Wisdom Beyond Average in Real Life

 

    What is it to be thoughtful obeying God-given authority, a boss, a parent, so on? Well, Solomon in Ecclesiastes 8 brings up if asked, a dilemma. That is namely, pretty much everyone thinks that they are wise, already. Solomon speaks to those who listen, so it is at least someone who might grow wiser. Found in the Old Testament, in Ecclesiastes 8, he asks by the Spirit, ‘who is like the wise person,’ as not a real question: rhetorical. This is like someone today saying ‘do cats meow’ or ‘is rain wet?’ Solomon admits he is not perfect, though is legitimately wise.

    There’s a saying, ‘the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.’ Solomon admits he and others can grow in wisdom. Yes he has experience as a king, as a son to another king before, as a current monarch over Israel the country, yet says greater wisdom than typical is to see: you could be given a lawful commend to do something, you don't agree with too much. A greater than average wisdom can give a prudent response, or obey it at the right time. By it's nature, then a head scratcher like, ‘what are you doing,’ in (8:4) reveals there will be things to disagree with, either in spirit, or if it doesn’t fit your preferences.

    What might be examples for us that give a call to us to greater wisdom? Consider the repeated wisdom of Jonathan the prince against Saul’s his dad and a monarch's odd rules. Likewise, consider Godly Daniel the national bureaucrat, who is with consideration arranging times for the right time to use the rule or God’s way. Or consider Abraham by faith a sojourner who navigates odd, very different societal rules, such as customs, that are not as good as God’s principles. So then, by prudent wisdom, it’s deeper than obvious
This brings out funny and serious cultural reminders we know of in our time. It reminds us of, it brings to mind a pleasant fact: robotic obedience isn't always best. 

    We get it. We are reminded of icons like Gomer Pyle played by actor Jim Nabors. In a famous tv show, Pyle as a fictional soldier famously took orders too literally, unawares from his gunnery sergeant. In an episode trying out being in the Military Police on base his Sergeant tells Pyle to let no one on base without an ID. Well, his own sergeant forgot his ID when heading out. Shortly later on, Pyle wouldn’t let him back in to the base. Likewise in history, another example comes from an instance with a general in the 1800’s who told his troops not to dodge enemy fire behind cover. Why? The enemy couldn’t hit them at that distance he said. He was soon after killed by a sharpshooter, while many of his men who heard his order prudently, lived.

    So then, when it comes to legitimate procedures with authority, and following orders, consider then a right day, right time exists. You'll be allowing God to use you as Salt and Light as a Christ follower applying that. Great examples of thoughtful pause exist. Consider Paul the apostle and his friends on city rules and speaking engagements. Or consider from the Book of Daniel. Daniel is helpful as a model with orders that are not especially wise from an ancient kingdom. Daniel obeyed after seeking God’s wisdom and insight, after a legitimate pause, so he could operate well, about King Nebuchadnezzar and others of his courtroom. As a national kingdom then, it had a reach from Egypt to Afghan, that great size over time had a soft culture influence for generations on global law, on astronomy, on math, art, even the wise men to Jesus’ birthplace. Daniel took what was annoying, or not the best bosses then, and turned it into quite fitting win for the Lord and for moral good.

    In your own experiences, how has the Lord laid on your mind ways that wisdom could guide the best way to carry out good, even if the initial ask, isn't the best? Commit that to the Lord today to honor your calling in Christ Jesus in daily life.