Is There A Premium On Ignorance?

Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich, and your riches have made you very proud. [Ezekiel 28.5]

Is there a premium on ignorance?

Wisdom can lead to pride. Like the king of Tyre to whom Ezekiel 28.5 was addressed, we have another record of one who was very wise but fell to the sin of pride: Solomon. 1 Kings 11.1-10 details how Solomon's wisdom led to riches that eventually led to pride.

In both these examples, pride was the downfall. In both theses examples, wisdom and riches preceded that downfall. In both cases wisdom led to riches.

Does this mean that wisdom and riches will always lead to pride? Of course not, however, it does mean that if you walk in a pit of snakes, you might get bitten. In other words, if we pursue wisdom and riches, we are precariously walking in pride's 'pit of snakes.'

So, again, is there a premium on ignorance? I really want to say, "no," but I cannot find the dogma within me to do so. However, pride may actually 'set in' before the riches do...

Pride might be found in the motivation for wisdom. Is that motivation for wisdom to serve God or to get rich?

Ironically, in the Proverbs of Solomon, we find the following verse:

First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. [Proverbs 30.8]

Hmm...

Father, as I learn more and more about You... May the knowledge and wisdom that I learn from You and Your Word be found in pursuit of Your Kingdom and in no way in pursuit of riches.