Patience
and Wisdom are sisters, and walk hand in hand
– and perhaps the theme continues as Solomon reminds of the critical
importance to our well-being, prosperity and even safety of exercising
wisdom in dealing with the affairs of life. Wise decisions make a difference,
and bring tangible benefits. Do we yet value
wisdom highly enough, or is it still merely an interesting academic
concept?
The
wise man, unlike the harassed, proud and exasperated individual in the
previous section, takes conscious charge of his life, examines his options,
makes plans, and takes prudent measures to shelter
himself from the vicissitudes of misfortune.
Having
urged Christians to understand how their patient faith in God may be
tested by various difficulties, James immediately follows up, as if
using this section of Ecclesiastes as a topical outline, with the following
advice, Quote: “If any of you lack wisdom,
he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and ti will be given him” (James 1:5).
As
we begin to become more God-centred in our lives, it is important that
we always act with the patience and caution of wisdom,
rather than rash enthusiasm – a point made by Jesus when he warns
his disciples, Quote: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves”(Matthew
10:16)
In
fact, Jesus may well have Solomon’s statement that wisdom
preserves the life of its possessor in mind when he warns
those who are excited about this fabulous inheritance and the message
of salvation of the need to be very cautious, wise and discerning, in
talking to others about it, saying, Quote: “Do not cast your pearls
before swine, in case you trample them under foot then turn and tear
you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6).
The
inheritance to which Solomon refers may well the one promised
to Christians when Jesus says, Quote: “Blessed are the meek, because
they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew
5:5). This amazing promise to those teachable individuals who have learned
to serve and help other people, rather than Grasping and Getting for
themselves, is repeated later, along with a very sober warning (Matthew
25:34-46).
An
inheritance is given by somebody who has
died, and is received by an inheritor, a new possessor who will likewise
die, sooner or later. Wisdom, however, the True Wisdom that comes down
from heaven, preserves the life of its possessor,
even unto eternal life – in effect by bringing him a second inheritance,
eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
Few
Christians, even in the Early Church, seem to have had more than a glimmer
of the glory of this inheritance, which is why Paul says in his letter
to the Ephsians, apparently written from prison, that, Quote: “I
pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that
you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of this
glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power
for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18).
In
the comment on the previous section, we saw how Paul urged Hebrew Christians
to persevere in their calling – and later in that same epistle
he cites a famous example of a man who failed to value a promised inheritance
from God when he says, Quote: “See that no-one is like Esau, who
for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son”
(Hebrews 12:16).