Posted by We are currently witnessing a culture where many tend to dismiss previous generations as “ignorant” outdated and irrelevant.
Many believe education and self-evaluation alone is the answer to everything. I’m in the second half of my life, and learned many things that educational systems cannot teach.
Wisdom, instincts and common sense are usually learned outside the classroom. I’m certainly all for earning a degree or two and encourage others to pursue them.
Over the years I’ve learned that knowledge by research and formal education can be taught. Wisdom however, by observation and practical experience must be caught.
In the western hemisphere education centers on the acquisition of knowledge, many nations in the east center education on the pursuit of wisdom.
A Case in Point
In First Kings 11 we have an instance where Rehoboam the son of Solomon ascends the throne, and has an opportunity to strengthen his administration by granting a reasonable request from a coalition of leaders.
He consults the elders who served with his father and possessed a deposit of Solomon’s wisdom, as well as their combined experience.
Rehoboam then consults the young men of his own generation who were his peers, and lacked the experience and wisdom of the older generation.
Rehoboam rejects the council of the the older more experienced leaders in favor of his younger less experienced friends.
This unwise decision results in splitting the kingdom in two, the northern kingdom (Israel) and his own southern kingdom (Judah).
Had Rehoboam only heeded the words of his father king Solomon who taught him, “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
To understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:2-7
Solomon also said, “Wisdom is the principle thing.” …Just a thought. -JSP
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