Wisdom Wears a Smile

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Man’s ability to understand was pictured by the ancients (20th century cartoonists) as the cerebral light bulb. If the Bible was comics, the bulb floating above Solomon’s head would be 1000 watts, for God had turnt it all the way up.

He enjoyed the experience many times and describes it brilliantly, as quoted above. When we finally understand something that has been troubling or eluding us, our hardened scowl of confusion is eased and lifted by the lightness of comprehension.

Though we may hide it well on our faces, none can hide the furrowed brow of the soul. If we wish to find ourselves in a lighter frame of spirit, Solomon points the way: wisdom. We have but to ask, and we, like he, will have our generous share from God.

We may be haunted by unpleasant facts, but God’s gift of wisdom arranges all facts so we can read the greater fact or meaning in every thing, which is undoubtedly the glory of God in Christ for our good.