I like knowing, being informed, understanding history, economics, perspectives—even how to build a website. But. While I do get a degree of satisfaction out of those pursuits, they all are really somewhat vain—like dressing up your pig with nowhere to go. Many of us pursue something that we think will enhance our sense of identity, worth, value, acceptability but eventually come to discover as Solomon that most pursuits are ‘a chasing after the wind’ which is a phrase he repeats nine times in the book of Ecclesiastes (1:14, 17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 6:9).
But, lest we conclude that intellect is the only vanity, the Apostle Paul observes to the church in Corinth that there were those who pursued signs and others that sought wisdom as the answer to their questions for life. The Jews had become accustomed to a God they identified with power, miracles, deliverance from oppressors but contrary to that were the non-Jews (Gentiles) such as the Greeks who gave themselves over to applying philosophy and knowledge to arrive at a worthwhile course for life.
Paul then appeals to what was behind Door #3 as God’s answer to resolving life under the sun.
He is not saying that God does not use signs or wisdom but that God’s methodology for resolving life’s greatest problem is something so profound, so simple, so costly that it has no natural appeal to anyone seeking to resolve life on their own abilities. While the Lᴏʀᴅ has both power and wisdom, that is not the means of resolving the stumbling block between man and God. ‘Christ crucified’ appeals to none-of-the-above yet it is essential for God’s restoration of relationship with those who have tried to live life without God’s counsel. The affront in a crucified Christ is that it demands recognition that we are too weak, too powerless, too lacking in wisdom to save ourselves. Hence, the Lᴏʀᴅ is both wiser and stronger than we folks.
At what point will we admit to ourselves that we have failed and will continue to fail if we do not accept God’s resolution of our condition and then live in Him with His enabling? What is it that appeals to you more than God’s way of provision? How can you resolve?
FOOTNOTES
1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (ESV) – https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/1co/1/22-25/s_1063022
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
… they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness
“When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have
…but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands. Therefore my people
And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. … God left him to himself, in order to test him and to
And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and