Solomon sought fulfillment in entertainment, wealth, building great monuments and sex. In the end, everything he did for himself was a disappointment. We will fare no better if we think the things of this world will satisfy our craving desires.

Even though Solomon had everything the world could offer, when he sought lasting joy and peace in his earthly wealth, he felt empty. This king who once prayed for wisdom proved to be the fool. Let us learn from his mistakes not to try to find fulfillment in the fleeting things of this world, but in God alone.

For freedom Christ has set us free! Paul gets a little testy with his children in the faith who were testing him and took to task those who were leading them astray from Christ. We will learn how to use our freedom to honor God in Christ Jesus without forfeiting the blessings of His love.

We return to Proverbs 8:35-36, where we hear the Second Person of the Trinity tell us, from before the beginning of time, the blessings of Wisdom. May we seek to live in a way that brings God's life and love to bear on those around us, and by so doing, enrich and enliven them as He has us.

A most blessed spouse is described for us in this passage. The greatest earthly blessing we can attain in this life, besides the gift of salvation itself, is a godly spouse. Here, she is described in beautiful poetry, as a blessed gift from the Most High.

We grow in our understanding of God as Father when we consider the significance of God's invitation to pray to Him as, "Abba," "Father." This old Aramaic word is rich with meaning, all of it pertinent to a mature understanding of our relationship with God.

This prophet's identity, place and time have been lost to history. Yet, the wisdom of his words endure! He challenges the godly with "number" proverbs. These riddles give us much to ponder as we persist in patient faithfulness.

Worldly "wisdom" teaches that might makes right. In this final chapter of Solomon's proverbs, we are reminded that only the righteous will endure forever. God's promised justice brings His children comfort, even, maybe most especially, when they suffer for righteousness, as Jesus did.