According to the King James translation of the biblical text Solomon who is traditionally accepted as the author of Ecclesiastes is referred to as the Preacher. Many of us are familiar with the story of how Solomon requested Wisdom over wealth and how the LORD granted him Wisdom like no man had before him or any man after him save Jesus Christ. In the eighteenth verse of the first chapter the text says, "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow." When, I paused to meditate on that for a moment this morning it made more and more sense as I reflected upon it. For example, once one becomes aware of the poverty and disease in Africa one's sorrow increases. Once one becomes aware of how many kids are homeless in one's very own neighborhood one's sorrow increases.
On the flip side of the text once God gives you wisdom to discern the truth it saddens your heart for those who operate without it. God offers to give it liberally to those who ask for it. Once one knows better one is required to do better for some this can be grievous. These words don't have much merit to you consider who Solomon was. Solomon had everything you could ever dream of times ten and to top it off he had a surplus of Wisdom. He is speaking from what he had experienced not from what he had heard so we would be wise to learn from the Preacher. For Solomon whatever you could desire whether it was wisdom which led to grief or knowledge which lead to sorrow or wealth which were vanity none of it had in value in Solomon's opinion. The whole purpose for existing was to fear God and keep his commands. Solomon says that this is the whole duty of man. Let's take the preacher's advice.
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
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