Article December 3, 1955 Issue

UNDERSTANDING AND INTELLECTUALITY

ESTHER DAVIS EDDY

When confronted with the task of assuming the government of a large nation, King Solomon asked God for an understanding heart. Because he prayed aright, his prayer was answered. Not only was the king given the understanding for which he asked, but also he was given great wealth and power and was promised a long life if he kept God's commandments. How wise is the individual who discerns his need for understanding and who turns to God to supply it. In Proverbs we read (4: 7), "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Spiritual understanding is not mere intellectuality. No amount of human study and research can bring forth the understanding which is divine wisdom. This spiritual quality belongs to divine Mind, God, who imparts it to man, His image and likeness. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 505), "Spirit imparts the understanding which uplifts consciousness and leads into all truth." And she adds in the next paragraph, "This understanding is not intellectual, is not the result of scholarly attainments; it is the reality of all things brought to light."

Solomon, the wise man, surely could have found in his vast kingdom many men of letters, skilled and trained in every profession. But wisdom told him that it was not human knowledge which was needed in order to bring to his nation the just and wise government needed. He prayed (I Kings 3:9), "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." Solomon knew that spiritual understanding alone can discern between good and evil. How right he was and how well he was able to bring justice to his people is shown in the Scriptural narrative of two women who claimed parentage of the same child.

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