2 Men—2 Directions We find in the scriptures 2 men that lived a particular direction of life, that changed their direction in life. These men are Solomon and Paul. Mankind has continual choices to make in life. He can choose to serve God, his Creator, or choose any of the many alternatives. We are made in the image of God, along with a shell of flesh. This gives man his greatest challenge; to be more like God, or to yield to the whims of fleshly desires. You cannot do both, without serving your own self/will. That is another alternative to God. Let’s look at how these two men determined their course in life:

Solomon 1 Kngs. 3:28;4:29,30,34 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. 29 ¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. The world knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. But Solomon wanted more! He desired the knowledge of the men/world! Eccl. 1:3, 9, 14

Solomon 1 Kngs. 3:28;4:29,30,34 The world knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. But Solomon wanted more! He desired the knowledge of the men/world! Eccl. 1:3, 9, 14 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 9 ¶ The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Solomon gained it all! But he discovered that these things were all “VANITY”, meaningless, serving no purpose. This was the result of his search for happiness “under the sun”. Eccl. 1:15-18.

Solomon 1 Kngs. 3:28;4:29,30,34 The world knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. But Solomon wanted more! He desired the knowledge of the men/world! Eccl. 1:3, 9, 14 Solomon gained it all! But he discovered that these things were all “VANITY”, meaningless, serving no purpose. This was the result of his search for happiness “under the sun”. Eccl. 1: That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Solomon 1 Kngs. 3:28;4:29,30,34 The world knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. But Solomon wanted more! He desired the knowledge of the men/world! Eccl. 1:3, 9, 14 Solomon gained it all! But he discovered that these things were all “VANITY”, meaningless, serving no purpose. This was the result of his search for happiness “under the sun”. Eccl. 1: That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Man’s wisdom brought him “much grief”, much knowledge “sorrow”.

Solomon’s Quest In Life He searched after pleasures, wealth, and entertainment for happiness, Eccl. 2: ¶ I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

Solomon’s Quest In Life He searched after pleasures, wealth, and entertainment for happiness, Eccl. 2: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

Solomon’s Quest In Life He searched after pleasures, wealth, and entertainment for happiness, Eccl. 2: And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. NOTE: All was vanity and vexation of spirit. No comfort or joy is there. There are 44 references in these 2 chapters referring to himself…what he did…what he acquired, etc.

Solomon I find Solomon an interesting man. A man richly blessed with God’s wisdom and direction from a young age, that he might rule over God’s nation. We see evidence of this wisdom as he pronounced judgment in the case of a mother and her child, and another woman claiming to be the mother, having lost her child. Yet, with such wisdom, Solomon sought more! He wanted to know everything “under the sun”. We read of his great accomplishments in that quest in the book of Ecclesiastes. Some would say that he had it all. He did! While some seek happiness in earthly knowledge, in entertainment, in work with its gain, in fame, in fortune, Solomon acquired it all, yet declared each and the culmination of all, as being “vanity and vexation of the spirit”. Solomon let these enticements lead him into multiple marriages, idolatry, and a departure from God’s wisdom. Yet these are what many people today search after. They believe such will give them great happiness in life. In the last chapter, Solomon comments on the reading of books, as being folly, and realized his own folly. Notice:

Eccl. 12: And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Paul and Saul of Tarsus As Saul of Tarsus, Paul was known to be a devout Jew. He was an educated man from what we’d call a university, studying under Gamaliel. Acts 22:3. 3 ¶ I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. This man was convicted enough that he sought to persecute Christians, as a religious responsibility. But while on his way to Damascus, the Lord confronted him. Acts 22:10. And, his life changed forever! 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

Paul the Changed Man Instead of persecuting Christians, he became one. He spoke of this journey, 1 Cor. 9: ¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. He spoke of our life as a race to be run. All need to run that race!

Paul the Changed Man Instead of persecuting Christians, he became one. He spoke of this journey, 1 Cor. 9: Phil. 1:18-30, Paul speaks of his life in Christ. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 ¶ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Paul the Changed Man Instead of persecuting Christians, he became one. He spoke of this journey, 1 Cor. 9: Phil. 1:18-30, Paul speaks of his life in Christ. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. 27 ¶ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Paul the Changed Man Instead of persecuting Christians, he became one. He spoke of this journey, 1 Cor. 9: Phil. 1:18-30, Paul speaks of his life in Christ. 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Is your manner of life worthy of the gospel?

Paul’s Message 1 Cor. 11:1 1 ¶ Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Cor. 3:2-3 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. People should see Christ living in me!

Paul’s Message 1 Cor. 11:1 2 Cor. 3:2-3 People should see Christ living in me! Gal. 5:24-25 Don’t revive the old man that was crucified! Walk after the Spirit! 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Eph. 4:13-15 Grow to the stature of Christ!

Paul’s Message 1 Cor. 11:1 2 Cor. 3:2-3 People should see Christ living in me! Gal. 5:24-25 Don’t revive the old man that was crucified! Walk after the Spirit! Eph. 4:13-15 Grow to the stature of Christ! 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Are we what God chose us to be?

Conclusion Here we have seen two men of the scriptures. Solomon, was of a fine Jewish family, of the kings tribe, Judah. He was granted wisdom from God to rule God’s people. But, Solomon sought man’s wisdom and knowledge above that of God’s. He was not happy to just have God’s input. The result was a divided kingdom & a very unhappy life! Paul, on the other hand, had learned the ways of men, being an educated man. BUT, he learned the way of God, and changed his life accordingly. He sought the wisdom of God, those things above, things in Christ and spoke of “winning the prize”, eternal life! He spoke of the joy before him. He was Christ-like, and crucified his flesh! His home would be Heaven. Which is more important to you; knowledge of man/worldly things, or God/things of above?

Conclusion Which is more important to you? – knowledge of man/worldly things (music, books, work, entertainment, recreation), or – God/things of above? (faith, virtue, knowledge, peace, longsuffering, temperance, kindness, charity, etc.) What have you occupied your time with?