Monthly Devotional – November 2024

The Wisdom of Solomon

The importance of wisdom is emphasized in the Entered Apprentice and Master Mason degrees, where it is one of the vast columns supporting our institution and is represented both by the Worshipful Master and King Solomon.  Solomon had become King of Israel after the death of his father David; soon after, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon answered that he desired a discerning heart to govern and to be able to distinguish between right and wrong.  The Lord was so pleased with this unselfish response that he gave Solomon the wisest and most discerning heart that anyone has ever had, and also what he had not requested, unequalled wealth and honor.  With his wisdom, Solomon wrote the Books of Proverbs and Song of Solomon and became renowned throughout the world.  After meeting him, the Queen of Sheba said that his wisdom and wealth far exceeded the report she had heard and that there was no question he could not answer.  But the Lord had made one additional promise:   that if he walked in obedience to God and kept His decrees and commands, he would receive a long life, and that is where Solomon fell short.  He did not study the book of the law as he had been commanded and began to rely on himself rather than God.  Worse, he succumbed to his weakness for women and acquired hundreds of wives, many of whom were pagan and turned his heart away from the Lord.  At the end of his life, he laments his errors as written in the Book of Ecclesiastes.  What does Solomon’s downfall teach us Masons?

First, that the associations we have are important.  We need to surround ourselves with Godly people who will help us stay on the right path.  Our closing charge refers to them when it mentions “the household of the faithful”.  That is why we always are careful to watch well the West Gate, and why we learned at an early age and have taught our children also to choose friends wisely.  Many times, I watch shows where people have gotten in bad trouble because they became involved with the wrong kind of people.  We Masons are the right kind of people and should govern ourselves as such.  Second, we should remember that everything we have is a gift from God, that what we have achieved has been with His help, and that we should continually seek His guidance and assistance.  As Solomon wrote in the third chapter of Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

In closing, I would like to thank Most Worshipful Jack Kayle Lewis for the opportunity to minister to your spiritual needs, and to the many brethren who have written with encouragement and constructive advice.  I encourage all Lodge Chaplains to provide this type of assistance to their members.  The past year has been the highlight of my Masonic career.  Thank you!

Please direct any comments or questions about this message to tvarner536@aol.com.

Thomas L. Varner Jr.
Grand Chaplain

This monthly devotional has been approved by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Jack Kayle Lewis. It is the latest in a series discussing Biblical references in our ritual.