data and learn from experience. We ask God to guide us, protect us, cover our mistakes, excuse our misdeeds, and give others forbearance as they deal with us. Wisdom is another name for the Holy Spirit, who's got the whole world in his hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.