What Wisdom can Man Learn?
Popularity disappears like the afternoon sky. Beauty fades as a mist.
The efforts of today will be duplcated tomorrow, and nothing new arrives. Endeavor only multiplies as echos down a corridor.
Man is born and destined to die, then be judged. What wisdom can he learn through his frail sojourn?
There are kernels in most lives that seek to sprout purpose. What is it about purpose that defines and drives a life? Is he a fool, a person who chooses to live life without a higher purpose?
The Old Testament wisdom book, Ecclesiastes, is authored by a king of immense wealth and untold influence. He presided over arguably the largest ancient empire up to its time.
King Solomon (who knew the gift of wisdom) was indeed consumed with the fruitlessness to life - he called this a chasing after the wind.
Life's purpose is so commonly assessed in pennies, popularity or power.
What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight. (Luke 16:15c)
So how would God express life's purposes? What does God value? What yardstick could God raise?
Two centuries after Solomon, Isaiah (that prophet for 'all seasons') highlights God's priorities very well:
I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line ... (Isaiah 28:17a)
Justice and righteousness are God's canon of purpose. God measures life by what we gave and not by what we got.
Father, may Your values and virtues I wear. lest I chase after the meaningless. AMEN
## It is interesting to note that Solomon's dad, the author of many Psalms explained 'justice' and 'righteousness' as the legs of God's throne. The metaphor indicates these virtues are His supports, upholding God Himself.