Who is the smartest person you know? That’s a tough question, isn’t it? If you asked someone in grade school, they would likely say that it is their teacher. If you ask a five year old it is likely Mom or Dad. If you are older, you might pick some scientist who has done groundbreaking research in genetics or came up with the plan to put the latest explorer vehicle on Mars.
A tougher question is this – who is or was the wisest person in the world? If one does an intranet search on the subject, you find names mentioned like the philosophers Aristotle and Plato, or men like Ben Franklin or Confucius. Who can question the age tested wisdom of old Ben’s maxims. ‘A penny saved is a penny earned.” “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
One name that comes up is one we might not think of at first. It is the name of a man who lived several thousand years ago. Yet, he is still known for his amazing wisdom. His name is Solomon. Solomon was the third monarch of the nation of Israel. He followed his father, David, who was famous in his own right.
Shortly after Solomon became king the Lord came to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted, anything at all. Solomon could have asked for wealth, victory over his enemies, peace for his nation. Instead Solomon asked for wisdom.
“O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (I Kings 3:7-9).
God gave Solomon what he asked for. Listen to what the God says in I Kings. "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand of the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man....(4:29-31)."
God blessed Solomon with wisdom and because he made a choice pleasing to God, God blessed Solomon with great wealth, prosperity, and peace as well.
The wisdom Solomon possessed was not just his ability to know what to do, to solve problems, and make good decisions. Solomon’s wisdom went beyond that. He rightly says in the book of Proverbs, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov 9:10).
The greatest wisdom one can possess is knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Such wisdom understands that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves. Doing good works can never make up for our sins. True wisdom come from God through the Holy Spirit. True wisdom looks to the cross and the Savior for salvation.
Who is the wisest person you know? It is one who knows and trusts in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin. It may be someone who became a champion on Jeopardy or one who never finished grade school. It may be a seasoned senior citizen who has lived a long life in the service of the Lord or the small child who sings, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”
Like Jesus says, “The wise men builds his house on the rock” (Mt 7:24). That ‘rock’ is Jesus and all he stands for. Seek such wisdom. It is found in God’s Word. Pray for such wisdom. The Holy Spirit will give it to you. Treasurer such wisdom and you will be blessed now and forever more.