Much Wisdom Much Grief - Ecclesiastes 1:18

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit”, and in chapter one and verse eighteen of his book Solomon said, “in much wisdom is much grief”, where we read,

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.

The verse reads, “For in much wisdom is much grief:” Solomon began with the words, “for in much wisdom”  or “because, since and on account that within a multitude, abundant and great amount of skill, prudence and understanding” “is much grief” which means “exists an abundant and great amount of vexation, frustration and provocation”. Solomon said a great amount of skill and prudence is accompanied by exceedingly great frustration and vexation. 

The verse continues, “and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.” Daniel added  the words, “and he that increases knowledge” or “and he, the person, who adds, exceeds, and joins himself to perception, skill, discernment and understanding” “increases sorrow” which means “adds, exceeds and joins himself to pain, affliction and anguish”. Solomon concluded that an exceeding amount of pain and affliction accompanies the person who exceeds in skill and discernment. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon made conclusions concerning a great amount of “wisdom” and “knowledge”. He said people who excel in an abundant way in “wisdom” and “knowledge” also excel in “frustration and affliction”. Perhaps he knew this personally as he pursued both “wisdom and knowledge” more than anyone else at that time. God is aware of the desire to have “skill, prudence, perception and discernment”, and we should remember that He knows all things that people seek. His desire is to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him, we have yielded to the greatest “wisdom and knowledge” available, and He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth according to His desire for our lives.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon say, “I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".