Solomon’s Four Wonderful Things

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olomon is recognized as a man of wisdom because God gave him wisdom beyond any other mere person on earth. However, Solomon’s wisdom had its limitations, and he mentions four things that he did not understand. He wrote: “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin” (Proverbs 30:18,19).

Why were these too wonderful to understand? Please consider these four things briefly.

1. The Way of An Eagle—

Have you ever watched the graceful flight of an eagle as it glides across the sky? These matchless birds display a wing span from four to eight feet long, and are noted for their strength, courage, and eyesight that can see and catch their prey while flying just above the surface of the water. The author of Deuteronomy gives us the following comparison of an eagle:

“As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the LORD alone led him, and there was no foreign god with him” (Deuteronomy 32:11,12). The eagle is truly one of the many examples of God’s creation.

2. The Way of a Serpent on a Rock—

Most of us cannot stand the sight of serpents of any kind, because we think of them as being harmful. However, those who study them reveal that they have unique and superior ways. For example, there are 2,700 species of snakes, and the Python may grow 30 feet long. Snakes raise or lower their temperature by lying either in the sun or in the shade, and only about 15% have poisonous venom that can be deadly to people. Some snakes have a mouth capable of swallowing an animal larger than its head. Some are able to push their windpipes forward over their tongues so that their air will not be cut off while swallowing their food. Some snakes may have as many as 430 vertebrates on their spines.

2. The Way of a Ship in the Midst of the Sea—

Solomon was amazed at the powerful way of a ship. It has the capability of weathering storms, and going through all kinds of difficulties to complete its course. God has given mankind the intellect and the skills to build such vessels, and this was a wonderful thing to Solomon. He should see the wonders, size, and power of some of the ships that are sailing on the seas today!

3. The Way of a Man With a Virgin—

When God made man in the beginning, He saw that man was lonely, and then God made a special effort to correct it. This He did by making a woman from the man’s rib. From that day forward, many have enjoyed this God-given union, as the wonders of this relationship continue. Not only can this experience bring happiness, but it is also God’s way of continuing the human race. God gives His blessings to true marriages today. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Therefore, when this relationship is kept within God’s, it is a beautiful and wonderful thing. When sin enters a marriage, there is unhappiness and God is NOT pleased.

As Solomon thought on these four wonderful things, he must have praised the power of the God who made them! —BBBristow