Interlude 1.3: Twisted Wisdom – When More Is Never Enough
Bible Study | Ecclesiastes Wilderness Series
A Reflection on Solomon’s Craving, Ecclesiastes, and the Price of Disordered Desire
Interlude 1.3: Twisted Wisdom – When More Is Never Enough
Solomon wanted more—wives, wealth, wisdom—and it left him empty. This post examines the root of spiritual craving and how the fear of Yahweh is the only path to peace.
INTRODUCTION
Solomon had wisdom.
But it got twisted.
He had wealth.
But it wasn’t enough.
He had women—hundreds of wives, and even more concubines.
But still, he wanted more.
And by the end of his days, the man who once built Yahweh’s house was wandering through halls of his own making, muttering into the shadows:
“All is vanity…”
“There is nothing new under the sun…”
“The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.”
— Ecclesiastes 1:8
This is the ache of twisted wisdom—
when the heart that was once devoted becomes divided.
Yahweh Gave Him Wisdom. But He Craved More.
“Yahweh appeared to Shelomoh… and said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’”
— 1 Kings 3:5
Solomon asked for a wise and understanding heart—and Yahweh gave it.
But somewhere along the way,
he stopped seeking Yahweh, and started seeking everything else.
More wives.
More cities.
More gold.
More influence.
More insights.
More opinions.
And more always ends in emptiness when Yahweh is no longer enough.
“I kept my heart from no pleasure… but look, all was vanity.”
— Ecclesiastes 2:10–11
Twisted Wisdom Is Still Preached Today
Many today claim Solomon’s wisdom—
but walk in his confusion.
They build ministries but never stop building altars to self.
They preach understanding, but crave admiration.
They seek more knowledge, more success, more validation.
And all the while, they are starving.
Because wisdom without fear becomes futility.
And gift without intimacy becomes idolatry.
The Root Was Always the Heart
“He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.”
— 1 Kings 11:3
Solomon didn’t lose his wisdom.
He lost his allegiance.
And the moment our heart begins to want more than Yahweh,
our wisdom begins to work against us.
Philosopher with Mirror
| Jusepe de Ribera
We see deeper, but obey less.
We know better, but surrender slower.
We multiply blessings, but cannot find rest.
“And I turned myself to see wisdom, and madness, and folly…”
— Ecclesiastes 2:12
That’s the moment the spiral begins—
when wisdom begins to reach for folly,
just to try and understand it.
Ecclesiastes Shows Us What Happens When the Gift Outlives the Love
Solomon had access to wisdom,
but not the fear that preserves it.
He tried to hold both insight and indulgence.
But wisdom is not a possession—it is a path.
And when we leave the path,
even the best gift will burn us.
But Yahweh Is Still Merciful
Solomon’s craving made him hollow,
but Yahweh still left the final verse of Ecclesiastes as a doorway back:
“Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:13
This is the invitation—
To untwist the wisdom.
To return to reverence.
To believe again that Yahweh is enough.
Because when Yahweh is enough,
we stop needing more… and start walking in power again.
Titled: Heilige Hieronymus en de trompet (Dutch for, Saint Jerome and the Trumpet)
He cloaked himself in Scripture but distorted the Spirit of it. A man of intellect, not intimacy. A scholar, not a servant.
And sadly, many revere him as a "Doctor of the Church"—but what did he doctor? He cut open the Word and stitched it back together with Roman thread. He chose the seat of influence over the feet of the Messiah. His Vulgate translation became a cornerstone of institutional power, not spiritual freedom.
So when we see paintings of him with the trumpet of judgment—it’s ironic. Because if that trumpet sounded then, it would not have praised his elevation. It would have called him to account.
Read More Here
ROOTED IN THE WORD
“The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom.” — Proverbs 9:10
“And he shall not multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” — Deuteronomy 17:17
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the sources of life.” — Proverbs 4:23
“All is vanity and a striving after wind.” — Ecclesiastes 1:14
“Fear Elohim and guard His commands.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13
GRACE Method™ Reflection on Twisted Wisdom…
And Here We Find Grace…
GRACE perfectly encapsulates the transition from striving, to resting, in God's presence—which is at the heart of the message. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it's through His grace that we are able to move from struggle to peace. I invite you to pause and reflect on God's presence, how you can connect to God’s grace in a meaningful way.
Our GRACE Method™ is meant to encourage you so you can experience YHWH, Immanuel, and the Holy Spirit, in a deeper way, on a regular basis, through thought provoking Bible Study, Prayer, education, and Worship.
G – Grounded in Scripture
Ecclesiastes 1–2, 12;
1 Kings 3 & 11
Proverbs 9
R – Reflecting on Context
Solomon was given wisdom as a gift, but he twisted it with desire. Instead of resting in the Giver of the all, he craved more—and it led him into a spiral of confusion. This same temptation pulls at leaders, believers, and even the prophets of today.
A – Applying to Your Life
Have I twisted what Yahweh gave me by chasing more?
Have I confused blessing with permission to indulge?
Do I still fear Yahweh, or have I wandered from the path?
C – Communing with God
Father, forgive me for twisting what You gave. Show me every place where my heart has wanted more than You. Realign my desires. Let wisdom lead me back to holy fear, in Yahushua’s name, Amen!
E – Exalting God
Yahweh, You are enough. Your wisdom is holy. I exalt You above my cravings, above my ambitions, above everything I once thought I needed. I return to You, in Yahushua’s name, Amen!
PERSONAL DECLARATION
I will not twist the wisdom You gave me.
I will not multiply desires You never called me to carry.
I will not crave more when You are enough.
I return to fear. I return to holiness.
I untwist every lie in the light of Your truth.
In Yahushua’s Name, Amein.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
The hunger for “more” is killing the fire in many hearts.
Share this post with someone who needs to be reminded that wisdom is not for wandering. It’s for walking in the fear of Yahweh.
Let’s return before the gift becomes our downfall.
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