Wisdom of Solomon
Lucky number 13! Okay, right. I don't believe in numerology. Although, numbers are significant, I am unsure divination are their purpose.
Anyway - digressing again! (You've caught on already that I like to follow bunny trails.)
The first line gets you right off the bat. This claims that "all men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature," but the New Testament tells us that our nature is foolish. Our natural state of flesh is utter foolishness. It wants what it wants and will do whatever it takes to get it. With knowledge of God, however, we gain all we need for a life independent of our desires. The second part of the line is important, however. How can one, while continuing to look at the Creation, not recognize or acknowledge the Creator? And I agree with verse two - how could one assume that the Creation were better than the Creator? Who could be so foolish?
There are thoughtful prayers in verses three and four, "let them know how much better than these is their Lord,for the author of beauty created them," and "let them perceive from them how much more powerful is he who formed them." Verse five contains a most excellent point as well, "For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator." How can we not understand the nature of the Creator by viewing the Created? How can we rightly love the Creation while ignoring the Creator? It is certainly a disrespect of the Creation itself, let alone the Creator.
It is empathetic in part to its understanding to even today's seeker with "hopes set on dead things." Interesting to not that the idolator prays - just as much as the believer - and for the same things - "his marriage and children, for life...for aid...for a prosperous journey...for money-making, and work and success," - and then the illogic of it all - to pray to something that can not love, has never experienced sickness or sin, or has never taken a step, nor can work. And excellent line, "for life he prays to a thing that is dead." Asking for something from something that can not give it - what a colossal waste of time!
We must know our Lord is one who has experienced our life and has experience in the things we ask Him for. We may know through the life of Jesus that He knows us and our experience intimately so that He is the right one to ask for help from. He has loved, He has created a child, He has made journeys, He has been prosperous and poor, He has experienced our sin and sickness in His suffering and death, and He has worked - worked so hard to gain our attention. He, Lord of all, must know - and not merely through observation, but practical experience. We do not go to an uneducated, inexperienced "mentor" for help, but seek out those who demonstrate they know what they are doing. How much has the Lord demonstrated? We can trust Him.
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