The dilemma over the wise and proper request in response to that question can be found in many stories such as that of the genie in the lamp. The first human impulse would probably be to ask for wealth, power, prestige or long life. Solomon, however, was made of better stuff than that. He recognized the fleeting and limited nature of all of the usual human wishes.
Looking back on his life, Solomon was aware that God had always been there for his father David and for him. God had blessed both abundantly and had already given so much. Solomon opted for the quality of wisdom. In this case, wisdom was the ability to live and govern in a righteous, just and compassionate manner and to judge correctly between right and wrong.
He knew that wisdom would not wear out. If properly cultivated it could enable him to be productive and to have a positive impact on the lives of countless others. Solomon wanted to be a good leader and not just a powerful king. Although this sounds to us like a very simple request, it was asking a lot. It was worth far more than money or power and was more difficult to deliver than the lives of Solomon’s enemies. God was greatly pleased with Solomon’s reply. We can only wonder what God’s reaction would have been if Solomon had made the more predictable choice. Solomon was known in his own lifetime and long afterwards for his wisdom and sound judgment. Later traditions and legends even attributed esoteric knowledge and magical powers to him.
Unfortunately, in the declining years of his reign, Solomon’s wisdom deserted him. His heart had strayed in a big way from the path of God. Any great quality must be nurtured and cared for — it can never be taken for granted. Perhaps our own requests of God could focus less on making things happen the way we want them to and more on the gift of human qualities that can be a source of blessings for others.
Part of wisdom consists in being able to recognize the presence and hand of God in all things and in all situations. God’s plan for humanity has been unfolding for eons and continues to do so. There is no need to be fainthearted before our long and often arduous journey to God. We have already been chosen by God. Amidst the chaos and mess of our world and sometimes our lives, all things will ultimately work in our favour if we do the one thing that God asks of us — love God and love others. Love is the golden lifeline that God has thrown to us.
The kingdom of heaven and God’s plan are indeed mysterious, and Jesus usually resorted to metaphors and similes when speaking of them. The usual reaction to finding a treasure buried in a field would be to dig it up and make off with it. The parable insisted that the man had to rebury the treasure and then at great sacrifice and expense buy the field. The treasure did not belong to him, nor was it his for the taking. He had to be willing to make the appropriate sacrifices and changes in his life to earn the right to enjoy the treasure. When the merchant found the extremely valuable pearl, he was forced to sell everything in order to possess it. It didn’t just drop into his hands. There are no quick fixes to the human condition. Shortcuts to God are an illusion. We begin to enter the kingdom of God when it becomes so desirable and important that everything else pales in comparison. We are ready to sacrifice even what we had previously coveted or esteemed.
The great treasure and the pearl are clearly union and harmony with God. We experience this to the degree that we are willing and able to let go and allow God to both fill and transform us.