In the Stillness of he Temple, King Solomon’s Ageless Counsel

Wisdom and insights, like a bridge over troubled waters

echoes of pentecost Day 45 — June 04, 2025

The human story is often etched in displacement, in journeys forced by circumstances, leaving behind homes and familiar tongues. Now, consider the doubly displaced – those within Vietnam who are not only uprooted but also navigate the world in silence. For them, the challenges of rebuilding life are compounded by barriers of communication, often leaving them further adrift. In such dire circumstances, where can one find a guiding light, a source of enduring wisdom, if not from the ageless counsel of King Solomon?

Son of David and third king of Israel, renowned for his wit and wealth, penned Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs – verses that confront the fundamental truths of life amidst life’s fleeting nature, and the beauty of human connection. For the displaced and deaf in Vietnam, accessing this wisdom has often been twice as challenging – through unfamiliar spoken languages and written Scripture.

The introspective tone of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, emphasizing the value of companionship and collaboration, if signed in a language the deaf can clearly understand, could provide true comfort and resilience in the face of discrimination from the majority hearing community.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NLT

Solomon also highlights the strength found in relationships, illustrating that support and mutual assistance can provide comfort and resilience in life’s challenges. His verses convey the idea that “togetherness” enhances our ability to overcome difficulties, while solitude can lead to vulnerability and isolation.

With the use of evocative language in Song of Songs 8:7, Solomon beautifully captures the bonds of love and kinship within deaf families who have endured displacement together – a powerful affirmation for those who rely on non-verbal expressions of affection.

As Solomon “decided” in Ecc. 2:24, there is nothing better than enjoying the gifts from God, finding satisfaction in the act of giving a verse or even a *chapter today.

(*Average number of verses in a chapter: 44)